Constructive marble run: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 18:26, 21 October 2021

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Introduction

A constructive marble run kit allows children and grown ups to create their own marble run.

Types of marble runs

A quick online search revealed several types. These can be classified according to several criteria

Commercial / free
Finished pieces / Do it Yourself
Compatible with an other construction set (e.g. Lego) / Not compatible
Large / small
(Support) for complex / simple runs

Lego compatible marble runs

A number of free and commercial lego compatible marble run systems exist.

Open source 3D printable systems

On thingiverse we identified the following Lego compatible 3D printable systems. So far, we did not test print all of these. Probably the most interesting system as of Dec 2018 is Lego Marble Run by metallguru Aug 29, 2018. That being said some things complete other, simpler system.

3D printable Lego compatible marble runs on Thingiverse
(https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:994812 Lego Duplo marble run set by thecrash74 Sep 1, 2015)
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:159219 Duplo compatible marble run system by joachim67 Oct 1, 2013
(https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:736756 LEGO compartible flex marble run elements by erdinger Mar 23, 2015 Can be fixed to Lego Technics)
(https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:675917 Lego Marble Run - Individual Files by garthvh Feb 10, 2015)
(https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:148232 LEGO marble run by mathgrrl Sep 9, 2013)
(https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2668311 Lego Compatible Marble Run System by lovedzc Nov 25, 2017)
(https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3072314 Lego Marble Run by metallguru Aug 29, 2018)
(https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1624151 Quarter Helix Marble Run by JmsDwh Jun 14, 2016)

Free Lego adapters for other systems

Example: Duplo Haba Marble Run Adapter Designed by Tho85. ]

Commercial 3D printable systems

3D printable Lego compatible marble runs
(https://pinshape.com/users/413821-jtronicsde) One free example on thingiverse)

commercial Lego or Duplo compatible systems

A good example of a Duplo-compatible set is Marble Race Run Maze Ball Track Building Blocks Plastic Funnel Slide Big Size Bricks Compatible with Big Brand Duplo Blocks (retrieved Dec 5, 2018). On Ali Express, many variants of the same design (or product?) can be found.

The largest 208 piece set features the following elements. The vendor also includes the block size which indeed uses standard Duplo conventions as explained in the Doblo factory article. Height should be 19.2mm and not 20mm, but this is maybe a mistake by the graphist.

Advertising of a marble run product (Source)

Commercial bricks for 3D printing that are similar to Lego

An example is Marble Run Blocks - Starter pack. This product is partly Lego compatible, i.e. the bottom might fit on Lego. The system is based on the same square and is easily stackable.

Marble Run Blocks - Starter pack example configuration (Source: [1])

Marble Run Blocks - Starter pack, elements (Source: [2])

Sample blocks (straight runs) are available for test printing.

Marble run bricks

Constructive marble run sets are composed of several brick types that can be combined into a run. The most important elements are runs and curves.

Animated

for example, a spinner.

Crossings

Balls can cross at an intersection.

Curve

Variants:

Degrees: Mostly either 90 / 180
Narrow / Wide
Flat / Sloped

Fork / Split

A ball enters and go one of two (or more) directions.

Examples:

Funnel / hole

A vertical hole. The ball enters, can optionally rotate, and then drops.

Joins

Balls can come from 2 directions and join in a single track. One also could use this element as (random) fork (split)

Loop

Ball does one loop. This requires initial speed. It exists as fixed element or can be achieved with flexible track elements.

Examples:

Lego Marble Run (a set)
Marble run roller coaster

Marble pump

Can lift a marbel from the bottom to the top. Typically, a large spiral that is either operated by hand or by a motor.

Spiral

Spirals are connected curves, usually 2 or 3 complete turns

Start/end

A run with a wall at one end. May contain a little depression to keep the ball in place.

Track / Runs

A usually straight (not bended) run that can be flat or go downhill a bit or a lot.

Variants:

short/long
flat / slope (weak to strong) / cosine / up/down bending / etc. slope
rigid / flexible

Examples of typical track elements can be found in all sets, e.g.

Lego Duplo marble run set

Some kits also combine various technology (e.g. Lego + Uebelino)

Hubelino / Duplo compatible marble run items

Examples of flexible runs:

Duplo compatible marble run - add on. Makes use of filament by adding holes and a clip element to this.
LEGO compartible flex marble run elements

Tunnel

A brick that is closed. A variant of almost all the other variants. In case of Lego compatibles, can have nibbles on top to allow building on top.

Variants:

short/long
straight / curved
flat / slope.

Twister / Cone

Ball enters, rotates and then falls down a hole.

Examples:

Various

There is an unlimited amount of more complex pieces that can be designed.

