Model Cable Car (Science Project)

This is a really fun and easy science project which (printing time aside) doesn't take too long and leaves you with a fun little toy at the end.

I designed the model using Tinkercad with the idea that it be 3d printed but for ease of printing I kept all the shapes fairly simple so I don't see why you couldn't make it out of other materials if you wanted to!

• 3D Printer
• Filament to print with
• Glue
• String
• (optional) Paint

You'll need to print one of each of the stl files:

• 1 Cable Car (or more, if you like)
• 1 Tall Tower
• 1 Tall Tower cap
• 1 Short Tower
• 1 Wheel with handle
• 1 stand (you could skip this and secure you towers to something else if you want to but this holds them in position well)

I never tell you how to print in my instructables because what works for one person and their printer might just produce a mess of spaghetti for another however I'll make a few recommendations:

• You shouldn't need any supports or rafts etc. to print any of the files, they were designed to be easy to print
• I'd recommend using PLA as it's nice and rigid however I did use PETG for mine and it came out fine
• You'll want at least 15% infill to make sure it's strong enough

This is totally optional - you might have loads of beautiful filaments to print in so it looks fab straight off the build plate or you might be quite happy with everything being one colour - that's absolutely fine, you can skip this step!

I, unfortunately, only had clear PETG at the time of printing so I did paint my pieces just to make it look a bit more colourful and fun!

You could even take it one step further and add details or a background to make a little diorama out of this model if you're feeling extra creative!

Just be careful not to lay the paint on too thick as that could get in the way when it comes to assembling the model.

Once your paint's dry (if you painted anything), it's time to start putting things together!

• Take the stand piece and put a dot of glue into one of the circular cut-outs
• Insert the small tower into the cut-out ensuring the slope on top is angled as shown in the picture
• Again, place a dab of glue in the other cut-out in the stand
• Insert the tall tower, making sure the angle on top lines up with the small tower as pictured
• Place another dab of glue inside the cut-out in the top of the tall tower
• place the wheel on top of the tall tower and secure it in place using the peg - the wheel should be able to turn freely

You may find that your pieces slot together well without glue (they were designed to) I'd still recommend using glue to make sure it holds together though - once the string is added, it needs to be pulled quite tight and a bit of glue helps keep everything in place for that step.

This is a simple step but does need to be done right!

Make sure you allow time for your glue to dry first then:

• Cut a length of string long enough to wrap from one end of your model to the other and then some (better to cut it too long than too short!)
• Wrap the string around one wheel and then the other and tie it tight (you should be able to 'twang' the string
  • This can be a little fiddly so take your time - if it's too loose, it won't work properly!

• Trim any excess string

This last step is nice and easy!

• Take a short piece of string (I used the offcut from the last step)
• Pass one end through the loop on the top of your cable car and knot it.
• take the other end of the string and knot it tightly to the string you looped around the model in the previous step
  • It should be fixed in place so you shouldn't be able to move the cable car up and down the string
• Trim any excess string!

Brilliant, you should now have a working cable car model!

Enjoy it! Have fun with it! Use it to teach your kids (or yourself) about simple machines

You could try adding more cable cars to it, or use it to transport other objects maybe - I hear Sylvanian Families love to go zip-lining...