GraviTrack Solar Marble Machine Kit Use solar power to drive the mechanism in this elegant, two-handed marble machine. g derin l o S No ired! Requ Intermediate skill level - ages 12+ No batteries included (or needed it’s solar powered!) Basic hand tools required. 3 hours build time www.solarbotics.com 1-866-276-2687 solarbotics.
GraviTrack Marble Machine Kit PARTS LIST 1 x Set of laser-cut wooden parts GraviTrack GMW Motor mount GM3 Motor 4 x 0.
GraviTrack Solar Marble Machine Kit ASSEMBLY Step 1. Assembling the Linkage All the laser cut parts are labeled and marked per panel. It’s now the simple process of find, prepare, and assemble! 1.1 Get the linkage base (A) from Panel 3. Locate the small curve (B), small arm (C), and 3 x large curves (D). Use the screwdriver to push out any sticking cutouts. 1.2 ½” Assemble the pieces to the linkage base as shown.
GraviTrack Solar Marble Machine Kit ASSEMBLY 1.5 It’s all about being smooth. To ensure graceful operation, shape the arms by scraping & smoothing the edges shown using a sharp knife or sandpaper. Do this for steps 1.6 and 1.7. Scraping should result in 45 degree edges that are about 1mm in width. These 4 edges These 2 facing edges These 4 edges These 4 edges 1.6 ⅜” From panel 2, find the small lifter #1 (J), small lifter #2 (K), lifter spacer #1 (L), and spacer #2 (M).
GraviTrack Solar Marble Machine Kit ASSEMBLY 1.8 Use the #2 screw and washer to pin the triangles and large arm to any of the 4 holes of the plastic GMW motor connector wheel. #2 threaded screw The washer has two sides, make sure the sharp edge is facing outwards, away from the arms. rounded edge washer, sharp edge facing up GMW plastic motor wheel sharp edge 1.9 Attach the linkage base to the marble base (R) as shown, with the marble base logo-side up. Use a little white glue to keep it in place.
GraviTrack Solar Marble Machine Kit ASSEMBLY 2.2 From panel 4, remove motor mount (S) and rock it into position on the other side of the GM3 motor. Glue the tabs into the slots. Side view: (S) (S) 2.3 Secure the motor to the motor mount with 2 x #4 TFS (thread-forming screws). These screws are designed to bit into plastic better than the other screws. #4 TFS screws Step 3. Building the Towers Remove the Small tower (T) from From panel 4, and from panel 2 the marble catch (U), and large tower (V).
GraviTrack Solar Marble Machine Kit ASSEMBLY Step 4. Attaching the Marble Tracks 4.1 From panel 4, find and attach bottom track (W) as shown, using white glue at each tab connection. Start installation at the middle tabs, working out to the ends. glue (W) glue glue 4.2 From panel 2 remove and attach the middle track (X) as shown, again using glue to secure all of the tab connections.
GraviTrack Solar Marble Machine Kit ASSEMBLY 4.3 From panel 4, remove the 2 x large receivers (Y) and 2 x small receivers (Z). (Y) Slot these all into the top of the Large tower (V) as shown. (No glue yet!) (Z) Do not use any glue until the end of the next step as these receivers need be wiggled to help insert the top track. 4.4 From panel 3, slot the top track (A2) into the receiver finger slots. When in place, apply glue in the slots to hold everything in place. glue 4.
GraviTrack Solar Marble Machine Kit ASSEMBLY Step 5. Installing the SolarEngine 5.1 While you won’t do any damage by plugging them in backwards, the SolarEngine will only work properly if the solar panel and capacitor are installed as shown. Batteries don’t work when installed backwards - the same applies to these parts! We will connect the motor now, and the solar panel later.
GraviTrack Solar Marble Machine Kit ASSEMBLY 5.4 You get to pick the best place to mount your solar cell, and the mounting parts from Panel 1 are configurable to suit the need. Assemble them as shown and then insert the mount into one of the locations in the previous step. 5.5 Depending on which location you’ve selected, the solar panel will need to be horizontal or vertical. Place the remainder of the double-sided tape on the back of the solar panel and adhere it to the mount.
GraviTrack Solar Marble Machine Kit TROUBLESHOOTING Linkage jams when the arms are attempting to pass the marble: Use a knife or other sharp edge to shave down the inside of the large lifter arms and the outside of the small lifter arms. See page 5, below step 2.5. Linkage jams during linkage movement, or scraping noise can be heard: Adjust the screws a quarter turn at a time either tighter or looser until smooth, non-jamming movement has been obtained.
See it in action: bit.ly/2y6Aqj0 Solarbotics “No Fear” Warranty If damage occurs during construction, contact sales@solarbotics.com. We’ll make sure you get the replacement parts to have a successful GraviTrack experience! Visit us online for more info and cool stuff: www.solarbotics.com Questions or comments? Let us know! support@solarbotics.com 1-866-276-2687 (TOLL FREE) MON-FRI, 9AM- 5PM MST This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.