Constructive marble run
Introduction
A constructive marble run kit allows children and grown ups to create their own marble run.
See also:
A marble run can be used to explain some physics principles.
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) |
 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:
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.
Some kits also combine various technology (e.g. Lego + Uebelino)
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:
Links
List of products
We don't have time to conduct a serious evaluation.
The following search provide a lot of products:
- https://www.google.com/search?q=constructive+marble+run
- https://www.aliexpress.com/af/marble-run.html?
3D printables
Commercial
Free
- See above