Model of a Lift (Elevator)

This is a really fun project to do with kids (or without) to learn about pulley systems and how they work and a fun toy to have at the end of it too!

I created the model for 3d printing using Tinkercad but you don't need a printer to recreate this model - if you can cobble together a couple of cardboard boxes of similar dimensions then that should work just fine too.

I'll be printing my model but will try to give a few pointers for those who may be making this out of card or anything else as I go!

If printing:

• 3D Printer
• Filament

If not printing:

• Card
• 4 Bobbins

Other bits you'll need either way:

• Straws/skewers/something long and thin for the axle
• String
• Glue/Something Sticky - I used Blu Tack
• Scissors

As mentioned, there are 2 options here

I'll be using option 1 which is to print:

You can download the files I printed here:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4795048

If you want to tweak anything, you can tinker with my model here :

https://www.tinkercad.com/things/h7pTSo47ymC

You'll need to print:

• The lift shaft
• The lift
• 4 bobbins
• 1 cap
• 1 crank

  You'll also need 4 straws or similar

  I'm not going to tell you how to print as it varies so much by machine/filament etc. but I did design all of the pieces to be easily printable without supports so it should be a fairly simple print.

  Option 2 - if you're making this out of card it's fairly straightforward. Dimensions actually don't matter too much so just work on a scale that isn't too fiddly for you and use the printed example as a guideline for comparative size of parts.

  You'll need:

  • One larger box to use as the lift shaft
  • One smaller box to use as the lift
  • 4 bobbins or similar
  • 2 flat discs of card (these will work as your cap and crank)

  Again, you'll also need 4 straws or similar

Once you have all your components ready, we can start putting this all together.

You'll need your straws, cap, crank and bobbins for this bit!

• Pass a straw through each hole on one side of the lift shaft
  
  
• Slide a bobbin onto the straw before passing it through the other side of the shaft
  
  
• The first 3 straws will need to be trimmed down and glued in place (See 1st picture)
  
  
• The last straw needs to be trimmed and held in place using the cap and crank (this is so the whole straw can rotate) - you also need to glue your bobbin in place on this one! (See 2nd picture)
  
  
  • If you printed your parts, they have a recess for a straw to slot into to help align everything but if using card, you'll just need to glue the end of the straw to the discs of card you're using as your crank and cap - you could use the trimmings from your straws as a handle for the crank too!

For this quick step, you'll need your lift and some string!

• Cut a fair length of string (2 feet should be more than enough)
  
• There should be a hole in the bottom of your lift - pass one end of your string through this hole and tie a knot or stick it in place (See picture 1)
  
• There should also be 2 holes in the top of your lift, just tie a piece of string between the 2 (See picture 2)

This is the last step! You'll need everything you've put together so far and we're aiming for something that looks like the picture!

• Take the string that's attached to the bottom of your lift and wrap it around each bobbin - I've numbered them inthe picture so you know what order to go in (Bear in mind the orientation of the model in the picture)
  
  • It's quite difficult to photograph the process so I've included a diagram as well - it's nothing complex though, a simple loop around each bobbin is all we need.
    
• Finally, pull everything taut and knot the string to the top of the lift as pictured.

You've done it! Now have fun with it!

Experiment with how different weighted objects affect the way the lift works and how much difference it makes lifting the object using the pulleys vs. by hand etc.