Tiny Dancer Circuit Fittings

thingiverse

This project creates a cap and base for the Tiny Dancer electrical circuit that can be found on www.babbledabbledo.com. The project involves creating a circuit with copper wire, an AA battery, and two Neodymium magnets to produce a unipolar motor where electron movement interacts with magnetic fields to create motion. This project makes an excellent #ScienceProject, #PhysicsProject, or #EngineeringProject for classes exploring the movement of electrons and electrical and magnetic field interactions. It's particularly effective in demonstrating how electrons move through wires and interact with magnetic fields. One of the best videos showcasing this project has good lighting and demonstrates its running capabilities when properly balanced. The video is available on the website and provides a clear understanding of the project's functionality. Print Settings: Printer Brand: MakerBot Printer: MakerBot Replicator Mini Rafts: Doesn't Matter Supports: No Notes: These parts take very little time to print, approximately 45 minutes for both. After printing, use a knife or scraper to clear any flashing from the inside of the cap's hole. I designed these parts using #OnShape, with the intention of creating a base and guide for the Tiny Dancer project. They are thin-walled but effectively perform their functions. To Make Your Tiny Dancer: Visit BabbleDabbleDo.com for full instructions on how to create this project. You will need an AA battery, 16-gauge copper wire, Neodymium magnets, and the base and cap printed from this project. Bend the copper wire into a dancer or other shape that is balanced and touches the magnet at the battery's base. A PDF template for bending copper can be found in the files provided. Place the magnets in the base and the battery on top of them. According to the instructions, three 1/2" diameter by 1/8" thick neodymium magnets are recommended. However, I opted for two 3/8" diameter by 3/8" thick neodymium magnets as they worked better and were less prone to breaking. The base is designed to accommodate accidental handling without damage. The cap is the crucial component of this project, ensuring the dancer stays in place even with minor irregularities. Without it, the dancer may jump off the battery unless the copper wire is perfectly balanced. Place the cap on top of the battery and position your dancer so she rests on the dot at the battery's top and her coil touches the magnets. She might need a gentle push to get started - if she starts but stops, check for interference from her skirt or the copper touching the cap. If she doesn't start at all, try flipping the magnets; you may have the wrong polarity. She should run continuously unless friction becomes an issue. However, remember that this is an electrical circuit and can heat up with prolonged use. Be cautious not to leave it running for too long. As a precautionary measure, I'll reiterate warnings from the website: don't swallow magnets; prevent kids from swallowing magnets; avoid leaving magnets where children can access them; refrain from placing magnets near electronic devices like phones, hard drives, or credit cards; and most importantly, don't swallow magnets. How to Use This in Class: This project is an excellent way for science students to understand the movement of electrons through electrical circuits. Upper-level students can use it as a starting point to discuss magnetic and electrical field interactions (and their differences) along with how these forces exist. Younger students can use this project as a visual demonstration of electron flow through the circuit, providing a clear understanding of the principles involved in electricity.