Gravitrax Carousel with Spinner

Update 2024-12-30
Minor update for Bamboo lab slicers. Some of the parts required thin walls to be enabled and the cap was experiencing some printing artifacts. Cap & Grip fins were adjusted. A new zip file was added with updated files.

Add 3mf file with all parts laid out and multi color print.

A spin on the Gravitrax Pro carousel (pun intended .. ) This version has been optimised to reduce the potential energy required allowing the ball fall through. The top carouse has been replaced by a spinner to launch 1 -6 balls. The spinner has been redesigned using a A hidden rotating disk.

The carousel can also be use as the traditional Carousel Pro.

Update 2024-05-08
As the use of 1x spacers will be very common with the carousel / spinner I have added a design you can print. No s, gluing , adjusting required. Simple snap in design. It's a library all my grtavitax bases are designed from.

update 2024-05-13
- Version 2 of the spacer has been added, This version can most gravitrax sparts that are out of spec
-Spinner has been revised with a break away top. Spinner is meant to be printed upside downs
- 6 Prong disk has been added. Provides more consistent launching
-Cap has updated for easier insertion

Assembly
Assembly is strait forward following the diagram. But a few steps may helpful if they are performed in sequence.

• Insert the Base insert into the base. Will take a bit of force and may even require some clean up of the slot. The insert is a permanent snap fit design
• Insert the post into the base. Grip fins should allow for easy insertion but you may need to apply some force the first time. Afterwards should be easy to insert & remove
• Insert the Rod into the disk. The grip fins may be tight at first depending on print results. You will want to loosen the rod enough so you can adjust position later. Slide the disk up & down the rod to loosen. But should still be tight enough to hold position
• insert the Rod & disk into the top carousel platform. And place the cap into position. There are two slots for the caps wings to pop into
• Adjust the rod position so the disk spins freely. Additional adjustment may be required once carousel is fully assembled
• Insert the bottom spinner
• The Rod should insert into the hole in bottom spinner
• Combine the top & bottom halves together. Press them into place. Additional adjustment may be required to Lower spinner, Rod & Disk. The bottom spinner should be able to spin freely with the top spinner bumping/jarring easily
• The bottom spinner should sit flush with the base
• Top & bottom may need to be separated for final adjustments

More Print Instruction to come..

No s required for all parts.
Set slicer tolerance settings to Exclusive.
The Spinner should be printed upside down. The holder can be broken off afterwards. You can use a raft but not necessary, the raft will give you better leverage to break off the holder clean. (raft only add 3 min to the print. )

The small Rod which is used to connect the spinner to the carousel has a flat side. Be sure to print with flat side down. As well for added strength increase the wall count to 4 or more but not absolutely necessary.

If your having adhesion issues with the disk try using a brim, but not usually required.

The base insert, Rod and Posts may take a bit of force to insert the first time. Slide the rod Up & Down the disk a few time to loosen. Will be easier to adjust when assembling.

Note: This is specific to Cura 5.6 & 5.7 hopefully in a later version & other slicer this will not be an issue. When Slicing the base cura is doing something strange when bridging. When using exclusive slicing tolerance On layer 25 segments are left hanging in mid air. Rest of the layers are fine. This will result in some cleanup on the underside. If you switch to Middle for slicing tolerance the result should be fine.