Marble Machines on Display

Any feedback/comment/reports on issues is very much appreciated!

- Purin

Prototypes

Teeter Totter Prototype 3

Upward Elevator Prototype

Latest Prototypes

Teeter Totter Prototype 2

Issues:

1. Connection between the two bars -- currently duct tape. Tried fabric but that didn't work out so well.

2. Slow motor still a bit out of sync, even with the power adapters of the same brand.

3. Too fragile?

Upward Elevator Rough Prototype

Issues:

1. Getting the butterfly binder to pick up the marble

2. The fabric tends to go off-track

3. Looks a little flimsy?

Bonus: Magnet Gate

Inspiration

Marble Machine Pump

http://www.sentex.net/~mwandel/marbles/machine1.html

http://www.sentex.net/~mwandel/marbles/machine2.html

At 6-feet tall, the amazing Marble Machine 3 "is powered only by potential energy, a little kinetic energy and gravity. there are no motors, batteries or cranks."

http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/amazing-6-foot-tall-marble-machine-never-stops

more elevator prototyping - Reducing friction

Too much friction keeps this one from working reliably


Using a basket to make a simple elevator, trying to make the marble leave the basket by tilting it.



Making a very light elevator for one marble. The weight of the marble triggers the elevator more reliably.

Lighter material take I.


Lighter material Take II.

Teeter Totter Prototype 1

Not too keen how the mechanism will carry on to higher fidelity prototype; the two slow motors become unsynchronized over time.

Downward Elevator Prototype 1

Running into weight/balance/friction issues here:

1. The marble isn't heavy enough to push the elevator downward.

2. The elevator doesn't reset itself as expected.

Flower cup variation

This is inspired by your flower cup sketch and a marble machine Adam Tobin made.


Doesn't always reset, but often. i think I just have to add more counterweight.

Thoughts on marble clean-up

From Karen
Figuring out an element that collects marbles as a "finale" of sorts would be a super useful. I'm sure you can imagine what it's like to have hundreds of marbles that are being used by visitors. Maybe offering a playful incentive for people to do something with stray marbles. It kind of reminds me of those trash cans that do something to encourage you to throw things in the bin.

Gravity Well

Hey, I used a small gravity well on the marble wall inspired by one of your sketches. That was perhaps the easiest of the 16+ ideas you came up with :). Works well...

The marble of choice

Hey Purin, we are going to use a 5/8" cat's eye marble. Adam uses them in his marble machines, too. Should be easier to build the mechanisms knowing that we have one standard size.

If you want to make something that requires a special size or weight, that's ok too, as long as it's easy to tell them apart from the 5/8" marble.

Sketches

Here's what I've come up with so far...