Examples:

Duplo compatible marble run system - extend parts set

Links

List of products

We don't have time to conduct a serious evaluation.

The following search provide a lot of products:

3D printables

Commercial

Free

See above

Laser cut

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 A constructive marble run kit allows children and grown ups to create their own marble run.
+See also:
+* [[Lego-compatible marble run]]
 A marble run can be used to explain some physics principles.
-== Types ==
+== Types of marble runs ==
 A quick online search revealed several types. These can be classified according to several criteria
@@ Line 21: / Line 24: @@
 === Open source 3D printable systems ===
-On [ thingiverse] we selected the following 3D printable systems.
+On [https://www.thingiverse.com/ thingiverse] we identified the following Lego compatible 3D printable systems. So far, we did not test print all of these. Probably the most interesting system as of Dec 2018 is [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3072314 Lego Marble Run] by metallguru Aug 29, 2018. That being said some things complete other, simpler system.
 <gallery widths=200px heights=200px perrow=3 caption="3D printable Lego compatible marble runs on Thingiverse">
 File:Lego Duplo marble run set.jpg ‎|(https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:994812 Lego Duplo marble run set by thecrash74 Sep 1, 2015)
+File:Duplo compatible marble run systemd.jpg | https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:159219 Duplo compatible marble run system by joachim67 Oct 1, 2013
 File:Lego compatible flex marble run element.jpg ‎|(https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:736756 LEGO compartible flex marble run elements by erdinger Mar 23, 2015 Can be fixed to Lego Technics)
 File:Lego marble run individual files.jpg ‎|(https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:675917 Lego Marble Run - Individual Files by garthvh Feb 10, 2015)
@@ Line 32: / Line 36: @@
 File:Quarter helix marble run.jpg ‎|(https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1624151 Quarter Helix Marble Run by JmsDwh Jun 14, 2016)
 </gallery>
+=== Free Lego adapters for other systems ===
+Example: [https://pinshape.com/items/25156-3d-printed-duplo-haba-marble-run-adapter Duplo Haba Marble Run Adapter] Designed by [https://pinshape.com/users/118790-tho85 Tho85].
+]
 === Commercial 3D printable systems ===
-<gallery widths=200px heights=200px perrow=3 caption="3D printable Lego compatible marble runs on Thingiverse">
+<gallery widths=200px heights=200px perrow=3 caption="3D printable Lego compatible marble runs">
-File:Lego marble run brick.jpg ‎|(https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3251292 Lego Marble Run Brick by jtronics 4 days ago Only includes one free element. The rest is commercial (cheap STL files for download) https://pinshape.com/users/413821-jtronicsde)
+File:Lego marble run brick.jpg ‎|(https://pinshape.com/users/413821-jtronicsde) One free example on [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3251292 thingiverse])
 </gallery>
 === commercial Lego or Duplo compatible systems ===
-A good example of a Duplo-compatible set is [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Marble-Race-Run-Maze-Ball-Track-Building-Blocks-Plastic-Funnel-Slide-Big-Size-Bricks-Compatible-with/32883663718.html Marble Race Run Maze Ball Track Building Blocks Plastic Funnel Slide Big Size Bricks Compatible with Big Brand Duplo Blocks] (retrieved Dec 5, 2018). The largest 208 piece set features the following elements:
+A good example of a Duplo-compatible set is [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Marble-Race-Run-Maze-Ball-Track-Building-Blocks-Plastic-Funnel-Slide-Big-Size-Bricks-Compatible-with/32883663718.html Marble Race Run Maze Ball Track Building Blocks Plastic Funnel Slide Big Size Bricks Compatible with Big Brand Duplo Blocks] (retrieved Dec 5, 2018). On Ali Express, many variants of the same design (or product?) can be found.
-[[File:Marble-Race-Run-Maze-Ball-Track-Building-Blocks-Plastic-Funnel-Slide-Big-Size-Bricks-Compatible-with3.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Advertising of a marble run product ([https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Marble-Race-Run-Maze-Ball-Track-Building-Blocks-Plastic-Funnel-Slide-Big-Size-Bricks-Compatible-with/32883663718.html Source])]]
+The largest 208 piece set features the following elements. The vendor also includes the block size which indeed uses standard Duplo conventions as explained in the [[Doblo factory]] article. Height should be 19.2mm and not 20mm, but this is maybe a mistake by the graphist.
+{|
+|[[File:Marble-Race-Run-Maze-Ball-Track-Building-Blocks-Plastic-Funnel-Slide-Big-Size-Bricks-Compatible-with3.jpg|400px|thumb|none|Advertising of a marble run product ([https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Marble-Race-Run-Maze-Ball-Track-Building-Blocks-Plastic-Funnel-Slide-Big-Size-Bricks-Compatible-with/32883663718.html Source])]]
