Ring Launcher Project

prusaprinters

<p>This is an ultra-low-budget foam ring-launching STEM project. It has a range of about 5ft (2m) and is perfectly safe as the ring is foam. This was originally designed to inspire STEM learning through hands-on workshops with elementary to middle school age children. With a total unit cost of $1.39 and allowing students to learn hands-on about motors, batteries, electricity, and physics, it is my hope to spread STEM learning and education.&nbsp;</p><p>The main parts of the launcher are 3D printed: “Part A” and “Part B”. Part A is the base and includes an integrated motor mount, battery holder with spring, and some cutouts. Part B is where the rings are stored and the guide for the ring while launching. They are held together with two zip-ties on opposite sides.</p><p>Printing Instructions:</p><ul><li>Print at 0.25mm layer height or better. PLA/ABS preferred. No supports.</li><li>Part A is ~19g and should take about an hour to print. Part B is 6g and should take 20 minutes to print. Each Ring Core is 2g.</li></ul><p>Ring Assembly Instructions:</p><ol><li>Cut a 55mm diameter pool noodle into ½" slices. If you are having trouble or are making these in bulk, you can print the 4 Slice Ring Jig to help. Just align the pool noodle to the end of the arrow, and use a box cutter in each groove.</li><li>Press the Ring Core into the center of the ring.</li></ol><p>Launcher Assembly Instructions:</p><ol><li>Use two zip-ties to join Part A and Part B. It's recommended to have the head of the zip-tie on the bottom (under Part A).</li><li>Push in the motor into the motor mount with the metal tabs closest to the battery holder.</li><li>Gently twist each wire onto the motor tabs.</li><li>Push each wire through the battery holder's wire holes until the metal portion of the wire is all the way through and fold the wire down.</li><li>Use two zip-ties to secure the wires in place on each side of the battery holder.</li><li>Press the flywheel onto the motor shaft.</li><li>Add the battery with the “+” to the left side.</li><li>Load up to two rings at a time and when ready push each ring into the flywheel from the cutout. The “off switch” is just removing the battery.</li></ol><p>Please see the BOM for the materials needed and bulk cost per unit. Everything can be bought on Amazon and Dollar Tree: <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lt9dJus7oMgIdpCElqAHUjtK4M0dTr0P0pMzetoVnyY/edit?usp=sharing">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lt9dJus7oMgIdpCElqAHUjtK4M0dTr0P0pMzetoVnyY/edit?usp=sharing</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I'm always open to questions, comments, or suggestions., just shoot me a message. You can also remix this freely. Thanks!</p>