7 Segment Counter v3.0, Tutorial, 3D Printed, STL Files Link

[@Flower-3D]

Just updated the push-action STL file to offer two options, 1) coil springs (recommended, works as described in video) or 2) a rubber band (as shown in photos on Printables).

[@gearheadtechnology]

Thanks! Makes it easy for me to use a rubber band now and allow me to get springs later. Great work.

[@ErosNicolau]

The design changes from 2.0 to 3.0 meant going from a design very hard to convince to work to something that, without any grease, functions perfectly in the first try/assembly! Truly amazing results, congrats!!

[@WKfpv]

It makes me happy when I see such an elegant mechanism so carefully designed to be 3d printed.

[@MarcoAntonioButron]

It's not just that you designed something and let it loose for anybody to print it, it's that you've been improving it to the point where it becomes very useful and a case to study when one wants to learn about 3D printing mechanics. Thank you very much for your contribution! Once I get it done I'll upload it to my Instagram with full attribution

[@Flower-3D]

Thank you for the kind words. It's been a fun journey and I look forward to continuous improvements.

[@the_saschinger]

@@Flower-3Da Motor? ❤

[@RobSquared]

Thanks for doing this. I printed V2 twice and had difficulties with the cams staying aligned. The disks should solve my problem. Looking forward to starting up the V3 print tonight.

[@Mhakeman]

Dude! I love the updates- all the challenges I had after building V2 have been addressed here. Can’t wait to print V3! You have made something incredible for sure!!

[@chriskpedersen]

I LOVE the craftsmanship! Thank you for sharing all your work on this super fun project.

[@computerjantje]

AMAZING!!! Fantastic. I LOVE the mechanics and the fact that one can print this at home. Thank you so much for this.

[@gaellafond6367]

Beautiful design. I love looking at the segments moving, changing the number. It's like magic. Thanks for sharing!

[@JeffreySerpas]

This is a huge improvement over the prior version. Really, really nice job. The only issue I've had is the rubber band slipping off the D-segment after some use. The tiniest drop of superglue where the rubber band meets the part solved it.

[@MarkJaquith]

These look like massive improvements on v2. You addressed all the issues I had!

[@PhilWaud]

What a brilliant design, I can see how its evolving and improving. Thank you for sharing, well made video!

[@Nebulorum]

The design form building is fantastic. Really impressive work.

[@DOCTOROCTAGONAPUSS]

Absolutely blown away by this design, Thank you so much for sharing this! I'm firing up my printer as I type this.

[@kufjapierdziele]

Really cool video. Project itself is amazing, briliantly simple and elegant.

[@kazuotani]

I made one and it works great! What a clever design. Thank you.

[@Robothut]

Fantastic design work on this new version. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[@mindshelfpro]

This is soo cool. Thank you all the hard work you put into this project and thanks for sharing!

[@bellybonesrocks]

This is great! I am looking forward to the clocks!

[@MikeKobb]

For me, the lubrication was the critical piece to making this work well. It was binding up completely when I first printed it, but after lubricating the segments, it is absolutely smooth and works perfectly. I used the SuperLube. I got the smallest size from Amazon (in a pen-like applicator) for a few dollars and it would be enough to make a hundred of these.

[@xavierhbcrd5190]

Thank you very much for sharing such a fantastic work. It would be cool to have a version with a lever to change the direction of increasing or decreasing the number with each press. It makes the design very complicated but it would be the perfect finishing touch.

[@LucasHartmann]

Awesome. You may be able to unify the gears if you rotate the teeth by half a tooth.

[@nikol2218]

looking forward to the clocks 😊 great work!

[@SirasPK]

very nice design. hats off.

[@TheEnderMineMC]

This is so ridiculously cool.

[@JulianMakes]

this is SO cool, thank you for the great video and counters!

[@DiegoDevPro]

What a great design!!!!

[@MaskedMarble]

Next steps: eliminate both rubber bands with 3d printed springs behind each segment, and also attached to the lever. Also for the multidigit displays make a single lever which increments the next place value only when the prior one transitions from 9 to 0. Should be very easy to do using the cams, and an internal lever mechanism the entire width of the multidigit display and moving on multiple sliding paths. Lastly beef up the lever to make it slammable for the slam-happy hands that drop by your convention booth.

[@tonysteeleebw01]

I'll be using the double counter for cornhole tournaments.

[@Gitmo314]

Very cool, can't wait to try it. Just have to wait for my springs to show up :..). Kudo's to Adam Savage for recommending it to me.

[@schizolab]

This is actually quite refined *rockstare*

[@Cjuncle]

Just finished assembling V2 haha. Onto making more!!!

[@TombofMacula]

That will look amazing with a clear shell. I take it the clock ones will have their IO in a chainable form? (Automatic button pusher on the left, button on the right, I wonder how many you could chain before the torque gives in

[@woodo-k]

do you know how i can make a v3 double 7 segment

[@ChrisHennings11]

Any ideas on where to source the springs?

