Apex - Marble Machine by Elegant Marble Machines

Elegant Marble Machines

Toys & Games>Other Toys & Games

Print Profile(3)

All

P1P

P1S

X1 Carbon

X1E

A1 mini

0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 10% infill

Designer

10.1 h

1 plate

4.7(54)

Apex-Marble MAchine, 0.2mm layer,2 walls,10% infill, A1 mini

11.6 h

2 plates

4.9(13)

With Balls 117% Scaled 0.16mm layer, 2 walls, 10% infill

23.1 h

4 plates

Boost

656

1203

110

1.7 k

636

Released

Description

Summary

Introducing Apex—an entrancing 3D printed marble machine. Watch the marbles carefully as the spiral lifts them up, and they weave down a plinko board, stairs, and various other tracks.

The machine uses 8mm or 5/16" marbles (the distinction is negligible), but can be scaled up proportionally to use larger marbles.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76Xtjbtv-K8

If you like marble machines, check out some of my other work!
https://elegantmachines.etsy.com

Dimensions:
-Length: 6.75" (170mm)
-Width: 5.75" (150mm)
-Height: 5.5" (140mm)

*Please ensure ball bearings are out of reach for children under 5, as they present a potential choking hazard.

Print settings

No supports are required for any of the four main files (everything except the crank). A layer height of around 0.16mm (or 0.2mm) is recommended, at least for the main machine. A printer bed size of at least 170mm x 170mm X 140mm is needed. The crank is another, optional, way to spin the marble machine, and does require supports to print.

The story

I designed this machine over the summer of 2023. Surprisingly, the failure rate (number of marbles that fell out or jammed / number of marbles cycled) was only 0.4% for the first version of the design--not bad! I raised a few walls, added a few supports, and made the track steeper in a few places; the second iteration had a much better failure rate of 0.06%. Still, that wasn't up to my standards (below 0.02%). Fortunately, the third version did meet standards; it had no failures after cycling 20,000 marbles. Still, I didn't stop there. Since then, I've optimized the design further, cutting out unnecessary supports, reducing filament usage, and reinforcing various sections. As of December 2023, I'm on the eighth version of this design, and I still have ideas for micro-optimizing it.

Comment & Rating (110)

@Resyekt

Print Profile

0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 10% infill

EDIT TO ADD- there’s a 5 pack of other iterations of this marble machine on his Etsy for less than 10 bucks. Just an fyi because I wouldn’t of thought to check out his Etsy I’ve printed a ton of marble mazes and this has to be one of the best if not the best. it printed flawlessly without supports and popped together in 30 seconds. I’d give it 6 stars if I could.

(Edited)

@jinivus

Print Profile

0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 10% infill

printed really nicely in rainbow fillament, no supports required

@tDak1307

what is the brand of the rainbow filament you used!!!???

(Edited)

@jinivus

Replying to @tDak1307 :

It was YOUSU3D Rainbow Silk for this one.

(Edited)

@geniejhang

Print Profile

0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 10% infill

Wonderul!

@T3rryX

Print Profile

0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 10% infill

fun print for the kids.

@zackaroo5592

Boosted

Print Profile

Apex-Marble MAchine, 0.2mm layer,2 walls,10% infill, A1 mini

pretty good!

@Zoomy

Boosted

Print Profile

Apex-Marble MAchine, 0.2mm layer,2 walls,10% infill, A1 mini

printed perfectly, truly amazing print. one suggestion, the center area where all the balls hang out waiting for the elevator, give that area a light slope downward toward the center so the balls get in the elevator instead of hanging out around the outside. I kept having to give it a shake so the balls would cooperate 😂🤦 it doesn't have to be much, just enough so gravity can do it's thing. otherwise it came out perfect, thanks

(Edited)