String "Climbing" Ball.

A string "climbing" ball toy based on this mechanism: https://www.youmagine.com/designs/string-climbing-mechanism.

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Description

String "Climbing" Ball is based on the dual spool design of this thing: https://www.youmagine.com/designs/string-climbing-mechanism. It doesn't really climb the string, it just appears to do so.

Consisting of 8 unique parts (10 total), and only requiring the purchase of embroidery floss, once assembled String Climbing Ball puts to use the "String Climbing Mechanism" and further illustrates how string climbing toys such as these, some over 100 years old, operate.

And as an added bonus, as shown in the photograph, the lower ring doubles as a display stand to keep your String "Climbing" Ball from rolling away when on display!

Designed using Sketchup Make 2016 and printed in PLA on an Ultimaker 2 Extended.

Video of prototype is here:

Materials and methods

Printer Type and Settings:

Ultimaker 2 Extended, .1mm resolution, 20% infill. I used a brim for the two hemisphere parts, but a raft may also work.

Parts I Purchased:

1) Embroidery floss (super center, sewing shop, Amazon, etc). Sewing thread is too thin, and standard cotton string is too large and frays.

Printing:

Print 2 "Tower.stl" and "Ring.stl", then print 1 each of the remaining pieces.

Assembly:

Prior to assembly, test fit and trim, file, sand, etc. all parts as necessary for smooth movement of moving surfaces, and tight fit for non moving surfaces. Depending on the colors you chose and your printer settings, more or less trimming, filing and/or sanding will be required. If the tight fitting components are too loose, add a small dot of cyanoacrylate to each side of the pin, allow to dry completely (I use accelerator to speed the process), then try the fit again. Repeat until tight.

Assemble as per "Assembly.stl". I perform the assembly task in the following order:

1) Press "Spool Center.stl" onto "Spool Large.stl".

2) Press "Spool Small.stl" onto "Spool Large.stl".

3) Press "Axle.stl" into "Spool Large.stl".

4) Cut two 24" lengths of embroidery floss, and tie a knot into one end of each piece.

5) Starting with the unknotted end, thread the embroidery floss into the small hole in "Spool Large.stl" starting from the flat side, then pull it all the way through until the knot sits inside the hole. Secure the knot in the hole using cyanoacrylate glue.

6) Repeat step 5 for "Spool Small.stl".

7) Wind the embroidery thread onto the spools in opposite directions. On the large spool, leave about 4" of embroidery thread unwound, the small spool about 10" of embroidery thread unwound.

8) Slide one axle into one of the "Tower.stl", then the other into the second "Tower.stl", then press the assembly into "Hemisphere Bottom.stl" making sure the short embroidery floss exits the hole in the bottom of "Hemisphere Bottom.stl".

9) Insert the embroidery floss from the small spool through the hole in "Hemisphere Top.stl", then slide the top down the floss, align it with the towers, then press onto "Hemisphere Bottom.stl".

10) Tie one "Ring.stl" to the embroidery thread from the large spool. I tied a double knot, secured the knot with cyanoacrylate glue, then trimmed away the excess. This ring is the "lower ring".

11) Tie the remaining "Ring.stl" to the thread from the small spool and secure and trim it as was done to the lower ring. This is the "upper ring".

12) Pick the entire assemble up by the rings, the upper ring on top. Pulling either ring will cause String Climbing Ball to climb the embroidery floss. Allowing the embroidery floss to go slack will allow gravity to return String Climbing Ball to the lower ring.

Hope you print one!