5-in-1-out Tile With A 5mm Gradient 3D Printer Model

Author: @
License: CC BY-SA
File formats: stl
Download type: zip
Size:785.6KB

The file '5-in-1-out Tile With A 5mm Gradient 3D Printer Model' is (stl) file type, size is 785.6KB.

Summary

https://youtu.be/nOo6WuGt1tw

When building Gravitrax courses using only genuine parts, I've always been frustrated by the lack of tiles that allow for a 5mm or 10mm drop while also curving at 60 or 120 degrees.

Various designers have created models to address this, and I've printed and used many of them. However, I still face some challenges:

To accommodate the numerous combinations of drop height (5mm or 10mm) and turn angle (60, 120, or 180 degrees), I need to print multiple models for each variation. This results in a significant number of prints.
There are very few models that allow multiple "5mm or 10mm drop, 60 or 120 degree turn" paths to merge into one.

To address these issues, I've designed a new tile. After many iterations and failures, I've finally arrived at this 5 in 1 out tile. 
It can accommodate turns of 60, 120, or 180 degrees with a single tile and can also be used to merge multiple paths.


As you'll find when you try to design, smoothly joining 60-degree short curves is incredibly challenging. This has forced me to rework many of my concepts and designs.

Additionally, tiles with a slope naturally require a sloping design for the entire tile, but I wanted to maximize the usable surface area of the tile by using my custom "Spider Spacers". 
https://www.printables.com/model/1033087-spider-spacers-for-gravitrax
As a result, the top surface of the tile is flat. I apologize for the somewhat crude appearance.


I'm not entirely satisfied with the design, but I think it will serve its purpose!

in-1_5mm_c.stl 820.9KB
in-1_5mm_y.stl 886.1KB
ring_v1.01_normal.stl 133.2KB
ring_v1.01_tighter.stl 133.2KB