Marblevator, "The Ferris Wheel at the Pumpkin Patch"

"Marblevator, "The Ferris Wheel at the Pumpkin Patch"" is a Halloween themed Marblevator incorporating a ferris wheel lift mechanism. I used a ferris wheel in this model as a reminder of the small ones we've taken our kids and grandkids to ride at our local pumpkin patch during the Halloween season.

The model is powered by two AA cells driving an N20 60RPM 6VDC gear motor. The "marbles" are actual 11.75MM diameter "peewee" marbles (yes, that's on the jar).

As usual, I probably forgot a file or two or who knows what else, so if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask as I do make plenty of mistakes.

Designed using Autodesk Fusion 360, sliced using Ultimaker Cura 4.12.1 Engineering profile, and 3D printed in PLA on Ultimaker S5s.

Supplies

• Soldering iron and solder.
• Thick cyanoacrylate glue and accelerator.
• Double sided tape.

Step 1: Parts.

I acquired the following parts:

• One N20 60RPM 6VDC gear motor.
• Seven 11.75mm marbles.
• One twin AA battery box with switch.
• Two AA batteries.

I've included the file "Parts.pdf" containing the part names, quantity and 3D printer settings I used to 3D print the parts. Note this website does not support file sizes in excess of 25mb, so the four pumpkin tower is not available here.

This is an extremely high precision 3D print and assembly model using at times very small precision 3D printed parts in very tight spaces. Prior to assembly, test fit and trim, file, sand, etc. all parts as necessary for smooth movement of moving surfaces, and tight fit for non moving surfaces. Depending on you printer, your printer settings and the colors you chose, more or less trimming, filing and/or sanding may be required. Carefully file 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 files and plenty of patience to perform this step.

The model also uses threaded assembly thus an M8 by 1.25 tap and die will assist with thread cleaning if necessary.

Step 2: Ferris Wheel Assembly.

To assemble the ferris wheel, I performed the following steps:

• Pressed "Wheel, Gear (1m, 40t).stl" onto the back of "Wheel, Frame.stl".
• Positioned "Wheel, Gear, Center (1m, 16t).stl" into the center of the wheel frame.
• Slid "Wheel, Axle.stl" through the center of the wheel frame assembly, pressed it into the center gear, then secured in place with glue.
• Inserted three "Wheel, Gear (1m, 8t).stl" and one "Wheel, Gear (1m, 16t).stl" onto the gear towers in one arm of the gear frame assembly. As I inserted each gear, I made certain the gears rotated with ease and if not, filed or sanded as necessary until the gears rotated with ease.
• Repeated the previous step for the remaining five arms of the wheel frame.
• Glued "Jack O'Lantern Ferris Wheel Face.stl" onto "Wheel, Cover.stl".
• Pressed the wheel cover assembly onto the wheel frame assembly and secured in place with small dots of glue.
• With the wheel axle aligned vertically (the end points of the hexagon aligned vertically) pressed one "Wheel, Seat.stl" onto the axle of one of the 16 tooth gears such that the seat was level.
• Repeated the previous steps for the remaining five seats.

Step 3: Base Assembly.

To assemble the base, I performed the following steps.

• Slid "Arm, Lift.stl" into "Base.stl".
• Pressed "Lever.stl" onto the arm.
• While holding the arm tight to the base, aligned the lever such that is was vertical, then secured in place with glue.
• Pressed the ferris wheel assembly into the hexagonal hole in the ferris wheel tower of the base assembly, making certain it was aligned such that the seats where 1mm away from the base lift tower, then secured in place with glue.
• Soldered the battery pack wires to the gear motor such that when power was applied, the gear motor axle rotated clockwise when viewed from the axle end of the gear motor.
• Placed the two AA batteries into the battery pack.
• Pressed "Gear, Motor (1m, 8t).stl" onto the motor axle.
• Placed double sided tape onto the non-switch side of the battery pack.
• Pressed the battery pack onto the base assembly ferris wheel tower.
• Pressed the gear motor into the ferris wheel tower such that the motor gear was centered on the wheel gear, then secured in place with glue.
• Turned on the battery pack and observed the seats as the ferris wheel rotated, adjusting each such that it remained level, then secured the seat position on the wheel gear axle with glue.
• Placed "Lift.stl" into the base lift tower on top of the lift arm.
• Pressed "Jack O'Lantern Tower 4.stl" onto the tallest base tower, followed by tower 3, 2 then 1.
• Pressed "Track Segment 5.stl" into the lift tower, then secured in place with one "Bolt (M8 by 1.25 by 8).stl".
• Secured the other end of track segment 5 to the base using one "Track Spacer.stl".
• Repeated the previous two steps for the remaining track segments.
• Rotated track segment 1 until the ejector arm was 2mm away from a seat face.

With the assembly complete, I operated the mechanism to make certain the seats did not collide with the track or base, then added the seven marbles to the start of the track and off it went!

And that is how I 3D printed and assembled "Marblevator, "The Ferris Wheel at the Pumpkin Patch"", I hope you enjoyed it!