Mass Relay from Mass Effect

Space exploration… what does it bring to mind? Primarily, the idea of easy access to the farthest reaches of the galaxy and the chance to visit alien worlds.

This is exactly the purpose of the Mass Relays in the Mass Effect game—they enabled rapid travel between other relays scattered across the galaxy. Upon discovering a Mass Relay, humanity in the game made a huge technological leap, gaining access to the entire Milky Way and joining a galactic community composed of numerous species.

The model I am presenting to you is a miniature version of a Mass Relay, complete with rotating, movable rings. It is designed to connect with the Clock Components Kit - 011. Thanks to its thoughtful construction, the statuette synchronizes the movement of its rings with the second hand, and the entire figurine completes a 360-degree rotation over the course of an hour.

No worries if you don’t have the clock kit or don’t plan to purchase it. In the Publish Print Profiles section, you’ll find an alternative base model that requires no mechanisms, allowing the figurine to serve as a static display piece.

FeedBack

Seeing that some of you are experiencing issues with the proper functioning of the ring, I want to help address this problem. Every printer, filament, and their configurations significantly impact print quality and accuracy. For this project, the precision of the ring print is crucial, as it needs to fit perfectly into the watch module's socket. To assist, I’ve prepared an additional file with various sizes of the ring’s leg—hopefully, this will help someone. I also recommend increasing filament cooling for better results.

Instruction

What you will need:

• A knife and other tools for edge finishing
• Quick-drying glue
• Optional: sandpaper
• Clock kit
• AA battery

I will now describe the assembly process and the necessary steps to correctly assemble the model. The model consists of the following components:

• lower part of the relay,
• upper part of the relay,
• connecting piece between the two parts,
• relay ring,
• four antennas,
• base,
• nameplate,
• letters.

Let's start assembling:

1. To begin, detach all supports and smooth the surfaces if necessary. A knife and sandpaper may come in handy. Process the ring and the base in the same way. The ring is printed as a single piece, and the inner ring can be manually rotated; however, the first attempt may require more force. Afterward, it should rotate smoothly but with slight resistance. Pay special attention to the ring’s foot, the legs of the lower relay part, and the antennas.

2. Before assembly, I recommend testing if the ring and relay fit with the clock module; they should hold firmly while allowing rotation around the axis. Once tested, you can proceed with the assembly.

3. There is a slot in the lower part of the relay for inserting the ring; this must be done first, as it will be impossible later.

4. Both parts of the relay have a square opening for the connector, which helps with precise alignment of the model. Additionally, I recommend using glue to secure these parts permanently.

5. Insert an AA battery into the clock module, then slide the entire module into the base so that it aligns with the base floor.

6. Insert the letters into the designated spots on the nameplate, applying glue if needed.

7. Then, attach the completed nameplate to the base.

8. On the assembled base, mount the relay model by first pressing the relay into place, then carefully attaching the ring. Adjust the ring’s height to avoid it rubbing against the relay.

If all parts are correctly aligned and assembled, you should notice the ring moving, and over time, the entire model will slowly rotate. Remember to place it in a spot with enough space to allow free rotation.

Enjoy
 

Note: The videos showcasing the model are speed up 60x or 120x