3D Printed Powered Roller Coaster

[@profgallaugher]

This is wonderful! Congratulations. You mentioned this was a hobby project but it is really interdisciplinary thesis quality work. Sure it’s fun but it includes physics, engineering, programming, design. This professor gives you an A+!

[@jonmendenhall5074]

Thank you very much! I'll probably be doing an individual project like this for the capstone requirement of my undergrad in the fall.

[@danielbruin]

Finally! A model coaster with realistic speeds! looks amazing!

[@Hooplaay]

I would have this running all day in the background, very relaxing.

[@jonmendenhall5074]

That was my hope too, but because it's battery-powered, I'm not able to do that. Right now, I'm thinking about some ideas for another one that wouldn't have to be battery powered and then could run continuously if someone wanted it to.

[@ttgydddsd6305]

@@jonmendenhall5074 I'm thinking you could possibly monitor the battery voltage and when it goes low have a routine where the train pulls into a station that automatically replaces the battery through a drop in/drop out mechanism. The station could use simple servo arms to replace the low battery with a fresh one, and then put the low battery on charge until the cycle completes.

[@nickg6312]

@@jonmendenhall5074 i have a suggestion since you already got the track switcher made up. how about you have multiple trains 2 charging and one running. have your microcomputer monitor battery power and when the levels get too low swap the train with one of the 2 that are charging. you could wirelessly charge them or have the cart indext some sort of port.

[@MACHINEBUILDER]

@@jonmendenhall5074 what about running ground and voltage wires along both sides of the track so the train gets power from the track rather than an on-board battery?

[@erikpip3024]

@@MACHINEBUILDER i was thinking the same thing but as a modal railroader, I've had my fair share of dirty track moments.

[@christopherlee4152]

This project is amazing! You capture the scale and nature of the coaster experience with a fine sense of abstraction. It doesn't need anything more really, but one tiny add. Please put a small speaker on the car so we can hear a few well timed screams! I think the model might have a Doppler effect that you would appreciate.

[@SANITIZEDINC]

Dude. You fixed it! Bravo! Finally a model coaster that looks accurate when in motion. You're awesome, bud. Well done.

[@annekedebruyn7797]

If you own something like a GoPro or know a friend, you should try to print a mount for it. Would love to see how it looks in POV.

[@philipbyrnes7501]

Without a doubt this is about the most clever and deeply intellectual thing that I have yet seen on KZbin. For you to combine so many disciplines together to achieve your ends is simply superb. Just the thought of attempting to make the speeds to actual scale rather than just “let er rip” is a level of thought that most of us don’t possess and to come up with such simple, deeply well thought out solutions to combine together for such a stunningly successful result is breathtaking. Even the idea of not bothering to get the lights exactly synchronised tho you knew you could easily have done so added just another very, very clever layer of realism that few would have ever considered. How true to life is it that they are close but not just right in timing, it makes it look so real as normal wear and tear brings such a result in a full sized mechanism. Bravo and Bravo, what a remarkable young man you are and I pray and hope that your future is as bright as your intellect shines already. Thank you for sharing your remarkable and wonderful work with us all, you truly are up there with you tubers like Matt Cremona, Woodworking, Chris from Clickspring, Metalworking wizardry, and the dream of the crop of 3d printers. Thank you, what a privilege to share in seeing your incredible work, it truly is wondrous, thank you

[@robotics_and_stuff]

You could use small magnets to help the alignment of the track with the storage track.

[@mitchellvanwagoner8119]

It would be really cool if you added a weight distribution function to the animation. So you could see how having a heavy loaded front end for example, might effect the motion of the car!

[@gregg5958]

This is absolutely fantastic. What an ingenious solution to the unrealistic look that model coasters have. And making the controls wireless was ingenious too. I especially love the colors and the use of the LED strip on lift hill. It looks stunning. I’d love to see multiple train operation on this track and if the station had a queue with opening and closing air gates that would just be the icing on the cake!

[@CheapSushi]

I love that the speed is scaled down so you can actually enjoy watching it as it goes through the turns and curves!!!

[@roystevens4333]

I have wanted to do this for years, was planning on a continuous chain embedded in the track. Your application of the motor in the train with an ESP32 is genius.

[@klobiforpresident2254]

If you decide to do something like this on your own and with local power I would suggest using some kind of capacitor (or sc) and recharge it at the breaks / loading area. This would allow continuous operation, unlike a battery, for some added complexity.

