Introduction: DIY Motorized Fidget Spinner!
It most probably crossed your mind to attatch a motor and a battery inside a fidget spinner. Today we are making a DIY Motorized Fidget Spinner! A spinner that would spin +3000rpm for 10 minutes until the battery runs out!
VIDEO DEMO - NEW VIDEO TEASER
4K VIDEO TUTORIAL TO BE AIRED TOM - AUGUST 22, 2017 (@YouTube.com/TechBuilder)
- Includes the spinner in action
- My usual highly detailed video tutorial
- 3D Printing Vlog
Step 1: Things You'll Need
Parts & Materials:
- Lithium Button Cells Batteries (2x)
- 5V DC Cooling Fan
- Tact Button Switch
- 608 Ball Bearing (Fidget Spinner Bearing)
- Superglue
Tools & Equipment:
- 3D Printer
- ABS Filament
- Dremel Rotary Tool
- Pliers
Step 2: Find a 3D Printer or a CNC
I have two 3D printers at home. A Pegasus Touch SLA 3D Printer and the famous ANET A6. I chose to use my cheapo Anet A6 for this one since I didn't want to waste the expensive SLA resin for such a simple project. FDM all the way! As for the spool, I'm using an ABS filament on this project, since I could do the Acetone vapour treatment to smoothen my spinner's 3D printed surface texture.
About the ANET A6. It's my first ever DIY 3D printer kit. Would have to say, for a $170 price tag (+free shipping), the printer performs well in terms of speed and quality. It's not the best, but the results you get from a very affordable printer, it's just awesome! I made an unboxing, Q&A, assembly and video review on my ANET experience. It's not yet done but here's a preview!
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ANET A6 ($169 Discounted Link):Gearbest ANET A6
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Step 3: Alternatives
Don't get discouraged if you don't have access to a 3D printer. You could always do it the old fashioned way! You can recycle a piece of acrylic and saw it into sections and use some tools like a metal file to curve the edges. There are thousands of fidget spinner tutorials her in Instructables!
Step 4: Find a Spinner Design - THINGIVERSE.COM!
Simply browse the web for fidget spinner design inspirations that you would want to motorize!
If you chose to use a 3D printer for this project, Thingiverse.com is like the Pinterest or Instagram of all 3D printing files! It's an online library where people can find and share their 3D models. The free downloadable files come in the .STL format, which means all 3D printers would be able to read and print models form the website! Just type in the search bar "Fidget Spinner" and you'll find thousands of free 3D printing designs!
Step 5: Measure Your Fan Motor's Core
Acquire your cooling fan's motor diameter using a ruler or a vernier caliper. You'll need the measurement for the next step.
Step 6: Scale It in Cura
You may have to scale your fidget spinner so that you would be able to fit your brushless fan motor from where the bearing is supposed to be. Using your gradeschool stock knowledge in math, apply the simple concept of ratio and proportion to scale down or scale up your fidget spinner model using your previously acquired measurement.
Step 7: 3D Print Your Design
After exporting your .gcode files from your 3D printing software (mine's Cura 14.07), preheat your 3D printer then run your file.
Step 8: Spray It With Paint
Find a spray paint color that would best fit your fidget spinner design. Mine's a "Tie Fighter" from Star Wars so I sprayed mine with a grey layer of spray paint.
Step 9: Destroy Your Cooling Fan to Get the Brushless Motor
Dismantle and destroy your cooling fan to get the brushless motor out of it. You'll also have to pleir out the blades from it as well.
Step 10: Smoothen the Motor
After removing the plastic supports and plastic blades, your motor will most definitely have a rough surface. Use your Dremel or rotary tool with a sanding drum bit to smoothen it out. Just let is slide...
Step 11: Sandwitch the Motor to the Spinner
Step 12: Wire Your Electronics
Simply solder your battery, switch and motor in series. If you have no idea how to do it, I've provided a schematic diagram on this step.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION! I'M FIXING IT AT THE MOMENT. PLEASE REVISIT AFTER A FEW HOURS
had to post this instructable before the contest deadline ends.
Step 13: Buy or Scavange Bearings?
We'll need to gather a 608 fidget spinner bearing for the next step. I had a couple of spinner lying around, I figured I could get one by taking them apart in order to make a kick-ass battery powered spinner! After taking them apart, I did notice that these China made replicas had a couple of iterations over time. Bottomline: if you try to take one apart, chances are, you might find bearing of different sizes form different spinners.
Step 14: Grinding the Bearing
Get your Dremel or rotary tool again, then grind the inner hub of the bearing. It must not protrude as so not to create friction when you superglue it later to the motor.
Step 15: Add a Bearing on the Other Side
The other side of your spinner has all the electronics (motors, switch and batteries), while the other one must have a bearing for you to be able to hold it both sides while it spins! Grab a bottle of superglue to mount the outer ring (hub) of your bearing to the brushless fan motor.
Step 16: Happy Spinning!
Congratulations! You've finally made your own battery operated fidget spinner! Show it to your friends! See how they'll react. Just click tap the switch and let the magic happen! Place your bets... Enjoy!