Delivery

This image was taken during the children's first interaction with the system. Sylvia is helping the children to take out the ramps from the storage box and begin placing them in a run on the board. Many of the kids had already found the cars and began to play with them.

Here is Lucas (left) and Calvin (right) playing with the system. Calvin really liked the car that we was holding and began to show us the toy. Lucas was playing with the track pieces trying to figure out how to move the piece.

This is Lucas right after dropping a ball through a successful run that he and some of the other students created.

This image shows Calvin (left) and Graham (right) driving their cars on the tracks. Many of the kids would use their hands to guide the cars on the open ramps instead of dropping the car down the run.

Client Documentation

During the delivery of the product we supplied Sylvia with documentation that gave safety warnings, instructions for use, instructions on how to replace pieces, and instructions on how to clean the system. That documentation can be view below.

Ramps for Toddlers Documentation

Safety Information:

Warning: small parts. Children should be supervised when interacting with the system as the individual ramp connection pieces may become dislodged and become a choking hazard. Magnets may become dislodged from their mountings over time or if pried free, so we advise the instructors to regularly inspect all pieces to ensure that connective pieces and magnets are still securely attached. If a magnet is missing from a ramp section, it is recommended that the mounting board is checked first, as it is the most likely location for a magnet to be if it comes loose. The easiest way to remove the magnet from the board is to use a complete ramp section’s magnet to remove the free magnet as the added leverage from a complete section greatly reduces the effort required to remove them. Ensure all pieces are accounted for.

Do not attempt to climb on the board. Extended leg sections are a possible tripping hazard to be aware of when maneuvering around the system. Wooden sections may produce splinters and it is recommended that caution is taken if/when rubbing on the wooden surfaces with your bare hands.

Instructions for use of the product:

Attach and adjust the colorful ramp pieces around the magnetic board to create a ramp system that is gravity-driven and use either a ping-pong ball or light-weight toy car to test if the design allows the vehicle to successfully reach the end.

Children can be encouraged to create “faster” (steeper) or “slower” (less steep) ramps, to race against each other, or to try to get the ball to a certain ending point from a chosen starting location.

Some sections are not fully enclosed so that the ball can easily land on the ramp section from a wider variety of angles, while others are enclosed and requiring problem-solving to line up the tracks to create a route. One tube is of a skinnier size and that allows the ping-pong balls to pass through but not the car. These enclosed sections may also aid in teaching object permanence.

Where to acquire spare parts:

Additional cardboard track pieces may be found at Staples, Dollar Tree or Amazon. Instructions for adding colored paper and sealant over the cardboard tubes can be found on the at the end of this of this document. We have included some spare connector pieces with the delivery of the product. If any pieces break off, need to be replaced, or if simply new track pieces are made then follow the instructions on the last three pages; steps 11 and 12 deal with the connector pieces. If you run out of connector pieces you can go to the BSU Machine Shop with the provided 3-D printer file, and they are able to print more of these pieces for you. These take about ~20 minutes to print each (roughly 8 hours for 40 of them)

File names: Ramps for Toddlers Bracket.STL and Ramps for Toddlers Bracket.SLDPRT

(These two files ensure that you will be able to recreate them and also will be able to edit them if so desired to suit your needs.)

Inform the person helping you that the previous settings that the pieces were printed with are:

PLA Plastic

0.35 mm layer height

2 layers Sides, Top, Bottom

5% infil Grid Pattern

Printed on its side

We included with the delivered product a small silver container with additional magnets in it. If these are needed to replace magnets that have come off or to simply make additional track pieces, follow the instructions at the end of this document. Step 11 deals with gluing the magnets. If needed, more magnets can be purchased on Amazon under the vendor part name “ELECFIND Magnets Magnet, for Refrigerator Fridge, Round, Permanent, Craft, Office (Disc: 12x3mm)” and vendor part number “B07DD5SLLJ”. Simply typing in the vendor part name to the Amazon search bar should access the correct result; we purchased the 40-Pack, though smaller packs may be available but ensure the magnets are the same size and state that they are Neodymium.

