Marblevator Christmas Tree, 2025

A Marblevator Christmas Tree for 2025.

As usual I probably forgot a file or two or who knows what else, so if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask as I do make plenty of mistakes.

Designed using Autodesk Fusion 360, sliced using Ultimaker Cura 4.12.1, and 3D printed in PLA on Ultimaker S5s.

1. Soldering iron and solder
2. Sharp hobby knife
3. Needle nose pliers
4. Thick cyanoacrylate glue
5. Jewelers files

I acquired the following parts:

1. One dual AA battery holder with switch.
2. One N20 30RPM 6VDC gear motor (optional 60RPM).
3. Four 10mm nylon spheres.

I 3D printed the following parts at .15mm layer height, 20% infill, and no supports:

1. One "Foot, Track.stl".
2. Three "Foot.stl".
3. One "Guide.stl".
4. One "Lift Screw.stl".
5. One "Motor Gear (1.5m 16t).stl".
6. One "Star Back.stl".
7. One "Star Front.stl".
8. One "Track Support 1.stl".
9. One "Track Support 2.stl".
10. One "Track Support 3.stl".
11. One "Track Support 4.stl".
12. Twelve "Track Support Pin.stl".
13. One "Track Supports Mount.stl".
14. One "Track.stl".

This mechanism is a high precision print and assembly using at times very small precision 3D printed parts in confined spaces with highly precise alignment. Prior to assembly, I test fitted and trimmed, filed, drilled, sanded, etc. all parts as necessary for smooth movement of moving surfaces, and tight fit for non moving surfaces. Depending on your slicer, printer, printer settings and the colors you chose, more or less trimming, filing, drilling and/or sanding may be required to successfully recreate this model. I carefully filed all edges that contacted the build plate to make absolutely certain that all build plate "ooze" is removed and that all edges are smooth using small jewelers files and plenty of patience.

This mechanism also uses threaded assembly, so I used a tap and die set (M8 by 1.25) as required for thread cleaning.

To assemble the track, I performed the following steps:

1. Cleaned out the track support pockets with a sharp modeling knife and file.
2. Snapped "Track Support 1.stl" onto "Track.stl" starting with the inner most track hook.
3. Pressed one "Track Support Pin.stl" into the track support socket and track hook.
4. Repeated the previous step with two more track support pins.
5. Repeated the previous two steps with the remaining track supports and pins.

To assemble the base, I performed the following steps:

1. Pressed "Lift Screw.stl" into the center hole in "Track Supports Mount.stl", making certain that the lift screw was flush with the bottom of the track supports mount and aligned such that a nylon sphere easily enters the lift screw entrance hole. When properly positioned, I secured the lift screw to the track supports mount using small dots of glue.
2. Carefully positioned the track assembly over the base assembly.
3. Pressed the free ends of the track into the two holes on the screw lift exit hole ramp at the top of the screw lift.
4. Rotated the track to align track support four with the square hole in the track supports mount nearest the ramp, then pressed all four track support mounts into the base assembly such that the track support pins were flush with the bottom of the track supports mount.

For final assembly, I performed the following steps:

1. Glued "Star Back.stl" to "Star Front.stl".
2. Soldered the battery pack wires to the gear motor such that the motor shaft rotated counter clockwise when viewed from the motor shaft end of the gear motor.
3. Pressed the gear motor into the base assembly.
4. Pressed "Motor Gear (1.5m 16t).stl" onto the gear motor shaft.
5. Slid "Guide.stl" into the bottom of the base assembly aligning the guide gear teeth with the motor gear teeth.
6. Threaded the star assembly onto the top of the guide.
7. Glued "Foot, Track.stl" onto the base assembly leg nearest the base track.
8. Glued the three "Foot.stl" onto the remaining base assembly legs.

With assembly complete, I turned on the battery box switch, added the nylon spheres, and off it went!

And that is how I 3D printed and assembled "Marblevator Christmas Tree, 2025".

I hope you enjoyed it!