Mechanical Tally Counter 4.0
Mechanical Tally Counter 4.0
3D
Published 2021-05-12T08:52:59+00:00
READ BEFORE PRINTING!
First of all, this is a non-commercial print, this means you are not allowed to sell files or prints of this model.
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This is my fourth attempt on creating a mechanical tally counter.
It's adjusted so anyone with a reasonably dialed in 3D-printer will be able to print it. There are some non-printable parts but they should be easy to find at home, in any hardware store or as in my case, the grocery store.
I said earlier that I wouldn't continue developing this project... I was wrong. Here's a link to version 5:
https://www.myminifactory.com/object/3d-print-mechanical-tally-counter-5-0-174640
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Videos and assembly instructions:
How to use the counter:
Assembly instructions:
Demo on the mechanism:
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Troubleshooting:
Heres a list of problems and some possible solutions. If your problem isn't in the list please let me know what the problem is so I (depending on the problem) can add it.
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Problem: My buttons stick when I press them down.
Solution 1: Clean your prints from any brims etc.
Solution 2: The pen springs you used might be too weak.
Solution 3: Loosen the screw on the back of the back case, you might have over tightened it.
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Problem: The Dials move but doesnt align with the window on the front case.
Solution: Make sure you followed the dial assembly step is correctly. Clean your prints from any brims etc. and loosen the screw. The pin spring is too weak, try swapping it with another spring or a longer spring piece. The Ratchet Wheel and Ratchet Wheel Bottom are pressed together too tightly, redo that step of the assembly.
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Problem: The first digit dial turns when I press down the button, but turns back again when I release the button.
Solution: The rubber band is way too strong. The ratchet arms doesn't fold on their way back, which means the pin slips. Change to a rubber band which is barely in tension when assembled.
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Problem: The mechanism is sticky specifically when the second digit dial is supposed to turn. (e.g. from 19 to 20).
Solution: The 4 Tooth Partial Gear and Gear Lock isn't pushed all the way down.
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Problem: The buttons are loose.
Solution 1: The pen springs used for the buttons might be too short.
Solution 2: The tab on the back cover which compresses the spring has broken off.
PRINT SETTINGS
- Print all components in the default orientation to minimize support and maximize part strength.
- Don't use raft, Rafts tend to give the bottom surface a rouch surface fininsh. It can mess up the tolerances, which will/can make the mechanism "sticky".
If I have problems with bed adhesion, I always use a brim!
- Support materals are only required on "second-digit-dial", I wouldn't recommend using support materials on any other part, especially not the Back Case.
- "first-digit-dial" and "second-digit-dial" are desined to be layered with two different filament colors, it isn't required but it makes the digits "pop" a lot more. The same goes for "Left-Button", "Right-Button" and "Back-Cover". See the pictures for an example of this.
- Make sure to break loose the screw on the "back-cover" before assembly. This part can partially fuse with the rest of the back-cover.
- Clean all printed parts from brims, support material, uneven surfaces etc! The tolerances in this project are quite lenient, but major flaws might still make the mechanism "sticky".
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PART LIST (BOM)
PRINTED PARTS:
2x button-arm-lock
1x left-button
1x right-button
1x left-ratchet-arm
1x right-ratchet-arm
1x front-cover
1x back-cover
1x ratchet-wheel
1x ratchet-wheel Bottom
1x pin
1x pin-cover
1x 4-tooth-partial-gear
1x gear-lock
1x first-digit-gear
1x second-digit-dial
1x first-digit-dial
NON-PRINTED PARTS:
2x The tip spring of a pen, see assembly video (one for each button).
1x The "button" sping of a pen is optimal. This spring might not fit, in that case, cut a piece of a third "pen tip"-spring.
1x Small rubber band, this rubber band should be small enough to be in tension when hooked on the ratchet arms.
2x ~10mm pieces of 1.75mm filament (Highly recommended).
| Date published | 12/05/2021 |
| Time to do | 420 - 480 minutes |