Đường Đua Bi (Marble Race Track)

This is still work in progress. I have uploaded it now to list it into the contest and maybe get some feedback. I am not able to fully finish it before the contest closes. If you would like to print it, I think it is best to wait couple of days until I will make some adjustments in the model. I will update this description accordingly. For now it is working, but has some choke points occasionally stopping the marbles.  This bastard took me much more time to design and prototype than I expected. But it was certainly more fun to do that than I expected😊

I am making this track for the contest and for my kids to play. And for myself to use as a drawing machine.

I wanted to blend some features of a marble run  and a marble race track. There are three tracks connecting into one at some point. The marbles are simultaneously starting the race thanks to the cylindrical “starter” at the top. At the end they line up in order from first place to last. The main goal was to get close to random results of the race. So each track should have equal chances to win. This still needs some adjustments but I’m working on it😊

The model still needs optimization in terms of printability and support reduction. I focused first on the track routes and keeping the run times similar. The part connections and aesthetics also need some improvement. I will do it soon.

I am also going to place here some assembly and printing instructions. I think it isn’t very complicated, but surely they will help.

Every part fits a 210x250 plate.

The track is intended for 16 mm marbles. Maybe 15 mm might work too. 16,5 mm don’t😊

It was tested with printed marbles I uploaded. Glass ones also work, but they seem to have inconsistent diameters, so watch out for those a bit larger than 16 mm.