Easy print hotwheels rubber band launcher

thingiverse

This is a self locking hot wheels launcher inspired by this one: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2253033 The other model worked but it was not easy enough for my 3yo son to operate alone. Unfortunately the trigger broke in minutes after printing, too. So I decided to redesign it on my own to improve on some points. BUT the idea is hers/his so I want to give him credit for the Idea. I didn't mark it as a remix as I redesigned it completely from ground up. My design goals that I wanted to reach were: - It should be closer to the ground (1mm) so the cars won't jump after the start. - It's easy to load and launch even for my 3 yo with no help needed by me. - It locks itself into place as the "trigger key" is falling into a notch after pulling the slider in and holds it in place. - The rubber bands are easy to install and put their force to lower mid part of the cars to launch the car as good as possible. - It has no edges where my son could hurt himself. - It's completely support free to print. - It can be printed pretty fast and wont break easily. Print: (!) Please lay all parts flat as the files are in the wrong direction. See the pictures where I put the parts side by side to see the orientation they should be printed in (!) I printed the ramp at 0.28 layer height and 10% infill. The slider at 0.2 with 20% infill. You could try 0.28 it may have enough clearance. (let me know). The key at 0.2 as it should slide in as easy as possible with 35% infill so it won't break. After printing and instructions: - Just put the slider in the rails and use standard rubber bands. One is enough for a light start. I put two on it to give it more push. The more the better ;-) - Put in the "trigger key" at the top (it won't go in the whole way). - Pull the slider back to the wall until the key falls into place and locks it. - Pull the "trigger key" out to launch the car. - Have fun :) I hope you have as much fun with this as my son has :)