+|[[File:Marble-Race-Run-Maze-Ball-Track-Building-Blocks-Plastic-Funnel-Slide-Big-Size-Bricks-Compatible-with2.jpg|400px|thumb|none|Advertising of a marble run product ([https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Marble-Race-Run-Maze-Ball-Track-Building-Blocks-Plastic-Funnel-Slide-Big-Size-Bricks-Compatible-with/32883663718.html Source])]]
+|}
+=== Commercial bricks for 3D printing that are similar to Lego ===
+An example is [https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/marble-run-blocks-starter-pack Marble Run Blocks - Starter pack]. This product is partly Lego compatible, i.e. the bottom might fit on Lego. The system is based on the same square and is easily stackable.
+{|
+|[[File:MarbleRunBlocks-StarterPack02_large.jpg|thumb|300px|Marble Run Blocks - Starter pack example configuration (Source: [https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/marble-run-blocks-starter-pack]) ]]
+|[[File:MarbleRunBlocks-StarterPack03_large.jpg|thumb|300px|Marble Run Blocks - Starter pack, elements (Source: [https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/marble-run-blocks-starter-pack]) ]]
+|}
+[https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/marble-run-blocks-free-sample Sample blocks] (straight runs) are available for test printing.
+== Marble run bricks ==
+Constructive marble run sets are composed of several brick types that can be combined into a run. The most important elements are runs and curves.
+=== Animated ===
+for example, a spinner.
+=== Crossings ===
+Balls can cross at an intersection.
+=== Curve ===
+Variants:
+* Degrees: Mostly either 90 / 180
+* Narrow / Wide
+* Flat / Sloped
+=== Fork / Split ===
+A ball enters and go one of two (or more) directions.
+Examples:
+* [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2585509 Duplo marble run fork]
+* [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3006994 Duplo Marble Run Split]
+=== Funnel / hole ===
+A vertical hole. The ball enters, can optionally rotate, and then drops.
+=== Joins ===
+Balls can come from 2 directions and join in a single track. One also could use this element as (random) fork (split)
+=== Loop ===
+Ball does one loop. This requires initial speed. It exists as fixed element or can be achieved with flexible track elements.
+Examples:
+* [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3072314 Lego Marble Run] (a set)
+* [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3196190  Marble run roller coaster]
+=== Marble pump ===
+Can lift a marbel from the bottom to the top. Typically, a large spiral that is either operated by hand or by a motor.
+=== Spiral ===
+Spirals are connected curves, usually 2 or 3 complete turns
+=== Start/end ===
+A run with a wall at one end. May contain a little depression to keep the ball in place.
+=== Track / Runs ===
+A usually straight (not bended) run that can be flat or go downhill a bit or a lot.
+Variants:
+* short/long
+* flat / slope (weak to strong) / cosine / up/down bending / etc. slope
+* rigid / flexible
+Examples of typical track elements can be found in all sets, e.g.
+* [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:994812 Lego Duplo marble run set]
+Some kits also combine various technology (e.g. Lego + Uebelino)
+* [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3089494  Hubelino / Duplo compatible marble run items]
+Examples of flexible runs:
+* [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2187571 Duplo compatible marble run - add on]. Makes use of filament by adding holes and a clip element to [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:159219 this].
+* [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:736756  LEGO compartible flex marble run elements]
+=== Tunnel ===
+A brick that is closed. A variant of almost all the other variants. In case of Lego compatibles, can have nibbles on top to allow building on top.
+Variants:
+* short/long
+* straight / curved
+* flat / slope.
+=== Twister / Cone ===
+Ball enters, rotates and then falls down a hole.
+Examples:
+* [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:942408 Duplo compatible marble run cone]
+* [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:333603 Duplo compatible marble run cones]
-The vendor also includes the block size which indeed uses standard Duplo conventions as explained in the [[Doblo factory]] article. Height should be 19.2mm and not 20mm, but this is maybe a mistake by the graphist.
+=== Various ===
-[[File:Marble-Race-Run-Maze-Ball-Track-Building-Blocks-Plastic-Funnel-Slide-Big-Size-Bricks-Compatible-with2.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Advertising of a marble run product ([https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Marble-Race-Run-Maze-Ball-Track-Building-Blocks-Plastic-Funnel-Slide-Big-Size-Bricks-Compatible-with/32883663718.html Source])]]
+There is an unlimited amount of more complex pieces that can be designed.
+Examples:
+* [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2473498 Duplo compatible marble run system - extend parts set]
 == Links ==

Constructive marble run: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 18:26, 21 October 2021

Contents

Introduction

Types of marble runs