Gantry crane for wooden trains (Brio compatible)

thingiverse

A working gantry crane that can be used to move brio style magnetic containers. It consists of a platform with a track and road plus ramps, the gantry itself and the actual mechanism (actuator). **Please be aware that this is the first working prototype and it still has some rough edges. See at the end for details** ### Update Uploaded fusion 360 files ### Components * The road and track are split into 4 parts that clip together. This is done to avoid a large, lengthy print but also to allow expanding with extra train lines or road platforms in the future. * The gantry with its legs and the two beams (yellow and red in the photos) * A box with two parts that slides on the beans. I could not print this as a single piece so ended up splitting it and glued it with superglue. * A main cylinder that also has a "piston" in the middle. That's a detail that allows to push the containers and disengage them from the magnet. The tolerances were tight but it works in my prototype. You may want to skip this altogether. ### Extra things needed: * A coin type magnet, 10 mm in diameter. We took one out of an old wooden carriage. * A tiny rubber band (optional) to make the mechanism bounce back at the top ### Printing I only printed drafts for now. I used a Creality CR20 for this and four different eSun PLA+ filaments (for more colours). The prints are relatively straightforward but my printer needs maintenance and the results were not great. However, when put together it makes a great toy. ### Known issues * There is a 10 mm recess at the bottom for a coin magnet. On retrospect this was not great as it makes it more difficult if your magnet is a bit larger. You may need to fill this with glue or something. The magnet is OK to stick out 2-5mm. * Tolerances are good for my printer settings and materials. I am not sure how they will turn out with other printers and filaments. * I used supports for the road and track and the parts that clip together. I had to use a small file to smooth the remnants and make them clip properly together.