[@KiemPlant]

Oh wow I thought the footage was simply slowed down. I always love it when people scale the video speed proportionally to the scale of the coaster to simulate real size speeds. This is even cooler.

[@protoborg]

You designed that in NoLimits 2?! Wow. That's impressive.

[@DLCoates1]

Dude, this is literally a dream come true to a lot of different coaster modelers. Thank you good sir for your ingenuity!

[@bowieinc]

Simply amazing. Just thought of a fun addition, wouldn’t be hard to make one of the storage areas an automatic charging station for the coaster battery:) Just set up some contacts on the base or side “homed” with an additional magnet post. Great Job!

[@b9y]

NO WAY. I had this idea for YEARS to build a roller coaster that simulates real physics, and I searched for a LONG time for resources on how to build my own. Jesus man you're a genius, doing what I couldn't, because I'm a potato with no engineering skills. Honestly, I would buy one at a good price, I think there's a market for it...especially if you add the option to control the speed yourself as a "mode". Maybe even partner with theme parks and get famous coasters made. I would cry if I could build Nemesis from Alton Towers with all the scenery 😂

[@Tristan559]

I've been waiting for someone to do scaled physics and you pulled it off. Bravo!

[@OneAdam12Adam]

Very impressive! Not just the construction was astounding, but the whole planning, conceptualization, printing, engineering of the motorized car, the Raspberry Pi and your iPad app. Mind blowing!

[@sethdymondlee]

This real model coaster is dope! And funny how accurate with weight motion and sound it makes! Well done!

[@madebymartins]

Very cool project! Btw, If you attach a camera at the front of the cart, you can run the cart without a Pre-Simulated Animation and let it go. And then you can just slow down the footage proportionally to the model (1:40) and you will be able to see how it would be in Real Life if you were sitting on your coaster. I forgot how to do that but I remembered that trick while watching your video. I believe there was a video online that was very well documented on how to do that. But Im very impressed by your roller coaster and the electronics! Edit: I didn't watch your video till the end and you did the idea that I gave you ;D

[@WasatchWind]

Now this is absolutely beautiful. I hope to see model coasters with systems like this, they look way cooler.

[@crangos]

Definitely needs Rollercoaster Tycoon sound effects matched to the acceleration. Gorgeous and really cool!

[@Meikulish]

So so cool!!! It even kinda makes the right sound. This feels like a whole can of worms, but have you thought about putting sensors onboard and dynamically simulating the physics? It's not like you're snapping these pieces together out of a kit, but it would be kind of cool to be able to run it on any track. Or to change up the conditions of the simulation on the fly.

[@Meikulish]

Accelerometers would probably struggle to find "down" with the noise from vibrations. Also, the accelerations from the actual turns in the track might be enough to throw them off, even though they're scaled down. If there was some magic "orientation knower" sensor you could do it. If you're already gonna go through the effort of modeling and printing the whole track anyway it really wouldn't be any use, but it's a fun idea.

[@epiphaner]

@@Meikulish a 9dof sensor should do the trick. That's a combination of an accelerometer, a gyroscope and a magnetometer.

[@Meikulish]

@@epiphaner hmmm Neat

[@ScaleTrainStation]

Holy smokes, this is awesome!!! One of the nearly insurmountable issues with scale models is scaling physics, but here you have done it superbly! This would translate to anyone trying to do motion at a scale, great job!

[@TheFringes.]

This is the greatest model I've ever seen, the consistent issue with all the other models is the speed making it look so unrealistic, but you solved it perfectly

[@MasterThief117]

This is SO HECKING COOL! The design methodology and your explanation is just wonderful. Thank you for sharing this with us!

[@gregzielinski]

AWESOME! I've thought of ways of doing this but never had time to try anything. In your testing did you find the motor had to be that big?

[@CylerLink]

the speed makes it necessary to simulate real-life, and it’s satisfying

[@patrickmcginty4385]

I am sincerely impressed! I am amazed at the skill and knowledge you must have used in making this.

[@Jacob_the_Stinky]

The way the roller coaster moves is so calmingly realistic

[@RasmusSE]

If you came here to see the thing running, it starts at 6:20

[@RasmusSE]

@@XenonSCRB Indeed it was, thanks!

[@I.no.ah.guy57]

Dude this is awesome! I dont think ive seen someone make a fully 3D printed rollercoaster. But its beautifully done, sir! Bouta sub right now

[@amethystrose7647]

Wow, now that is cool!!!! I couldn't stop smiling, Thanks for sharing!

