Toroidal Accelerator

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Brent Peterson

Toys & Games>Outdoor Toys

IP Report

GIF

Print Profile(4)

All

X1 Carbon

P1S

P1P

X1E

H2D

A1 mini

H2D Pro

H2S

P2S

H2C

X2D

A2L

Toroidal Accelerator (0.20mm Custom)

Designer

9.6 h

5 plates

4.8(14)

Gear Assemblies (0.20mm Custom)

Designer

6.8 h

4 plates

5.0(1)

Upgraded Spring Inserts (0.20 Custom)

Designer

2.8 h

3 plates

5.0(1)

Toroidal Propeller (0.16mm Balanced)

Designer

30 min

1 plate

4.8(5)

Open in Bambu Studio

Boost

621

1401

753

216

Released

Bill of Materials

Maker's Supply Kits and Parts

Select all

Oil Impregnated Bronze Bushings

M3 Socket Head Shoulder Machine Screws (SHSS)

Bambu Filaments

Select all

PLA Basic

Black (60101) / Filament with spool / 1kg

Description

Boost Me (for free)

Like the model and want to support the designer? Click the button to boost, it's free! 🚀

Introducing the Toroidal Accelerator, the latest version of my Toroidal Launcher and most ambitious project to date! The design is powered by a 3D printed spring and features a one-way roller clutch bearing, single stage gearbox and compliant ratchet mechanism to enable easy and consistent launches. Experiment with different gear ratios, spring designs and engineering-grade filaments from Bambu Lab to create your own custom high powered launcher!

Demonstration of one-way roller clutch bearing (click for GIF on mobile)

Printing Tips

To avoid layer adhesion issues always clean build plate using water and a light soap (wiki guide)
For best results run flow rate calibration on all filaments to ensure dimensional accuracy
All parts have been designed to print using the Standard 0.20mm preset with the following changes
- Arachne wall generator, 3° wall transitioning angle
- 60 outer wall speed, 150 inner wall speed
- 20% gyroid infill
- Avoid crossing walls
- 5 walls (planet carriers only)

Hardware Parts

The following hardware is required to assemble each planet carrier. If you would like to print and assemble all possible gear ratios you can purchase four sets of SHSS screws for a total of 20PCS (bronze bushings are sold as 20PCS).

M3x4x12 SHSS Machine Screw (5PCS) - (AA123)
4x8x8mm Oil Impregnated Bronze Bushings (5PCS) (ED004)

Assembly Walkthrough

Begin assembly by snapping the flexible ring into place on the upper housing

Press a bronze bushing into each of the three planet gears and spring insert as shown above

Secure planet gears to the carrier using a SHSS screw for each and making sure to insert the sun gear before installing the final planet gear

Close the ring gear around the assembled planet carrier, making sure the gears are able to spin freely before inserting the assembly into the housing

Secure the gear assembly by threading the one-way clutch onto the housing as shown above, making sure the rollers are facing away from the gears

Secure the printed spring insert to the planet carrier with the remaining two SHSS screws; the spring arms should be able to rotate freely reducing material stress

Complete the assembly by aligning the housing knob with the printed spring and screwing tight to the one-way bearing (the ratchet may click a few times)

When disassembling the launcher the one-way roller clutch bearing can be unscrewed from the housing using the included tool (shown above)

Frequently asked questions

Can the gears be lubricated?

Yes, you can apply a plastic-safe lubricant (e.g. Super Lube 51004) to reduce the friction of the gear components but do not lubricate the roller clutch bearing since it requires friction to operate correctly.

I'm having trouble getting the gears to spin, what can I do?

The first step is to always try reassembling the gears and housing, taking care to mesh the gears before closing and inserting the ring gear. If you're certain the gears are meshed correctly and there is too much friction it's recommended to run flow rate calibration on all filaments used for gear components to ensure dimensional accuracy.

Is there any way to fine-tune the gears even more?

You can try adjusting the X-Y contour compensation in Bambu Studio (under Quality → Precision) and print a single stage of the launcher gears to check the fit. Once you are satisfied with the fit of a single stage the same compensation setting can be used to print the remaining stages to achieve a similar fit.

Can I showcase the design on my YouTube/Instagram/TikTok or other social medial platform?

Of course! You're more than welcome to showcase or feature the 3D printed model in any blog, short/long form video or other content as long as you provide credit to the designer and a link to the exclusive design here on MakerWorld. Be sure to leave a comment with a link to your content and I will showcase the best videos here directly on the model page!

