Power Top

thingiverse

A Top that Uses Four Ball Bearings to Guide Balls to Center, Enabling Long-Lasting Spin Due to Reduced Power Requirements to Combat Torque Forces. Printer Settings: Printer: Da Vinci Jr 1.0 Rafts: No Supports: No Resolution: The Higher, the Better Infill: 10% or More for Optimal Results Notes: Four 3/8" Steel Ball Bearings are Required. Assembly: After Printing, Firmly Embed the Spindle into the Center Hole, Ensuring a Secure Fit. Tapping May Be Necessary to Achieve Proper Alignment. Insert Four 3/8" Steel Ball Bearings into Ramp Chambers for Smooth Operation. Spin and Enjoy Your Handiwork. Designing Along with Tips for Successful Slicing: After Several Failed Prints Due to Inadequate Slicing, I Discovered the Best Method to Create This Top. Begin by Drawing a Circle of Desired Size. Pull the Circle Up to 1/2" Height. If the Program Generates a Disc with Two Sides, Delete One Side as It Will Not Be Needed. View the Design from Inside the Disc for Perspective and Easy Navigation. Draw Four Rectangles (1/2" Mandatory by Maximum Length) in a Cross Pattern Without Touching Corners. This Ensures Smooth Slicing. Delete the Rectangles to Create Holes for Ball Bearings. From Inside, Draw Lines from Rectangle Edges to 1/2". The Inner Edges Will Determine Line Length Based on Desired Slope. Connect Lines to Complete Ball Chambers and Ensure Smooth Operation. Create a Square in the Center to Accept the Spindle. Push This Square Up by 1" from the Face for Proper Alignment. Draw a Line from the Center of the Face to the Fulcrum Location, Being Generous with the Radius. From the Fulcrum, Draw Lines to Each Vertex of the Non-Faced Circle. Use Equally Spaced Radii If Desired, Ensuring Smooth Operation. Adjust the Fulcrum to Sit Closest to Ramps Without Protruding. Mine Was 1 1/4" from the Faced Circle. Copy My Designed Spindle from the .SKP or .STL File for Use in Your Project. Optional Spin Technique with Twine: To Release the Top, Lift Slightly Upward While Pulling Equally on Both Ends of the Twine. The Twine Will Release Itself from the Spindle, Leaving the Top Spinning. Project: Power Top Project Name: Power Top with Ball Bearings to Assist in Maintaining Spin Power as Spin Decreases. Overview and Background: I Was Fascinated by the Idea of How Skaters' Spin Speed Increases When Bringing Arms In. This Involves Torque Forces and Their Relation to Spinning. This Top Can Be Designed with a Greater or Lesser Slope, Affecting Ball Movement and Torque Forces. Objectives: To Understand the Relationship Between Slope, Speed, Centripetal Force, and Torque. To Witness These Forces in Action. Audiences: Anyone Interested in Physics and Math. Grade 6+ With Ages 11+, Depending on Complexity. Subjects: Math, Physics, Engineering. Skills Learned (Standards): Slopes, Centripetal Force, Torque Force, Energy Formulas. Lesson/Activity: Chalkboard for Discussing Formulas Needed to Calculate Proper Slope. Computer and 3D-CAD Software for Designing the Top. 3D Printer to Create the Top When Finalized. Ball Bearings for Loading into the Top. Flat Level Surface for Spinning the Top. Length of Twine for Assisting in Spinning the Top. Duration: Approximately a Week, Depending on Access to Computers and Design Complexity. Preparation: Watch a Video of an Ice Skater as They Spin. Discuss the Science Behind How Arms Are Used to Increase/Decrease Spin Speed. Discuss Math Involved in the Science. Use Math to Design Parameters for Slope of Ramps in the Top. References: Any Source of Physics Formulas. Rubric and Assessment: Final Result Should Produce a Top That Either Increases Speed from Initial Spinning or Spins Significantly Longer Without Ball Bearings. Grading Based on How Long Tops Spin, Considering Differences in Initial Strength.