Flex rails for Fischertechnik track ball system.

thingiverse

Flex rails for Fischertechnik track ball system. The original flex rails are only available in two sizes. By creating multiple lengths via 3D printing, you gain numerous possibilities for building the ball track. Bending the original flex rails is not always easy. That's why I designed several circular versions here. They are available in 90, 180, and 270 degrees. The diameters are 60, 90, and 120mm. Although they are not intended to bend further to another diameter, it remains possible. You can place the 60, 90, and 120mm nicely in a circle, making a nice track possible. I also designed a number of new blocks to make using the flex rails easier. There's also a side-left stop plate that allows you to better align the rails and keep them in place. A block has been made with a 7.5° inclination according to the normal angle at which the balls run. This replaces an FT-38428 and an FT-32071 block. Another new block is a 37.5mm version of the FT-35079 but equipped with two pins. This makes the block more secure. It is also made with one pin as an alternative. The circular flex rails have a different height for the inside and outside edge. The inside has the same value as the original FT rail, 4mm, but the outside edge has 6mm. This allows a higher speed in the curve without the balls flying out. Several small details on the flex rails make them stronger to use. Small roundings are used, and the thickness of the base is slightly increased. The end of the rail is then slightly chamfered so that they are at the same height as the original rails. I use a rectangular inlay profile for the pins. This is done to better adapt printing deviations. All parts are tested and optimized for the Fashforge Finder 3D printer, requiring no finishing. All flex rails are printed with 100% fill. I use PolyMaker polymax PLA because it is much stronger (9x) than regular PLA. The temperature is 210 degrees, with no Brim or Wall, print speed 60mm/s, Travel speed 80mm/s, Layer Height 0.18mm, First Layer Height 0.25mm. To avoid distortion, I use a Pelikan Pelifix glue pen to lubricate the 3D print plate. Because the Finder does not have a heated table, I heat the plate by keeping it under flowing hot water. The temperature is around 40-50 degrees at the start of printing, resulting in perfect 3D prints.