For a college project I am working on creating a 3d printed spin top. I’m basing the design off of the Strummol8 Giulia, but a bit wider.i am designing it in solidworks.
For anyone that has designed one, is there a “sweet spot” for center of mass compared to the tip, or is there a moment of inertia sweet spot? Currently I have most of the weight towards the outside, with the inside being a hollow cavity. The top does wobble a bit, which could be from off balance or something else. It also doesn’t spin very long, which could be due to the friction from the top being 3d printed, not sure. Will post photos when I get home.
Thanks yoyojoe, I appreciate it. I will gladly check that out and do some more research on balancing. I remember reading a post here about balancing tops. I’ll read it again.
There is a lot of discussion on spin top dynamics on the itopspin.com forum. Fool disclosure, it is all beyond my pay grade, but you would find some good input there if you fish around.
Right now all I have is PLA. I am using hardware from a short circuit/ electrick top upgrade kit. The current prototype I printed has a 3d printed press fit tip. I am going to make some changes and upgrades.
Okay awesome, I will tweak a few things and try it out. What printer do you use? All I have right now is an ender 3 but my wife told me I could get a better one when I graduate
PLA has a strong tendency to break under the shearing forces a top experiences. I would got a little hot and slow to improve layer adhesion. I personally like TPU for tops but I’m planning to experiment with PETG.
I mostly print for Short Circuit top. I usually hold it in place with a self threading screw.
Two failures later , here is my best impression of a Giulia printed in PETG with Short Circuit tip. Note I’ve never handled a Giulia so I designed to shape and specs (coming up a little light), and I also have no idea what the inside looks like. Still some improvements to make. The fit of the tip is too tight on this material, so I need to scale up if I reprint. The material feel is rougher on the outside than I would like personally. I needed to use supports around the crown, which is not my preference.
Awesome! Looks pretty good. Did you design and model it yourself? If so, is there any infill? Mine is more of a hollow shell shape, like how my short circuit is. Thicker at the widest part, but pretty hollow inside. I wonder if that is how I should be modeling them, or if it is better with a different inside profile. I will probably try a couple prototypes before I print out of a nicer material.
Second print. It’s ok. I prefer my TPU tops. I don’t love the texture of the material. I have improvements I’d make if I was going for another print; a little more scale up, a slightly deeper recess for the tip, but I’m not sure I’m going to print another.
