The Cyclone: triple lift, triple track marble machine

pinshape

This is an advanced marble machine with multiple tracks that lift marbles simultaneously. The lift releases three marbles onto separate paths, where two of them are connected in series and the third loops back onto itself. To ensure continuous traffic on all three tracks, you need at least two marbles operating at the same time. The machine has been specifically designed for 8 mm steel balls, but it can also work with printed marbles that have a little more friction against the tracks due to their surface texture. The nice thing about printed marbles is that they can be customized in different colors, which creates a visually appealing effect when running the machine. The total amount of plastic required for this project is approximately 300 grams. Print settings: No rafts, no supports, any resolution, and 15% infill are recommended. These settings apply to the entire machine, including the screw, cap, and winder. Instructions: Step 1: First, print the machine itself. This will be a long and complex process, as it involves printing a large object. I used a Duplicator i3 with a layer height of 0.25 mm, infill of 15%, and a speed of 50 mm/s. Slicing was done using S3D. The print time for the machine alone took over 19 hours. Step 2: Next, print the screw, cap, and winder simultaneously. However, I recommend placing the screw in the center of the bed if you have a laterally moving bed to ensure proper adhesion. It's essential to use good surface preparation on the glass plate with glue stick to prevent any issues during printing. The winder requires minimal support under the indentation, but it can be printed without one. Be prepared for some stringing inside the indentation when using no supports. Step 3: If you don't have steel balls of the correct size, try printing your own marbles. Make sure to use 100% infill and a very fine resolution (0.1 mm). The marble design includes built-in support that breaks away easily and leaves no scars on the ball. However, the part at the bottom of the support might require some sanding or filing to achieve perfect roundness. I've made a video showcasing how to assemble and use this machine. Please note that it was a quick and dirty shoot, but it demonstrates the machine's functionality.