Roll Hexfinity: Infinite Ball System Starter Pack

New! 

1. Roll Hexfinity Lift System - The long awaited for ball lift is here! Also with a fully motorized option.
2. Atomic Hexfinity - An order of magnitude more possibilities for Roll Hexfinity! No longer are you limited to the original 11 bricks, you can build your own bricks from “sub-atomic” pieces. But Atomic Hexfinity goes far beyond that. Explore the possibilities with this exciting expansion to the Hexfinity universe.
3. Atomic Hexfinity Bridges - Span gaps up to 5 hexes (210) mm long
4. Roll Hexfinity Spirals - Fast, satisfying and infinitely stackable spiraling ball path pieces
5. Roll Hexfinity Air - Open air, ultralight collection of Roll Hexfinity bricks, plates and pillars for building larger, taller roll sculptures
6. 8mm Roll Hexfinity Balls - No steel balls? No problem! Now you can print your own 8mm balls
7. Big Roll Hexfinity - Roll Hexfinity for 16mm Marbles - Go Big! Fun for all ages!

There’s something so satisfying about roll mazes – the physics, the predictability, sometimes unpredictability, even the sound. However, I don't know about you, but I get board quick with rolling balls down the same path every time. What about Marble Run systems? The problem is they rely on a bunch of very specialized parts that can only be configured in a few ways. They run out of possibilities quickly. I wanted a system more like L-E-G-O bricks - where just a few simple parts can create infinite possibilities.

That’s why I created Roll Hexfinity. From simple pieces you can design endless, mesmerizing roll mazes. 

If you love elegant modular systems, roll mazes or just love hexagons, Roll Hexfinity is for you!

Roll Hexfinity 

Roll Hexfinity is designed for 8mm steal ball bearings like those found in the Maker's Beginner Kit. Beyond the balls, this Roll Hexfinity Starter Pack, has everything you need to get started:

• Three 21mm 3-Path Roll Bricks These are the core building block. Each brick has 3 paths: one straight, one curved left and one curved right. Even with 3 bricks there are many configurations, but expand to 6, 12, 24, 48 or more to unlock unlimited possibilities.
• One 21mm Source Brick & One 14mm Sink Brick Launch your marbles with precision and let them end their journey in style—every epic roller maze needs a memorable start and finish.
• Base and Plate Components:
  • One 3hex 0mm base
  • One 3hex 7mm plate
  • One 2hex 7mm plate
  • One 1hex 7mm plate

Print out one plate and the fun begins. Print out multiple plates and the possibilities exponentiate.

Note: The starter pack specified here is optimized for the A1Mini’s 180mm x 180mm print area. For those using an A1 or any printer with a 256x256 print area, I’ve provided an option to print twice as many parts in one run—maximizing your efficiency and creative output. In either case, I encourage you to print more and more parts! The more you have, the bigger mazes you can create. I’ve already printed over 100 parts and each new batch opens up new possibilities.

Hexagons Are the Bestagons!

Why hexagons? Of all the regular polygons that tile the plane, next to squares and triangles, hexagons reign supreme:

1. They Offer the Most Edges for Roll Possibilities: With six sides, hexagons provide the maximum number of edges for roll inputs and outputs. More edges mean more potential connections—unlocking endless creative pathways for your marbles to travel. This flexibility lets you construct intricate networks that traditional maze modules, limited to just a few configurations, simply can’t match.
2. They Boast a Maximum Area-to-Circumference Ratio: Hexagons are geometrically efficient—they waste less space on the outer edges and reserve more area in the center for rolling fun. This design minimizes wasted space and maximizes the available area for dynamic, engaging roll paths, ensuring every inch is dedicated to the action.
3. They’re Beautiful: Hot take: hexagons are the most aesthetically pleasing of all regular polygons. Their natural symmetry and balanced proportions exude a sense of harmony and elegance echoed throughout nature. The interplay of straight edges and subtle angles creates a visual rhythm that is both striking and endlessly fascinating—a geometric marvel that is as functional as it is beautiful. Hexagons manage to both tile the plane in a regular, pleasing pattern and yet still be surprising and delightful. While grids are nice and predictable, they tend to be a little boring. Once you start placing modules on top of hexagons, you get unexpected, captivating patterns that truly delight.

Go High! Tunnels and Stacking

Roll Hexfinity is designed for stacking and tunnels. The simple 3-path brick—and every other brick—can stack on top of each other, creating tunnels and unlocking infinite possibilities in the third dimension. With this vertical versatility, you’re not just building on a flat plane; you’re venturing into multi-layered, dynamic adventures where marbles can journey through interconnected levels.

