Make it Zip Expansion Pack (Zipline Project Instructions Included)

thingiverse

Here is part of an expansion pack that can be applied on ThinkFun Maker Studio sets. This pack adds base plates, pulley wheels, 90 degree connectors, and spacers/hubs that keep things in place. I used these parts to make a zip line, but you can create much more complex projects with this kit. The wheel design lets you use Maker Studio rods or connectors as guides that the wheel follows and rides on top of. The 90-degree connector allows for bigger builds, and everything was made to be printable on a single extrude printer with a bed size of 4x4x5 or more. There's a video coming up soon showing how it works. Special thanks go to my buddy Jake for lending me his 3D printer as I don't have one, and my teachers for helping with the project and printing some parts. My friends also helped along the way. Tomorrow, I will be uploading a PDF explaining how to construct this zipline. **Print Settings** * Rafts: Doesn't matter * Supports: Doesn't matter * Resolution: .2-.4 * Infill: 25% * Notes: You can print these parts with different settings. I have successfully printed versions of this project on a cube pro duo, a makerbot replicator 2, and a prusa i3. Experiment with various print settings to see what works best for your printer. If you're going to be loading the wheels like in my zip line project, I recommend using 2mm shells and 25% or more infill. **Post-Printing: Wheel Assembly** To assemble the wheel, align both halves, match the pegs, and push them together. You may need to use force if your printer isn't very accurate. For a stronger bond, you can also apply glue. For the zip line project, you'll need 2 Plates, 2 .3WheelInterior pieces, 2 .3WheelExterior pieces, 12 Spacers, and 2 90 degree connectors (optional) to act as handles. Additionally, you will need at least three or more connector rods, each measuring at least 1.5 inches from the ThinkFun set's default rods. To assemble the project: * Begin by inserting the connectors into a plate. The image for this is included below. * Place spacers against the plates on each rod to ensure they don't grind in as they moved during testing. This design helps with smoother movement of the trolley, thus ensuring it doesn’t fall off track while transporting load across. As shown earlier, I wanted to make a functional machine using the Maker Studio sets like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’s breakfast-making machine did relevant tasks on their set. By combining components in such innovative ways and by leveraging their strength with other designs made of stronger material than PLA - we get trolleys that carry weight incredibly well given its lightweight structure! With that as a background let's now delve deeper into my project timeline starting from getting Winches sets from Worcester local businesses and drafting up initial pieces until testing mk6 which had 10 foot line capabilities