Sometimes we humans need to build machines with the sole purpose of demonstrating the effects of gravity on a steel sphere. This is a machine that happily fulfills that purpose.   Be mesmerized by the combination of engineering and physics resulting from the simple motion of turning a gear.  Watch as the steel ball bearings gain potential energy as they're being lifted by the big wheel, only to be converted to kinetic energy as they roll around the well and tumble back to the bottom.  Be amazed by the fact that this whole thing is 3D Printed.

This download includes all of the STL files needed to print your own Gravity Well desk sculpture and requires no additional tools for assembly. This piece will bring you some needed meditation reminding you that there is order in the universe after all.

You will need to purchase 1/2" ball bearings (or 12-12.5mm) which can be found here:
https://geni.us/halfinchBallBearings 


Recommended print settings:
Layer Height: 0.2mm (All Parts except Well) | 0.1mm for Well 
Nozzle: 0.4mm

The largest file size is the dish, which is 205mm x 205mm.  All the files have been pre-oriented to save you some set up time. 

The Gravity Well

Base.STL

A clock that runs by balancing marbles on a teeter totter!  Once every ten minutes, the top seesaw tips, dropping a ball onto the the 10 minutes track.  Every hour, the 10 minutes track tips, dropping a ball onto the Hour track, and every 12 hours, all the tracks tip, and the clock starts from 1.

I have included the step file to help you with assembly!  Feel free to make mods at your pleasure, however note the files are for personal use only.

This video shows the whole assembly process:

https://youtu.be/GmLEBhJY5ks

The STL File:

Prints on all standard 3d printers, requires the following additional parts:

11 3x10x4 bearings: https://geni.us/ytgU1tC
M3 Screw Kit https://geni.us/CnX30
32 0.5in ball bearings: https://geni.us/uLEbw
Nema 17 Motor https://geni.us/IbL6D0
1 GT2 Pulley https://geni.us/l3MG
You will also need a way to drive the Stepper Motor: 

I recommend this board: https://geni.us/2sH7WYY
Real Time Module (Optional): https://geni.us/rtKYLJT
(Here is a really good tutorial for driving clocks with a stepper motor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR4PXR7RXEY&t=253s)

Recommended print settings:

Layer Height: 0.2mm

Nozzle: 0.4mm

Infill: 15-18% 

Can print on any standard sized printer.

**All the files have been pre-oriented to save you some set up time! All you need to do is drop the parts into your slicer and hit print!

The Tipping Marble Clock

Tipping Clock Full Assembly.STEP

This is a pack for Matrixed Marble Machines that contains models for catching a marble on a swing-arm and then swinging it down before releasing it back in the direction it came.
Additional materials required to build this model include neodymium magnets, bearings and M3 hardware.
Consult included documentation for an exact bill of materials.

Swing Arm Dropper Pack

swing arm dropper.stl

This is a pack for Matrixed Marble Machines that contains a model that has a 3x3 unit gravity well. Marbles can enter from any side and they will swirl down the gravity well like a cyclone, or like matter circling a black hole.
Additional materials required to build this model include neodymium magnets.
Consult included documentation for an exact bill of materials.

Gravity Well Pack

gravity well.stl

This is a pack for Matrixed Marble Machines that contains 3 types of fancy connecting rails: wobble rails, uneven rails, and undulating rails. Rails span from 2 to 10 units.

Fancy Rail Pack

wobble rail 4.stl

This is a pack for Matrixed Marble Machines that contains models for building a track switching module that routes balls alternately to the left or the right.
Additional materials required to build this model include neodymium magnets, bearings and M3 hardware.
Consult included documentation for an exact bill of materials.

Switch Pack

switch body.stl

This is a collection of Matrixed Marble Machines models which can be combined to build helical (spiral) ramps of nearly any height and configuration.
Additional materials required to build this model include neodymium magnets.
Consult included documentation for an exact bill of materials.

This pack is also part of the [Clock Starter Pack](https://thangs.com/designer/HFoG/collection/Matrixed%20Marble%20Machines%20Clock%20Starter%20Pack-31422).

Spiral Pack

spiral left top.stl

This is a pack for Matrixed Marble Machines that adds models and instructions for building three counter modules that can be used to turn your machine into a rolling ball clock. There are models in this pack which can be used to count minutes, tens of minutes, and hours.
Additional materials required to build this model include neodymium magnets, bearings and M3 hardware.
Consult included documentation for an exact bill of materials.

This pack is also part of the [Clock Starter Pack](https://thangs.com/designer/HFoG/collection/Matrixed%20Marble%20Machines%20Clock%20Starter%20Pack-31422).

Clock Pack

minutes tray.stl

This is one of my all time favourites- instead of a pendulum, this escapement uses a ball bearing rolling along a track to keep time.  At the end of the track, the escapement hits a trigger which causes the track to slant the other way, starting the cycle again.

The video below shows how easily this mechanism can be assembled!

**The STL File:**

Prints on all standard 3d printers without supports, requires the following additional parts to assemble:

- 4 M4x12| 2 M4x20 Screws (https://amzn.to/3zgQb8f)
- 8 M4 Washers (https://amzn.to/3SApQsQ)
- 6 624Z 13mm OD/4mm ID Bearings (Like these https://amzn.to/3DtUUpH)
- 1mm Nylon String or Fishing Line (I used string from this set https://amzn.to/3DtUUpH)
- 7 Ball Bearings (https://amzn.to/3stFWKd)

Recommended print settings:

Layer Height: 0.2mm
Nozzle: 0.4mm
Infill: 15-18% 
Total Filament Required: ~200g
Minimum Build Plate Required: 205x205mm

**All the files have been pre-oriented to save you some set up time! All you need to do is drop the parts into your slicer and hit print!

marble run

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The Gravity Well

The Tipping Marble Clock

Swing Arm Dropper Pack

The Rolling Ball Escapement