Bouncy Ball

grabcad

21-AUG: Added photo and video from Drop #2...FAILED (Sorry, no video link so you need to download the files). Adding "egg" weights to the legs kept the design vertical during freefall, but the legs were not stiff enough to prevent the cage from bottoming out. I have included files for rings with integrated legs that can be printed on a larger 3D printer that will be stiffer than the version tested here.------------------------------20-AUG: Added photo and video from Drop #1...FAILED. Anchor was not heavy enough to keep the design vertical. Larger rings would have allowed for more travel (deceleration) on impact. This turned out to be an interesting design for my kids because it showed them the variety of materials (thick, thin, flexible, stretchy, composite) that can be produced from the same printer.------------------------------18-AUG: Included a version with legs that will create another dampening design feature.------------------------------16-AUG: Prototype almost ready. When I push down on the model the outer rings flex outward and the inner ring drops down, so I want to print some connectors as well as a "anchor" to orient the ball during freefall.------------------------------This concept alternates layers of rigid and flexible filament to create a laminated structure that has better toughness than PLA and better strength than the flexible filament (Polymaker PolyFlex).I don't have access to a multi-material (Objet) or 2-nozzle FDM printer, but I was able to make a prototype by exchanging filament throughout the build.The test ring can be twisted and ovaled without breaking. Delamination occurred within the PLA layers because I only printed at 50% infill. When thrown against the floor the ring bounced.Unfortunately, I may not be able to print a model large enough to adequately suspend an egg within the frame, especially since this design will most likely bounce when dropped.