Steampunk Ball Machine

Not a gacha-pop, not a vending machine. Or maybe both, judge for yourself!

A unique STEAMPUNK BALL MACHINE, designed to display the engineering that makes it work.

⚠️ NO EXTRA HARDWARE, JUST PRINTED PARTS! *

Compact, and yet full of details. Even the balls can be 3D printed.

The lever is the engine. It rotates the large front wheel and allows the balls to recirculate in the inner loop. Once the desired ball is placed in the center, through the wheel hole, place a coin and rotate the valve. The ball will be delivered.

To refill the machine, just drop the balls into the chimney. Easy!

It has been designed to be different. To look cool. And, beyond that, to be a fun project. For that reason, I've focused on printability and easy assembly:

• ✅ No supports are needed.
• ✅ No glue, screws, inserts...
• ✅ (*) Just a couple of rubber bands, that's it!
• ✅ Optionally, you can add lights as shown in the pictures. Not mandatory, but recommended.

📝 ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS and additional details can be found in this dedicated site.

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Bundle with included models available!

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Please, read carefully the General Considerations:

• This is a DIY project with many files, printing, and assembly steps.
• It has been designed to fit in a 250 x 250 mm buildplate. For smaller printers, the only way would be to scale it down. Scaled files for 220 mm buildplates are available, reach me if you need them! 😉
• The machine/ball size ratio is very important. At the original size it only works with 60 mm balls.
• 3MFs have been generated in Bambu Studio, and should work fine with OrcaSlicer and its forks. They have the recommended settings and painting. These 3MFs include an assembly view (top right in the slicer), so you can test the color combinations and see how everything comes together.
• However, I STRONGLY RECOMMEND checking and adjusting the settings for your printer, and taking a close look at the gcode preview.
• STLs are also available if you prefer to go wild.
• Do not pay attention to colors in the 3MF. I am colorblind, so I set them just as a reference 😜.
• Tolerances are different for each machine. If something doesn't fit, feel free to adjust the "X-Y compensation" in small increments, such as -0.05 mm (also called "X-Y Contour Compensation" or "Horizontal Expansion"). Only small parts (like fasteners, rivets, and bolts) would need this adjustment.
• For bolts, fasteners, rivets, and springs: I strongly recommend using PETG or any material with good layer adhesion. They work in PLA as well, but might break more easily.
• No printing supports are needed at all.
• Everything has been designed to be assembled without glue, screws, or other hardware.
• Because of how it functions, you need at least 12 balls for it to work.
• You just need a couple of rubber bands, one for the release mechanism (~20-25 mm) and an optional one for the chimney (~80 mm).

That's it. Enjoy!

Check here for Commercial License