[@Flower-3D]

Thanks for the question, I just added the Amazon link to the description

[@Flower-3D]

Update: The links have been removed because the seller no longer offers the correct size.

[@robbrown6667]

Fantastic engineering!

[@cfwheezy]

I have no idea why but my tolerances are WAY too tight when printing this on either of my P1S printers. The print quality is great but nothing fits. Printing using .2 factory bambu settings with .4 nozzle and 100% infill. Polymaker PLA. (I have thousands of hours printing on them and this is the only model I have run into these issues... NOT SAYING ITS A MODEL ISSUE... Its obviously not. I just cant figure it out). Love your work. Any insight on why I may be running into this issue would be appreciated.

[@Braincho]

Wow, immediate like! How did you come up with this mechanism or you saw it somewhere and just made it 3d-printed?

[@alexchen1442]

Nice work, thank you! Did you print with pla or petg?

[@Flower-3D]

Thank you! I used PLA for all prototyping and testing.

[@JonS]

@@Flower-3D for other 3D printed designs with surfaces that slide across each other, I've found PETG works better as it has a higher lubrosity than PLA.

Complètement génial !

[@thestanwalker3512]

Great improvements !!! But what do I do now with my version 2 units?

[@BrettJamesSuperRoach]

destroy them in fun ways :)

[@videomaker8350]

Just amazing.

[@DavidCarlson]

can't wait to print this😁😁

[@umchoyka]

Amazing. Could this be modified to include both forward and reverse counting at the same time (either two different buttons or some sort of direction lever)? I haven't fully internalized the working of the spring drum mechanism to be able to visualize if this is possible.

[@rz6354]

perfect work 👍

[@SAMETELMACI]

state of art awesome

[@KoosGoossens]

Amazing built!! 👌👌 Will there be a clock in the near future? Looking forward to built that one myself.

[@Flower-3D]

Yes! A clock is on it's way. I'm just still working on a few things, but it's getting close.

[@KoosGoossens]

@@Flower-3D AMAZING! 👌🏻 Thank you for your contributions. Make sure there's a way to donate because I know how much effort goes in these sort of things!

[@Padyatra]

For those who are wondering where to get those springs, four springs from old ball pens will do the trick.

[@extraakash]

Please make a mini version of this next 💯💯

[@Flower-3D]

I have a 60% version I've created, there is just one snag I'm trying to overcome before I post the files! A few of the files have been redesigned/scaled to eliminate clearance issues that you'd have if you just scaled down the full version.

[@extraakash]

Cant wait for it! Love your work brother ✨

[@Andrew-go9bw]

Hey, this is great! V3 is awesome and thank you for the hard work!! I'm having trouble locating rubber bands of the listed dimensions (2x60, 2x100mm) since standard rubber bands seem to be 1.5 and 3mm thick. Do you by chance know the # of the bands you used?

[@Beakerzor]

I am also having trouble finding the right size on Amazon

[@12...]

have you considered offsetting some of the transitions in the cams? e.g. when going from "0" to "1", four segments need to change at once maybe it would be smoother to change one or two at a time? though maybe it wouldn't look as good

[@Flower-3D]

I really like that suggestion! I don't think I've put too much thought into that particular idea. Well thanks, I might experiment with that!

[@wadec7]

How did you get the interesting texture on the print. Is that a particular print bed? Cool

[@Flower-3D]

The texture comes from the gold PEI sheet from Bambu Lab. That was the sheet included when I purchased the Bambu Lab X1C.

[@Blender3DProjects]

Clean AF, well done :)

[@JonS]

This looks like a really nice design. My daughter wants me to print it for her. Have you considered making the 2 cams so they are built around a unique central shaft so parts cannot be mixed? Similarly, you could have a different sized posts on the Seg Plate so it's not possible to get them mixed up.

[@Flower-3D]

Thank you, so glad you like it! I think those are great suggestions, it totally makes sense to add a feature to prevent incorrect stacking of the cams.

[@pantalalabs]

awesome!!!! thanks

[@JayrosModShop]

Looking forward to the 12 hour clock.

[@geometricgamer7]

Couldnt you make an anti cam from V2.0 to remove a band?

[@tbengineering7066]

I don't know how difficult it would be to redesign the back, but it would cool if you added a lever that would allow you to switch between counting up and counting down.

[@oneil9615]

The rubber bands can be replaced by soft torsion spring

[@admiraladama5877]

Very nice. Is it surreal that Adam Savage built your model?

[@Flower-3D]

Haha so, I just discovered that video this morning. To answer your question, yeah, it is kind of surreal! I've been watching his channel for years and never imagined my content reaching him!

[@greatzot]

Can this be scaled up to make it bigger, i.e. 12 inch tall numbers?