[@sanches2]

i love such hobby projects, with so much serious work done, that some pro companies would charge 100s of thousands for the same. The level of dedication and time spent is... wow! and i love that you made the bolts on the flanges and all the artsy things it is wonderful. Send a link to the NoLimits creators they'll like it for sure :)

[@LevenW124]

A very cool project. Such a simple idea of making a model roller coaster but the execution and the attention to detail is epic. Respect your work keep it up.

[@15emo15luke15]

That's so cool, and really damn impressive! And there's so much more you can explore with this. honestly this is like my favourite thing I've seen someone do with 3d printing and hobbyist kit. Can't wait to see what you do next!

[@juliosnap]

This is awesome! It's nice to see people take on ambitious projects.

[@ReevesLittle]

Beautiful work! Such a clean build. Thanks! I realize the goal was scaled down physics (nailed it 👍), but have you ever run it with the motor disengaged? I'd be interested in seeing the comparison.

[@leonarperro]

He can even simulate the "uncontrolled" behavior for that matter!

[@jywilson99]

Amazing work and your use of a parametric design is brilliant!

[@sanches2]

i wanted to write the same thing!

[@StevenStGelais]

Great work! Shows what you can do with a 3D printer! No tool more versatile for modeling things like this

[@mrReoman]

Well done! Do you have any on board pov video from it? Have you any plans to make more? Perhaps Smiler at Alton Towers in England - 10 inversions on that!

[@D4mations]

Absolutely one of theeeee best things I’ve seen on the net in years!!!!!

[@mark4prez20]

So cool! Mind blowing. Looks so realistic running!

[@robmulally]

This is so so cool! Is it just me or does it feel slow in the vertical vectors. I wonder if increasing the simulated gravity by a small factor would help.

[@n3lis94]

That is so wonderful to watch! Mesmerizing to see it go through the track like that, amazing job!

[@JesusMartinez-zu3xl]

When I get near my capstone project I would totally do this for one of my favorite coasters. As a computer science minor and engineering major this would be sick!

[@JesusMartinez-zu3xl]

Quality work man! I imagine these track prints took a long time with trial and error .

[@inkydrinky2692]

Incredible... All dressed up I can see this in a nice office or house. How it moves is captivating!

[@bytesizedengineering]

Great work! Thanks for sharing this!

[@mitchib1440]

This is absolutely beautiful! I'm blown away by how well it all works together. Making it app controlled is just showing off hahaha Well done!

[@jescereal]

Freaking cool! On some rollercoasters I remember a distinct slow down right before getting on the large hill chain. Sort of felt like a delay before the chain would catch the car and pull it up

[@john_hawley]

Design with aesthetics too?! That's some incredible project you've got there, congrats on completing it! I hope a manufacturer hires you to build a model for a trade show in the future, fantastic!

[@charlessnowgillingham9165]

This is amazing! Also love the coasters sounds as it goes around the track

[@nthdesign]

I have a couple questions. My apologies if I missed the answers in your video. And, please don’t feel obligated to answer or divulge your “secret sauce!” 1. Did you print these FDM or SLA? 2. When you said that you printed the track pieces flat and then heated/bent/glued them into shape… did you print the entire track piece flat, or just the gear strip? 3. Does your custom software act as a script to “automate” Autodesk Inventor? In other words, does it read the CSV file and then use that data to automate certain actions in Inventor? I seriously hope this is your resume for Bolliger & Mabillard or Disney Imagineering. Very impressive and entertaining.

[@cuocoexplores87]

This is an absolutely fantastic project! Very well built, super clean! Love the wireless controller setup! 😍💪👊

[@technosworld2]

Awesome job. For my own, I decided to play back the last few minutes at different YT playback speeds just to get an idea of what FEELS realistic to me after seeing large scale coasters...I think you're pretty close, I'd say changing the speed to 1.25 to 1.5 was closer but that's being extremely nitpicky on my part and probably way slower than similar "gravity" small scale coaster models

[@NicAqueous]

What a cool project! Puts a smile on my face.

[@maisaanmufeed438]

Now this is wonderful content, i swear dude if you make content like this for us, you would blow up, rn too you are hella under rated, the amount of incredible talent you have is amazing

[@EdwardChew]

Kinda hilarous to see it accelerate and decelerate like the real thing. Well done! Make it longer!

[@gamercj6501]

This is probably the coolest thing I've ever seen! As a maker myself, I wish I had the time and skills to do something like this!

[@SER198503]

The algorithm chose a good video for once. Awesome work dude!

