We use 3D-printing quite a bit in our product development here at Hamilton. It’s a great way to test ideas and iterate rapidly. But, wowza, were we were seriously impressed by the ingenuity, precision and diligence behind this 3D masterpiece that’s gone viral.
It’s a self-launching miniature rollercoaster that designer and engineer Dan Fritsche created with 3,000 3D-printed parts.
With the help of NoLimits2 rollercoaster simulation, Fusion 360 and Cura, Fritsche put a ridiculous amount of love and care into the finished product. It took more than 600 hours just to design the layout of the track and coaster itself. Then more than 800 hours of 3D-printing and seven rolls of filament to complete. Each part had to be sanded and printed by hand. The final product achieves harrowing scale speeds, thanks to a design that emulates using electronic launching systems to instantly accelerate the ride (instead of using the first big drop to turbocharge it in motion, like the rollercoasters we used to know).
“The launch, brakes, and station are all controlled via an Arduino with 5 micro servo motors and 1 DC motor,” Fritsche said in a YouTube interview. “This proof of concept taught me invaluable lessons in design feasibility, problem solving, and most importantly perseverance.”
Of course, it may be difficult to find 1:35 scale-sized thrill-seekers to ride the coaster, but we’re not putting it past this guy.