You are on page 1of 29

instructables

Marblevator, Wave

by gzumwalt

One of my rst 3D printed designs was “Mechanical Pseudo Sin Wave” (https://youtu.be/S2xk1iAFwcM). Published in
2013, that model utilized a 3D printed chassis, along with 3D printed crank, cams and lifters, to mechanically simulate a
sin wave. Combining the principles of that design with my fondness for marble machines resulted in the latest addition
to my Marblevator series, “Marblevator, Wave”.

In this model, the cams, lifters and track segments move in a pseudo sin wave motion, carrying a “marble” (ball bearing)
from the end of the track to the start in the trough of a "wave". I designed the model to use 8mm ball bearings, but as can
be seen in the video with careful adjustment 11mm ball bearing may be used as well (I will publish a track with lower
sidewalls better suited for both 8 and 11mm ball bearings soon).

Designed using Autodesk Fusion 360, sliced using Ultimaker Cura 14.12.1, and 3D printed in PLA on Ultimaker S5s.
Supplies:

Solder.
Soldering Iron.

Marblevator, Wave: Page 1


Marblevator, Wave: Page 2
Marblevator, Wave: Page 3
https://youtu.be/veaxztCVS_0

Step 1: Parts.

I acquired the following parts:


One N20 style 6VDC 120RPM gear motor.
One twin AA battery case with wires and switch.
Two AA Batteries.
Three 8MM ball bearings.

I 3D printed all parts at .15mm layer height and 20% in ll. I 3D printed twelve each of "Cam.stl", "Lifter.stl" and "Track,
Segment.stl", four each of "Bolt, Track, Guide, Lifters.stl", and one each of the remaining parts.
This is a precision print and assembly model. Prior to assembly, test t and trim, le, sand, etc. all parts as necessary for
smooth movement of moving surfaces, and tight t for non moving surfaces. Depending on you printer, your printer
settings and the colors you chose, more or less trimming, ling and/or sanding may be required. Carefully le all edges
that contacted the build plate to make absolutely certain that all build plate "ooze" is removed and that all edges are
smooth. I used small jewelers les and plenty of patience to perform this step.
Marblevator, Wave: Page 4
The model also uses threaded assembly, so I used a tap and die set (8mm by 1) for thread cleaning.
View in 3D Download

https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FOM/TSY8/L0FADBLV/FOMTSY8L0FADBLV.stl

View in 3D Download

https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FG3/0SFS/L0FADBLW/FG30SFSL0FADBLW.stl

View in 3D Download

https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FY9/PP8C/L0FADBLX/FY9PP8CL0FADBLX.stl

View in 3D Download

https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FTK/GYNT/L0FADBLY/FTKGYNTL0FADBLY.stl

View in 3D Download

https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/F46/LGS9/L0FADBLZ/F46LGS9L0FADBLZ.stl

View in 3D Download

https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/F0F/P43O/L0FADBM0/F0FP43OL0FADBM0.stl

View in 3D Download

https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FXD/U7E2/L0FADBM1/FXDU7E2L0FADBM1.stl

View in 3D Download

https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FEI/WIMZ/L0FADBMR/FEIWIMZL0FADBMR.stl

View in 3D Download

https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/F5D/BGXO/L0FADBMS/F5DBGXOL0FADBMS.stl

View in 3D Download

https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/F0A/3HTO/L0FADBMT/F0A3HTOL0FADBMT.stl

Step 2: Base Assembly.

To assemble the base, I performed the following steps:


Soldered the battery case to the motor such that when the motor is powered, the motor shaft rotated
counter clockwise when viewed from the motor shaft end of the motor.
Positioned "Gear, Motor.stl" in "Base.stl".
Pressed the gear motor into the motor holder until the motor shaft passed through the hole in the motor
gear.
Positioned "Camshaft.stl" into the base assembly.
Slid one "Cam.stl" onto the camshaft.
Slid the remaining eleven cams onto the camshaft, each rotated thirty degrees from the previous cam
(the camshaft has a twelve sided polygon to assist in cam alignment).
Slid "Bushing, Camshaft.stl" onto the camshaft assembly.
Secured the camshaft bushing in place with "Bolt, Bushing, Camshaft.stl".
Slid the motor such that the motor gear disengaged from the camshaft.
Made certain the camshaft assembly rotated with ease.
Slid the motor back into position.

Marblevator, Wave: Page 5


Marblevator, Wave: Page 6
Marblevator, Wave: Page 7
Marblevator, Wave: Page 8
Marblevator, Wave: Page 9
Marblevator, Wave: Page 10
Marblevator, Wave: Page 11
Marblevator, Wave: Page 12
Marblevator, Wave: Page 13
Marblevator, Wave: Page 14
Marblevator, Wave: Page 15
Marblevator, Wave: Page 16
Marblevator, Wave: Page 17
Marblevator, Wave: Page 18
Step 3: Top Assembly.

To assemble the top, I performed the following steps.


Slid one "Lifter.stl" into "Track, Guide, Lifters.stl".
Pressed on "Track, Segment.stl" onto the lifter.
Repeated the previous two steps for the remaining eleven lifters and track segments.

Marblevator, Wave: Page 19


Marblevator, Wave: Page 20
Marblevator, Wave: Page 21
Marblevator, Wave: Page 22
Marblevator, Wave: Page 23
Step 4: Final Assembly.

For nal assembly, I performed the following steps:


Positioned the top assembly over the base assembly.
Secured the top assembly to the base assembly using four "Bolt, Track, Guide, Lifters.stl".

Finally, I installed the AA batteries in the battery case, slid the battery case switch to the on position, added the three ball
bearings, then sat back and and watched it run.
And that is how I 3D printed and assembled "Marblevator, Wave".
I hope you enjoy it!

Marblevator, Wave: Page 24


Marblevator, Wave: Page 25
Marblevator, Wave: Page 26
Marblevator, Wave: Page 27
Marblevator, Wave: Page 28
Love the quirky stuff you come up with Greg.

Marblevator, Wave: Page 29

You might also like