Bit:Pong

myminifactory

Hi everyone! As a Ping Pong fan, I'm excited to introduce you to a fun game that lets you play table tennis all by yourself. For once, you can challenge a partner who seems to be up to your skill level. The game is actually a miniature ping pong table. All you have to do is simulate a rally between the two sides of the net. The Micro:bit records the score and ends the game if you smash the ball twice in a row with the same side of the racket. This project requires careful assembly, so it might not work correctly for a long time. Feel free to share any ideas that could improve it! You'll need: 1. A 3D printer + filament (including transparent if possible) 2. A BBC Micro:bit 3. A 3V coin cell battery + coin cell holder 4. A transparent sheet protector 5. Aluminium foil 6. Glue 7. Crocodile clips + wires 8. Insulating adhesive tape Step 1: Print the parts. Simply download the STL file of the parts from this page. Next, you'll need to slice the parts. This means generating a code that represents your 3D part and tells your printer how to print it layer by layer. Make sure to use the right slicer for your 3D printer - if you're not sure, ask your teacher! Don't forget to print the Micro:bit case alone with transparent filament. If you don't have this type of filament, cut out an opening of 20x20mm to show the LEDs. Here are the settings for printing your parts: speed at 70 mm/s, 0.2mm layer height, 10% infill, and a temperature between 200°C and 240°C. Step 2: Assemble the parts. You can find instructions and pictures in the zip file. Step 3: Flash your Micro:bit. Download the code by clicking here or from this page. The code is explained below. Click on "Compile" to download the code onto your computer, then drag and drop it into the micro:bit icon on your computer section. Step 4: Have fun! Press the reset button to launch a new game and enjoy playing table tennis all by yourself.