Marble elevator

myminifactory

I decided to surprise my grandkids with a thrilling marble lift and printed three snail transports combined onto a threaded M4 rod. The enclosure features a marble IN section and a marble OUT piece, linked by three extensions using connecting components. Standard glass 16 mm marbles fit perfectly, but smaller ones are also lifted effortlessly. All parts print easily without supports but with high infill to make them sturdy. If the 14 cm height is too much for your printer, simply shorten the extensions and use an additional connecting element. For some printers, it's a good idea to add a 10mm brim at the base of the extensions and screw. The M4 threaded rod has a 2mm diameter hole at the bottom to secure it to the motor connector with a 2mm bolt, ensuring it stays in place even when loaded. The motor is a geared DC motor. Since not all motors are identical, I've included relevant OpenSCAD files for adapting shaft diameter, mounting holes, and more. As marbles enter the elevator, they push each other out. Use your imagination and available materials like wood or tubing to create an engaging marble run around this lift. Many examples can be found on Thingiverse.