Abacus variants

thingiverse

Choose your desired abacus size and download the corresponding FRAME, ROD, and BEAD files, ensuring they match in style. Then print the frame only once, followed by rods based on the chosen abacus size using a printer program with auto-spacing if available. Next, print beads according to your abacus type and size. Assemble the abacus by turning the frame over, sliding loaded beads onto each rod before inserting them into the frame's slots. Apply glue on the slot of the frame and wait for it to set. Any glue will work; PVA is recommended due to its affordability, availability, and water-solubility in case of errors. The bead order depends on the abacus type: Base 10 abaci follow a sequence of 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0; all base 5 abaci (except Soroban-style) have beads in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 at the bottom and 5, blank at the top; Soroban-style follows a bead arrangement of 4, 3, 2, 1 at the bottom and 5 at the top. Note that an updated version with a break-apart design for smaller printers is under development and will be released soon.