{"product_id":"marble-run-with-lap-timer","title":"Marble Run with Lap Timer","description":"\u003cp\u003eHi everyone! This is my first model uploaded to MakerWorld, so please be patient with any potential issues. 😊\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI got my Bambu Lab P1S a few weeks ago, and I’ve been absolutely thrilled with it—it’s a life-changer! My original plan was to design a marble sensor\/detector to track lap times, but the project spiraled into something much bigger. I ran out of time and had to publish this at the last minute (I only discovered the “Master Challenge: Marble Run” contest recently).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt home, we’re 2 kids and 2 “big kids,” and we love competing at almost everything. Naturally, if I made a marble run, it had to track who’s the fastest racer. Assemble it and give it a shot—can you break the 20-second barrier?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe box is optional; you can print it and add the lap timer, or simply play for fun without tracking times.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe marbles used are 16mm glass ones, but if you don’t have any, I’ve included a printable file for marbles. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTo-Do List (Coming Soon!)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLet me know in the comments which of these features interest you most so I can prioritize them!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• \u003cstrong\u003eA.\u003c\/strong\u003e New 3- and 4-story tracks, more fun and challenging.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• \u003cstrong\u003eB.\u003c\/strong\u003e Online hall of fame: a leaderboard for the fastest laps and best average times.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• \u003cstrong\u003eC.\u003c\/strong\u003e Moving track parts, possibly powered by servos or motors controlled by an ESP32 and triggered by new sensors.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• \u003cstrong\u003eD.\u003c\/strong\u003e More sounds, effects, and music in the timer app as the marble moves through different track zones.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• \u003cstrong\u003eE.\u003c\/strong\u003e LED effects triggered by sensors, including dark zones and illuminated areas of the track.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• \u003cstrong\u003eF.\u003c\/strong\u003e An improved and more visually appealing exterior box design, with further filament optimization.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• \u003cstrong\u003eG.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cases for the ESP32 and power bank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• \u003cstrong\u003eH.\u003c\/strong\u003e Any other ideas you can suggest!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDesign Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis track was created from scratch using \u003cstrong\u003eBambu Lab Studio\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eTinkerCad\u003c\/strong\u003e for 3D modeling, with \u003cstrong\u003eGIMP\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eInkscape\u003c\/strong\u003e for SVGs. No external 3D models were used.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3D Models\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• \u003cstrong\u003eFigurines:\u003c\/strong\u003e These are small, so if you want detailed prints, I recommend lowering the layer height to 0.16mm or 0.12mm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• \u003cstrong\u003eFloor 1 (Simple, No AMS):\u003c\/strong\u003e This version has flat floors to simplify printing and reduce print time by 20 minutes. If you’d like an even simpler version, let me know in the comments.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• \u003cstrong\u003eFloor 1 (No AMS):\u003c\/strong\u003e All details included, but in a single color.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• \u003cstrong\u003eFloor 1 (AMS, Multicolor):\u003c\/strong\u003e I don’t have many filament colors, so feel free to experiment with better combinations. Changes happen in layers 4 and 5 (11 changes total). To use five colors with one AMS, there’s a pause after printing the orange filament so you can swap it for green. After resuming, the print continues seamlessly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• \u003cstrong\u003eSensor Test Track:\u003c\/strong\u003e A minimalistic test track for checking the sensor’s reliability. After 50 laps, the sensor recorded every lap accurately. If it doesn’t work for you, print this model and fine-tune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• \u003cstrong\u003eFloor 0:\u003c\/strong\u003e Simple design. I printed it in blue to represent water level.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• \u003cstrong\u003eBox:\u003c\/strong\u003e The box can be used with or without the lap timer sensor. Just attach the lid without the sensor if you want to play casually.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLap Timer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI designed the lap timer using items I had at home. First, I used a 2019 \u003cstrong\u003eM5StickC M5Stack\u003c\/strong\u003e (an ESP32 with a built-in screen and battery) for testing. It costs around $25 and is compact, versatile, and tidy—ideal for saving space and reducing cables.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor accessibility, I adapted it for a standard \u003cstrong\u003eESP32\u003c\/strong\u003e paired with a mobile phone as a screen. ESP32 boards are widely available online for $4–5, and some come with cases for 18650 batteries.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe timer program is simple to set up. Connect to the ESP32’s Wi-Fi from your phone, open your browser, and enter the default IP (192.168.4.1). You’ll have a functional lap timer! Default settings:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• Access Point: \u003cstrong\u003eESP32_AP\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• Password: \u003cstrong\u003e12345678\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• IP: \u003cstrong\u003e192.168.4.1\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn future updates, I plan to add support for connecting the ESP32 to your home Wi-Fi for features like an online hall of fame.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCreate Your Own Track!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDesigning custom tracks is easy. The box allows for 3 or even 4 floors, each consisting of a 10x10 grid of 20x20mm squares. Sketch your ideas on graph paper, and you’ll have new expansions in no time!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDesign by kktmp1 on MakerWorld (license: BY).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mymadmanlab","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67397039751472,"sku":null,"price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0987\/0809\/5280\/files\/0_46132a92-9b02-40a0-9d2e-4f9ab5806f04.png?v=1784859875","url":"https:\/\/mymadmanlab.com\/products\/marble-run-with-lap-timer","provider":"Mymadmanlab.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}