Marvelous Magnetic Marble Run

prusaprinters

<p>Marble run tracks and tricks that mount onto any magnetic surface. I designed these with my kids as a project during the coronavirus lockdown.</p><p>Make it your own by deciding which parts to print or even customizing the source openscad files, which can be found at <a href="https://github.com/jhpieper/marble-run">github.com/jhpieper/marble-run</a>.</p><p>See it in action: <a href="https://youtu.be/W0yioqEhmZE">https://youtu.be/W0yioqEhmZE</a></p><h3>Materials</h3><p>This marble run works with regular glass marbles that measure 5/8" (16mm).</p><p>All tracks are designed for round 10mm x 2mm magnets.<br/>They can easily be ordered from Amazon and other retailers.</p><h3>The Tracks</h3><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Straight</strong></p><p>Just a straight run. Available in many lengths from 50mm to 200mm.</p></td><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://media.prusaprinters.org/media/prints/88526/rich_content/a84ffdbc-80e5-42c8-bc5f-f7655bf23373/straight.jpg#%7B%22uuid%22%3A%22a0e0f378-318f-4ba2-a781-14dbeb1ae216%22%2C%22w%22%3A600%2C%22h%22%3A400%7D"/></figure></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>The Wave</strong></p><p>This track makes things a bit more interesting. Print with supports.</p></td><td style="padding:0px;text-align:right;width:200px;"><figure class="image"><img src="https://media.prusaprinters.org/media/prints/88526/rich_content/dc920210-2dde-4fb8-9e99-c770f4f80d54/wave.jpg#%7B%22uuid%22%3A%22635bbf92-c945-494d-a078-b2efc1d8aa5d%22%2C%22w%22%3A600%2C%22h%22%3A400%7D"/></figure></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Curve</strong></p><p>A 90 degree curved piece. Great to catch a falling ball and getting it onto the next track.</p></td><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://media.prusaprinters.org/media/prints/88526/rich_content/a3c4ca72-920c-4a49-8530-af0e0dbe9f12/curve.jpg#%7B%22uuid%22%3A%222c46a078-67c2-4ced-a149-add2dc3f7c39%22%2C%22w%22%3A600%2C%22h%22%3A400%7D"/></figure></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>The Tunnel</strong></p><p>A straight pipe that hides the ball. Available in multiple lengths.</p></td><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://media.prusaprinters.org/media/prints/88526/rich_content/b5612d7e-3310-447f-8d62-ac440eee2995/tunnel.jpg#%7B%22uuid%22%3A%226f4a7b1e-c06f-4125-b0e5-11fe62616394%22%2C%22w%22%3A599%2C%22h%22%3A400%7D"/></figure></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>The Drop</strong></p><p>A classic way to drop the ball onto the next track.</p></td><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://media.prusaprinters.org/media/prints/88526/rich_content/d2b28ee5-279f-4482-a1e6-6bbeb2025512/drop.jpg#%7B%22uuid%22%3A%226589ad6f-0754-4f9e-a4f4-2ef458a7b8f2%22%2C%22w%22%3A600%2C%22h%22%3A400%7D"/></figure></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Lombard Street</strong></p><p>A San Francisco landmark for your marble. Print with supports.</p></td><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://media.prusaprinters.org/media/prints/88526/rich_content/dab624da-bb44-443f-895e-b2cafcf71c01/lombard-street.jpg#%7B%22uuid%22%3A%221fe335db-789b-469d-9dc6-1d599d8a6504%22%2C%22w%22%3A600%2C%22h%22%3A400%7D"/></figure></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>The Wheel</strong></p><p>Spins as the ball goes past. Get creative and use it to launch another ball that is stored in the wheel. Or kick a ball placed on a track above into action.<br/>Available in various sizes and blade counts. Some assembly required: wheel-&lt;-size&gt;- + wheel-base + lock-. Customize the look by using different colors for the parts.</p></td><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://media.prusaprinters.org/media/prints/88526/rich_content/2adb3916-f462-4180-81ee-a6dd11915ea8/wheel.jpg#%7B%22uuid%22%3A%22489f3f05-0dde-4bdf-bc3d-b18caa1524b1%22%2C%22w%22%3A600%2C%22h%22%3A400%7D"/></figure></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>The Pole</strong></p><p>Catch a ball and vault it to the next track.<br/>Assemble pole- + pole-base + lock-<br/>Customize the look by using different colors for the parts.