Instructions for cleaning system:

In order to clean the sheet metal surface of the system, you can take rubbing alcohol with either a cloth or paper towel and wipe down the surface. This will remove most fingerprints and disinfect the surface. You may also use warm soapy water to wipe down the surface, however, ensure to wipe it dry with a dry towel or paper towel afterward. To clean the wooden frame use warm water and if needed to be disinfected you can add a small amount of white vinegar (ratio given: 1 cup white vinegar to 1 gallon warm water). Wipe the wood with a towel damp with either solution, avoid getting the wood overly wet, and allow to air dry. The track pieces can be wiped with a light amount of rubbing alcohol or a Clorox wipe, though be sure to not get the pieces too wet. Allow them to air dry.

How to Create Additional Ramps

Materials needed:

• Cardboard tubes -- shipping tubes, paper towel or toilet paper rolls, or decorative present tubes (2’’ - 3’’ diameter is ideal, depending on the vehicle)
• Scrapbooking paper, or other thicker decorative paper
• Mod Podge Glue - Gloss
• Paintbrushes
• Thin decorative tape (Washi or Duct Tape works)
• Fine sandpaper
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Sharp X-Acto Knife
• Neodymium magnets (12mm x 3mm)
• 3D printed connective pieces (~2 per piece)
• Gorilla Glue 2-Part Epoxy
• Mod Podge Clear Acrylic Sealer - Gloss

Instructions:

1. Depending on the length you desire for each section, use an X-Acto knife to slice the cardboard tubes into pieces. For half-pipes, cut the pieces length-wise.
2. For smoother and more even edges, use fine sandpaper on the raw, freshly-cut edges
3. Measure each ramp’s length and width, and cut the pieces from the scrapbooking paper, leaving ~.25’’ - .5’’ extra length to ensure the piece is long enough if the paper is placed crooked.
4. Apply a moderate amount of Mod Podge Glue to the outside OR inside of the tube (depending on which side you start on). Carefully place decorative paper around the tube, assuring it covers all the surface on that side. Press gently along the edges to allow the glue to adhere better. Leave aside for glue to dry for about 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat for the other side after the glue has dried.
   1. For the enclosed tubes’ inside (not the half-pipes), apply glue the same throughout the inside. Roll the paper into a tube and slowly lower it into the cardboard tube, gently releasing the paper so it forms to the inside of the ramp. Press firmly along edges to remove any gaps or air bubbles and that the paper is sitting evenly throughout the inside. Add a thin layer of Mod Podge glue along the edges of the paper that overlap to ensure adherence. Allow to dry.
5. Once the glue has dried completely, use a sharp X-Acto knife to start cutting off the excess paper around the edges.
6. Use fine sandpaper along any rough paper edges.
7. Measure and cut the decorative tape for each raw edge. For the straight edges, apply so an even amount of tape is on each side. For rounded edges, stick the tape down around the outside, but leave the tape remaining for the inside undone. Cut slits in this part of the tape vertically every inch or so to let the tape fold around the circular edge easier.
8. Apply a medium to thick layer of Mod Podge Glue on either the inside or outside surface, depending on which you start with. Smooth out any globs of glue. Be sure to apply glue over the decorative tape as well. Wait for the glue to dry completely and apply the glue on the other side.
9. Once a layer of Mod Podge has been applied to both sides and dried completely, repeat the process for a second coat of glue. Wait for the glue to dry.
10. Use Mod Podge Clear Acrylic Sealer over the tubes, following the instructions on the can. Apply two to three coats of the sealant to the entire surface of the ramps, waiting to dry between coats.
11. For the 3-D printed pieces, before they are attached to the ramps the magnets will need to be glued on. Using the 2-Part Epoxy (follow the instructions on the package to mix) use a small pea-size amount on the plastic connector piece. Place the magnet inside the hole and firmly press down. Be sure that the magnet lays flat inside the connector. Allow the glue to dry for 6 - 8 hours.
12. Once dry, mix the 2-Part Epoxy to attach the 3-D pieces to the side of the ramps. Apply a smooth, medium layer of epoxy to the curved surface of the connector and immediately attach to the ramp at the desired location. Ensure that if there are two or more of these connective pieces on each ramp that they are placed evenly apart and are lined up with one another for the best results. Allow the epoxy to dry for 6 - 8 hours.

The delivery was overall a great experience. The whole group was able to watch the children interacting with the system that we had designed and built. The children all had a great time playing with it and Yvette and Sylvia were very grateful for us making this for them. For years to come toddlers at the Boise State Children's Center will be able to interact with the system as a means for learning about angles and problem solving while hopefully having fun.