Marblevator Mini, Loop

youmagine

Human: Marble machines can get too fast for comfort. Check out the "Marblevator Mini, Loop High Speed Test" video at 324,000 marble runs per day - that's my fastest design yet:\n\n.\n\nThe stress test is also impressive:\n\n\n\nAnd here's the normal test:\n\n\n\nI had to brush up on physics for this project...\n\n"Marblevator Mini, Loop" isn't as compact as I've made before, but it's still small and features a 7.5mm radius loop with a tapered auger lift. Using simple physics equations, the height of the entrance ramp (H) is determined by H = 2.7R (where R is the radius of the loop). My desire for a compact design set the loop radius at 7.5mm and ball bearing diameter at 8mm. To compensate for friction, especially on a 3D printed track in this orientation, I increased the height of the ramp over the calculated height of (2.7 * 7.5mm) or 20.25mm.\n\nThe "Marblevator Mini, Loop Stress Test" video shows the stress test running for 29 hours and still going strong. The auger rotates at about 75rpm, which translates to 75 marble runs per minute. At this rate, Marblevator Mini, Loop has executed (29 * 75 * 60) or 130,500 marble runs without losing a single marble.\n\nThis design requires just three 3D printed parts: base, track and auger. The track part may push your printer to its limits, so I've tested it with both PVA support and no support at .1 and .15mm layer heights. On my printers with PVA support, no filing or sanding was needed. If you print without support, you'll likely need to file and sand the inside edges of the track for reliable operation.\n\nAs usual, I probably missed a file or two - feel free to ask if you have any questions. I make plenty of mistakes!\n\nDesigned using Autodesk Fusion 360, sliced with Cura 3.3.1 and printed in PLA on both an Ultimaker 2+ Extended and an Ultimaker 3 Extended.