Can I sell the printed design or files?

The design will always be free for anyone with a 3D printer to print for themselves and gift to others but if you are interested in selling the printed models for profit I offer several options through Patreon and the MakerWorld membership program, click the button below to learn more!

Membership

Click to learn more about licensing options!

Join

Community Support

Thank you to everyone who downloads and prints the Toroidal Accelerator! If you would like to support my design work and the development of more fun and functional 3D printed models the easiest way is to simply click the button below and Boost the model for free.

Boost Me (for free)

Click the button to boost 🚀

If you would like to support even more you can purchase filament through the official Bambu Labs store using the links in the Bill of Materials or with a monthly donation through Patreon or the MakerWorld membership program linked above.

Change Log

Mar. 26th, 2025 - Restructured print profiles and updated settings to print faster
Mar. 24th, 2025 - Initial model release

Comment & Rating (60)

@instantlx

Finnally I made it work. The spring may help those people with weak wrists. but it can't fly as high as the pro version.

The designer has replied

@BrentPeterson

Thanks for the review and sharing all the pictures. The pro version definitely works the best for all sizes but I've found this model to be pretty close with small propellers if you can print a strong enough spring since the limiting factor with small propellers is usually speed.

@instantlx

Replying to @BrentPeterson :

Thanks for reply. I enjoyed every version of your Toroidal launcher. I have printed the v1, v2, pro (early version) and pro (lastest version). Thank you for sharing all these wonderful designs. My 3D printer won't be so joyful without them.

@user_3003834137

Finally done it.

@Phipo

is there a stop at the end of the mechanism/ can it be „overcharged“? asking for a 3 year old…

The designer has replied

@BrentPeterson

The mechanism stops when the spring is wound tight, it's definitely not advisable to overdo it since it's possible to snap the arms if you keep trying to turn the knob when it's fully wound. I've done a fair bit of testing and refining of the spring design so now I'm collecting feedback to see if there are any improvements needed.

@Revolver3D

Replying to @BrentPeterson :

could you make a fully 3d printed version? don't got the money to get the pieces.

@BrentPeterson

Replying to @Revolver3D :

I'm definitely going to attempt a completely 3D printed version, I have some ideas but wanted to create this Maker's Supply version first. The easiest way to stay up to date with new models and updates is to follow my profile and check the Community tab so stay tuned!

(Edited)

@user_1105091658

Print Profile

Toroidal Propeller (0.16mm Balanced)

Nice project and fun to boot. Flys nicely. Great engineering 👍

@user_1105091658

Print Profile

Toroidal Accelerator (0.20mm Custom)

Very impressed with your design! It is also fun and a good conversation piece. Thanks.

@Cornpone47

Print Profile

Toroidal Accelerator (0.20mm Custom)

super cool design! It shows how much work went into creating it.

@Kubakuba

Boosted

Print Profile

Toroidal Accelerator (0.20mm Custom)

Very good design

@instantlx

2025-4-1 update I printed the upper shell and the gears today and found the surface much better (see picture 5). So I guess my P1s was just tired yesterday. Metal parts will arrive tomorrow. Then we'll see the result. Your pro version was very successful. I enjoyed it very much. =========== 2025-3-31 how did you make some parts rough surface in simulation but plain in edit mode? ps. I get the gears not well printed. How can I fix it? I've run the flow rate calibration already. I ordered the metal parts and they may arrive the day after tomorrow. Now I just printed the last piece and I found the top shell may need some supports. see the blue one, I printed it without support, PETG. Have to try it again with support tomorrow. My wife hate the noise so I can't print at night. I boosted on China site. Sorry for can't boost here, too. Because my machine is China version. ======

(Edited)

@h2r8mzjznm

Print Profile

Toroidal Propeller (0.16mm Balanced)

@user_1230927119

You should make a YouTube channel

The designer has replied

@BrentPeterson

It's one of the things I've been considering, what kind of YouTube videos would you like to see?

License

If you want to use this model commercially, please join my membership.

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This user content is licensed under a Standard Digital File License.

You shall not share, sub-license, sell, rent, host, transfer, or distribute in any way the digital or 3D printed versions of this object, nor any other derivative work of this object in its digital or physical format (including - but not limited to - remixes of this object, and hosting on other digital platforms). The objects may not be used without permission in any way whatsoever in which you charge money, or collect fees.