The key components for our game were a 3D-printed maze, a wooden stand for the maze, a joystick connected to servo motors, and container to contain the electronics and wires. Continue reading to find out more!
The maze was designed to the size of the marbles being used. Given the constraints of available 3D printers, the outer axis was laser-cut from wood, providing durability and precision while maintaining design integrity (drawings can be found below).
The maze stand was engineered to provide structural support for both the maze framework and the integrated servo motors, ensuring stability. Additionally, it incorporated a strategically angled ramp to facilitate efficient marble retrieval upon completion of the maze. The components were designed using AutoCAD, then fabricated through laser cutting and assembly. Go below to see the AutoCAD drawings.
The container that held all the electronics and joystick, was also designed in AutoCAD, then laser cut. It was made to be a very simple design that aimed to make it easy to access the electronics and wiring when needed.
The system utilizes servo motors interfaced with both the maze structure and its wooden support frame. These motors induce rotational motion, which directly alters the inclination of the maze. Since the maze is physically positioned atop the frame, any angular displacement applied to the motors consequently tilts both components synchronously.
The user manipulates the maze via a joystick, which is securely mounted on a control enclosure and electronically linked to the servo motors. Each motor operates independently to adjust the maze’s tilt along two perpendicular axes. When a single motor is actuated, the maze tilts along a singular axis; however, simultaneous activation of both motors enables diagonal inclination, effectively granting the user control over eight discrete directional tilt configurations.