[@nthdesign]

This is outstanding work, and I thoroughly enjoyed your explanation of the project. As others have said in the comments, interdisciplinary projects like this are fantastic because they give you the opportunity to solve problems across domains in service of building something impressive.

[@Jeffreysuper61McELroy]

I love this it's so cool to see 3d printing being used for this. Are the files public?

[@ChasePhilport]

Imagine an API that lets you export coasters from Planet Coaster, RCT, etc. to any size 3D print, and then calculate physical speeds for something like this. That would be amazing.

[@pi-flux6558]

Awesome work! A first person view camera would push it over the top!

[@julientetrel1016]

So amazing. Good work. One improvement i can see is : put à way to charge the battery when the train is in the station. This way, it should be fully automated.

[@frogsshadow4189]

I'm sure there's a lot of model railroad builders that would love to have something like this, it's awesome

[@IanBradleytheinventor]

The amount of work that went into this was epic. Great work Jon!

[@andrewyates1789]

Great job! This is an amazing personal project with high-quality results.

[@iamwright]

This was dope. You put in some quality work. I wouldn't be surprised if the bigger amusement parks and brands wouldn't give you some nice $$ to do this for new rides.

[@maxrage2104]

New sub bro! That's dedication I love watching people do things they love! Great coaster

[@shashipancholi]

incredibly satisfying to watch in operation

[@PatJones82]

Outstanding! Well done sir. Well done!

[@jtruant]

This is awesome. I want to see some different simulations based on gravity, e.g. maybe this coaster is on the Moon or Mars.

[@HolmesHobbies]

At first I was thinking how slow your steppers were running. Scale speeds, not production cycle rapids, ha! Fantastic project!

[@gelatinskeleton8745]

My man, this is so utterly wonderful.

[@madasxyz]

This is really cool! One thing I would really love to see is it being battery-less, so like powering the train through the rails somehow.

[@madasxyz]

or you could make it charge itself automatically between runs

[@jeffreygrose9971]

This is absolutely incredible!!!! Love this project and you put so much work into it, I would be absolutely obsessed with this in my house hahahaha

[@corkymork]

Cool model! Might be fun to add a soundtrack: lift hill, screams, braking. Maybe record from No Limits.

[@joshuameldru4004]

Just amazing!! Very impressive work!

[@Zebra_M]

That looks amazing. I always wondered if something like this was possible but had never seen it made real yet. Love the design choices you made, both visually and technically!

[@adnamamedia]

this is one of the coolest things I've ever seen

[@ParallelLogic]

A wifi-controlled car but there's only one? Need to unlock the full potential of Parkitect with mid-course break runs.

[@Mujaki]

One suggestion I would have, perhaps print a small tray to hold the I-Pad controlling the system, and attach it to the vertical supports under the brake hill? Or if there isn't enough vertical clearance, on the main A-frames under the lift hill?

[@MartinJablonski]

Wonderful project and looks just like a real coaster. very impressive. Thank you for sharing.

[@mikethomas5006]

You mentioned the pinion on the motor transferring through the larger gear to give you more torque. Just FYI, the larger gear is just being used as an idler here. Without any gears on a common shaft, there is no reduction.

[@jonmendenhall5074]

Yep that’s correct I was trying to say it was more torque than if if the larger gear was driven directly by the motor

[@mikethomas5006]

@@jonmendenhall5074 Ah, that rings true. Just misunderstood you.

[@marsgizmo]

Wonderful Project! Well done!

[@Binxalot]

You're glossing over the massive amount of time spent coding this project, are you going to make a follow up video about the software you created to make the coaster design or the web app to control the train?

[@clonkex]

This is a fantastic idea, I can't believe I never thought of doing it myself.

[@mesaorange2]

Truly amazing! I've always wanted a model coaster that has realistic speed. Let me know if ever market this for sale!

[@MisterMosfet]

Wow wow WOW! This thing is beyond cool!

[@GiacomoMasciadri]

Dude, this Is Amazing! Very good job

[@ianmccormick833]

This has been so cool to see built!

[@briansherling5515]

Brilliant bit of engineering! Beautifully done!

[@c.oyenarte]

Just subscribed and hope to see more of this awesome work!👍

[@knoptop]

This is awesome! Great work

[@cyberlaurent2101]

You're a genius ! Congratulations from Paris !

[@nossonaber6088]

What a rock star! Love it. First of it's kind. You have make these for sale!

[@thesleepydriver]

That is absolutely amazing! Thank you for sharing it with us. :)

[@HolmesHobbies]

Your drive gear size doesn't affect the speed of the system. It's just an idler.