</p></td><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://media.prusaprinters.org/media/prints/88526/rich_content/1d2eb20d-799f-4943-ac93-ea35917857c0/pole.jpg#%7B%22uuid%22%3A%2255fd4122-4297-4c53-ab9c-8fb4e03aa889%22%2C%22w%22%3A600%2C%22h%22%3A400%7D"/></figure></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>The Whirlpool!</strong></p><p>The ball goes in circles until it drops through the center. Mount level for best effect.</p></td><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://media.prusaprinters.org/media/prints/88526/rich_content/e2ca137e-645b-4321-9bee-135bffd071f7/whirlpool.jpg#%7B%22uuid%22%3A%22c93d2f39-963b-45c6-9020-d0d0277504cf%22%2C%22w%22%3A600%2C%22h%22%3A400%7D"/></figure></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>The Looping</strong></p><p>This one is tricky! Mount it at the correct angle, extend the incoming ramp and the marble will successfully perform a looping.</p></td><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://media.prusaprinters.org/media/prints/88526/rich_content/56fe2afb-685f-43ed-90e7-83f70509a2b7/looping.gif#%7B%22uuid%22%3A%222f33a648-963e-404b-8407-e8b69f9a41c6%22%2C%22w%22%3A200%2C%22h%22%3A133%7D"/></figure></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Funnel</strong></p><p>It's a funnel.</p></td><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://media.prusaprinters.org/media/prints/88526/rich_content/19066eeb-7cf7-4660-89ae-5d3c73c8cb5d/funnel.jpg#%7B%22uuid%22%3A%22abff4794-804e-418a-b3c5-c57908289b37%22%2C%22w%22%3A600%2C%22h%22%3A400%7D"/></figure></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Auto-Launcher</strong></p><p>Releases one marble every couple of seconds. See it on <a href="https://youtu.be/TCUJiLz-vXs">YouTube</a>. Assemble auto-launcher + pole-base + lock-</p></td><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://media.prusaprinters.org/media/prints/88526/rich_content/6950f399-1276-4851-b22c-a006a445aa7f/auto-launcher.jpg#%7B%22uuid%22%3A%22f4f5cf78-de40-4c09-ad7e-8b027671063a%22%2C%22w%22%3A600%2C%22h%22%3A400%7D"/></figure></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Flipflop</strong></p><p>The flipflop diverts the marble left or right. Assemble flipflop + flipflop-base + lock-</p></td><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://media.prusaprinters.org/media/prints/88526/rich_content/c47b6f83-56cd-439d-9ad2-88bfc2faebfd/flipflop.jpg#%7B%22uuid%22%3A%2258d12662-ab8c-4f00-bd93-b4de953fcb1b%22%2C%22w%22%3A600%2C%22h%22%3A400%7D"/></figure></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Tray</strong></p><p>The tray is a great way to finish the run and to store extra marbles.</p></td><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://media.prusaprinters.org/media/prints/88526/rich_content/cf9bb793-53cc-4810-93ae-adafd97d33be/tray.jpg#%7B%22uuid%22%3A%222a496f5f-9db1-4383-b5a4-26f9157d5d8a%22%2C%22w%22%3A600%2C%22h%22%3A400%7D"/></figure></td></tr></tbody></table></figure><p> </p><h3>Print Settings</h3><p><strong>Printer: </strong>Anet AM8</p><p><strong>Rafts: </strong>No</p><p><strong>Supports: </strong>No, except for “The Wave” and “Lombard Street”</p><p><strong>Resolution: </strong>0.2</p><p><strong>Infill: </strong>20%</p><p><strong>Filament:</strong> PLA<br/> </p><p><strong>Notes: </strong></p><ul><li>Consider setting a brim</li></ul><p><strong>Installing the magnets with hotglue</strong></p><p> </p><p>Each track needs at least two magnets, but many require three or even more.</p><p>The mounting holes were initially designed to be tight enough to just push the magnets in, but that turned out to be problematic. It was difficult to get the magnets to be flat rather than pivoting. Magnets would regularly fall out, etc.</p><p> </p><p>In the end I switched to securing the magnets with hot glue. The holes are slightly wider to allow the magnet to be pushed into the glue easily. Hot glue is also excellent to add more grip to the back of the track if it slides on the board. Just spread a thin layer of hotglue all along the back and let it cool. The resulting surface has a nice grip. See video.</p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://youtu.be/gYiJxWv6fWU"></oembed></figure><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Category: Toys &amp; Games</p>