[@NoahRonaldo22]

I would love to make a Toteboard out of 9 of these 7 segment Displays

[@christianbryant475]

Link for springs and rubber bands?

[@Flower-3D]

My springs came from Amazon, I just typed in 4x50mm coil springs. I originally had an Amazon link, but they seemed to have sold out. The rubber bands were from a variety pack from a local convenience store.

[@Beakerzor]

@@Flower-3D I cannot find the right size rubber bands on Amazon

[@NicksStuff]

It's a beautiful design but I'm surprised you went for metal coil springs when everything (apart from the rubber band) else is 3D printed, including the screws and main springs. Was it a challenge to print these springs too? Why not use rubber bands as well, then?

[@Thomas-xx2zr]

Is there a version that still uses only rubber bands and no metal springs?

[@popatachi]

v2 uses only rubber bands.

[@edwardholmes91]

I believe he has updated the STLs for v3 to include an option for rubber bands instead of springs.

[@zakariaberrada4998]

Do you have solidworks files for this project, i need to change some dimensions if it doesn't bother you please ?

[@shawnmikiten9498]

Please provide source to get the springs! Ball point pen springs???

[@CharlesV148]

any suggestion on where one can get springs and rubber bands in the recommended sizes, i cannot fond any of any of the sizes suggested?

[@Flower-3D]

My springs came from Amazon, I just typed in 4x50mm coil springs. I originally had an Amazon link, but they seemed to have sold out. The rubber bands were from a variety pack from a local convenience store. But, the new push action has additional pegs so you can substitute a rubber band for the coil springs.

[@elliotfinn146]

What are the clearances between the pieces?

[@ErosNicolau]

Why oh why would you replace an easily sourceable rubber band with two highly specific and impossible to source steel springs? 😢 Especially after all the comments suggesting printable springs?

[@Flower-3D]

Hey, thanks for the feedback! There is now a link to where I got the specific coil springs in the description of this video. However, I've been seeing similar comments, so I'm working on a revised push action that includes two pegs that will give the user an option to use either a rubber band or the coil springs. A printed spring is the ultimate goal, but that'll have to be down the road due to my schedule.

[@georgewaters900]

⁠I am not seeing the link to the springs in the description? Did you remove it?

[@jpcguy89]

@@Flower-3D I dont see a link?

[@Flower-3D]

@georgewaters900 @jpcguy89 apologies for not updating sooner. The links have been removed because the seller no longer offers the correct size.

[@sypernova6969]

yhis is so brilliant. very very elegant. I don`t like the springs int he new version, they might be harder to source than the rubber bands. any chance you could have dual activation. either springs (leave that as is) ir bands (add pegs here and there where bands can be used instead?)

[@Rflow27]

Check out the pinned comment. He updated the push-action to add an option for a rubber band instead of coil springs. There's also a link to the coil springs in the description if you're having trouble sourcing.

[@jaimef5668]

I printed everything but its all really tight. What can I do to fix it?

[@ZOMBIEHEADSHOTKILLER]

silicone bands/bracelets would be able to last longer than rubber bands would. the rubber bands, really are the only bad aspect of the design.

[@Bostich]

Anyone have a good source for the springs? Can't seem to find.

[@BrettJamesSuperRoach]

having trouble finding the springs from an alternative source -outside of america the shipping is a long time and pretty expensive.

[@Flower-3D]

Just in case you didn't see, there is a revised push-action that has pegs for a rubber band as an alternative to the coil springs.

[@yerdna1983]

Any idea, how to make clock?

[@matthewelkins]

Can it be printed smaller?

[@Highspeedfutzi]

Adam Savage from Mythbusters made a video about your design on the „Tested“ KZbin channel.

[@Flower-3D]

I stumbled on the video this morning while watching something on a completely different topic when his video came up as a suggestion. Absolutely wild!

[@Highspeedfutzi]

@@Flower-3D 😁 👍 …thanks to his video I also noticed you have made some nice improvements to the design. I’ve already printed an older version a couple of weeks back. I might re-print it.

[@lontragorda]

how about ONE single display with butons + and - ?

[@timg.998]

Oh no, I just finished V2 today… 🙈 I would love to see a V4 using only springs instead of rubber bands, because rubber bands become weak and brittle after some time. Maybe you could use torsion springs for the cams.

[@crucianimassimo]

Wow

[@remconet]

Why does it need 100% infill?

[@Flower-3D]

It doesn't. But, since almost all of the components are the thickness of a shell or less, I think it makes sense to do everything at 100%. The amount of infill that would actually be printed is minimal.

[@MarioChirinosColunga]

V2 has better tolerances , this one is very difficult to assemble without a lot of sanding

[@TombofMacula]

That will look amazing with a clear shell. I take it the clock ones will have their IO in a chainable form? (Automatic button pusher on the left, button on the right, I wonder how many you could chain before the torque gives in

[@geometricgamer7]

Couldnt you make an anti cam from V2.0 to remove a band?