(all pieces in the above “Battleship” ball run have now been released - see Expansion Pack #1 and #2)

Gridfinity? Hexfinity?

What does all this have to do with Gridfinity, Zach Freedman’s amazing interlocking, stackable, open sourced storage system? I had to start somewhere with my designs and I found multiple points of inspiration from Gridfinity: 42mm tiling, 7mm heigh increments, and most of all the ingenious interlock system — 3d-print friendly, self-aligning and secure. Therefore, I decided to design the ultimate hex system that was as compatible as theoretically possible with Gridfinity.

I hope you’ll agree that Hexfinity is a worthy inheritor of the Gridfinity lineage. Right now, it’s all about Roll Hexfinity - the roll maze system, but soon I’ll release Stor Hexfinity - a hex-based modular storage system. Further, I’ve got adaptors to add Hexfinity on top of your existing Gridfinity. To hexfinity and beyond!

Gridfinity Compatibility & Interlock Inspiration

Roll Hexfinity is engineered for maximum integration with the Gridfinity ecosystem—well, as much as possible given that squares and hexagons only get along so well. Here’s what that means:

• 42mm Flat-Edge-to-Flat-Edge Spacing: My hexagons are crafted with a 42mm span from flat edge to flat edge, aligning perfectly with Gridfinity standards—in one dimension.
• Every Component Height is a Multiple of 7mm: Every piece is designed in multiples of 7mm—just like Gridfinity. This precision ensures flawless stacking and compatibility with other modular systems.
• Precise Roll Inputs and Outputs: With 10mm diameter roll inputs and outputs centered at multiples of 7mm from the base, each marble’s journey is smooth and perfectly calibrated.
• Inspired by the Genius of Gridfinity: A big shout out to Zach Friedman for his groundbreaking Gridfinity interlock design. Roll Hexfinity's interlock stacking system was inspired by Gridfinity—adapted to work in the hex world. Detailed specifications, diagrams and models are available on GitHub.com/shanebdavis/hexfinity
• Gridfinity Adapters Coming Soon: For those who love to mix and match, Gridfinity adapters are on the way, ensuring your Roll Hexfinity components play nicely with your existing Gridfinity setups.

Open Sourced

Here are all the specifications and building parts needed to start designing your own Roll Hexfinity parts: github.com/shanebdavis/hexfinity

I only ask you let me know what you create and throw a little my credit my way when you do. Cheers!

More to come…

I’ve absolutely loved designing the Roll Hexfinity system, and this first release is just the beginning. I’ve already got so many more ideas in the pipeline—some are nearly ready for prime time, while others are still in the early stages of design.

If you love modular systems and especially if you think hexes are delightful, “click that follow button” to make sure you don't miss these upcoming releases.

Roll Hexfinity Releases:

• Roll Hexfinity Air:  A complete reimagining of the original Roll Hexfinity—redesigned from the ground up to be as lightweight and open-air as possible. This release reworks nearly every original Roll Hexfinity part to use less filament and offer greater visibility of your ball paths, all while remaining fully backward and forward compatible with the entire Hexfinity ecosystem. (hexlock compatible)
• Hexfinity Air Plates: 7mm plates of all sizes (hexlock compatible)
• Hexfinity Air Pillars: Ultralight, strong pillars up to 126mm tall (hexlock compatible)
• Hexfinity Hexlock: Vertically interlock your Hexfinity Air Bricks, Plates and Pillars for greater stability
• Hexfinity Bases: slicer-customizable 0mm bases - any shape and size that fits on your build-plate
• Expansion Pack #1: Split, Merge and Long Curves: Components designed for splits and merges, offering even more pathways for creative maze-building. AND The natural, perfect complement to the 3-Path bricks, unlocking the full potential of the hexagonal layout.
• Expansion Pack #2: Flat Pack: Slowing down the pace—since the balls roll fast on the current pieces—and increasing stacking capabilities with their low 14mm height.
• Expansion Pack #3: The “X” Files: two different “X” bricks - the X1 and the X2 - for criss-crossing your marble flows.
• Hexfinity-to-Gridfinity Adaptor: Stack hexfinity on top of your existing Gridfinity plates and bins! Mix and match the two systems for greater flexibility.
• Note to BambyHandy users: if the links above don't work, try tapping the “roll hexfinity” or “hexfinity” tags below
• Store Hexfinity: (coming soon) Of course I’ll be making hex bins for modular storage, but I’ve also got something even more modular in store (see what I did there?) that will take your organization game to a whole new level.

What are you waiting for?

Are you ready to roll? Try the starter plate. I think you’ll be hooked. Hexfinite possibilities await!

Attribution

• Inspired by Gridfinity by Zack Freedman – check out his original video for a deep dive into the system