Marble Lift System for Funtime Marble Roller System V1.1

This is a marble lift system that works with the Marble Funtime Marble Roller system, version 1.1.

November 11th, 2021: A minor modification to the worm drive cover so that the hole for the auger gear was widened to reduce noise and friction.

November 3rd, 2021 I thought that I'd published this weeks ago but it is now showing as unpublished. So, it's now avaiable. The pictures of the shroud are old. All shrouds around the auger are now see through. Shortly I'll have new pictures.

This is backwards compatible with version 1.0 parts of the FunTime Marble Roller System.

For FunTime Marble Roller System V1.1 see https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4916639

For Battery Pack with Switch see: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4989321

Unlike other lift systems this lift can be built as high as you like. Or, as high as is stable. So far I've gone over 310mm without issues. I will be making my marble roller even taller so I'm sure that I'll address any stability issues as I progress.

I tried to designed each part to have minimal supports as well as print times under 5 hours. That depends upon your printer though. This is the reason for the gluing of a couple of pieces which is a bit trivial.

As you can see from the pictures I built a shroud to hold the marble from falling out as it is lifted. I tried a number of other lifts but they would fail too often.

This lift has a shroud that holds the marble from falling out. The flights on the auger are also concaved to hold the marble better.

What extra items that you will need is:

.25" OD vinyl tubing. This can be bought at any hardware store for as little as $.16/foot
https://www.lowes.com/pd/B-K-0-170-in-Inner-Diameter-x-1-ft-PVC-Clear-Vinyl-Tubing/1000116025

Superglue. I recommend the single usage tubes that you can get 4 tubes for $1 at Dollar Tree. Do NOT use a GEL! Gels don't work with most plastics. I learned that out first hand before reading the labels.

1/8" drill bit for reaming the holes for the auger shaft. This bit you'll also use with the lift system to clean out the holes in posts. I recommend getting a hex drill bit so that you can print out a handle but it isn't necessary for this project to do so.

A motor listed below.

Optionally lithium grease, or white grease as there are gears. I have yet to do this and may not ever do so because of the mess that it will cause.

A 2-3mm metal rod for the center of the augers found at your hardware store.
3mm is VERY tight so when printing make the axles 2mm-2.5mm in diameter as it doesn't need to be tight.

This can be printed and it doesn't need to be a continuous piece to work. I've included some 80mm axles. You only need to have about 10mm inserted into each of the auger's ends to be sufficient. Cut to your need. Don't forget to ream out the augers first.

After a very very long time where I tried four different motors I finally gave up and bought a Grawler T45 from my local hobby shop for $13. https://www.hobbytown.com/rc4wd-540-crawler-brushed-motor-55t-rc4ze0003/p-xuyehdfq3qqbg4yz

This provides plenty of torque. I haven't used any lithium grease yet but I may in the future. Whether it helps with wear and noise I can't say at this time. If it doesn't I MAY someday tweak things better to be a bit more quieter.

Assembly of parts.
For a quick and fun marble roller just start at the bottom and work your way up. Decide first if you are using a lift system as that will designate your ending and starting points. Start at the bottom and start working your way up adding rails and connecting them to the posts.

For some parts...
if you want to print these in order of assemble you will want to print the motor mount, the spider coupling, the main worm gear, the worm mount, the worm mount top, the collector plate ( where the marble enters the lift), the augers, the shroud, the top shroud for dispensing the marble, the top cap.

As for gluing items you don't need to glue many and probably don't want to either as you won't be able to break them down. Things like the auger and shroud for example. If you decide that your lift will be at least a specific height always feel free to glue those pieces.

What is needed to be glued together is the worm mount top and the collector plate. As well as the shroud top and top cap. You'll have no need to ever want to separate them.

Before gluing the worm mount top to the base of the collector plate assemble the the pieces to assure that you have them properly aligned. Place the connecting pins(3) to the worm drive cover and place the collector so that you can insert the three pins. You can only mount it one way. I recommend taking a black marker and circling the holes on the bottom of the collector so as to see them better when connecting the two pieces.
Then, pick up the collector and apply glue to the worm drive cover and the bottom of the collector and re-assemble. This will assure that everything is properly lined up.

Gluing the top shroud piece and the cap is similar.

As with the Funtime Marble Roller System I plan on tweaking and making updates as much and for as long as i can. Any suggestions are appreciated.
I apologize for printing these in neutral PLA as they don't show very well in pictures. The intend of making all the parts in neutral, or as clear as I could was to attempt to reduce the distraction from the marble's movement. I am printing newer pieces in Turquoise as it is easier to see the parts, and it looks nice. :)