DIY levitation of a magnetic top

 by zuliani71
Featured
Top4.jpg
This is my 1st attempt to produce an instructable, I'm going to explain you how to build a system to levitate a magnetic top. It seems there is a commercial toy like that and now you'll be able to made it on your own. I've avoided inserting theory inside this instructable, just remember the system is based on magnetism and angular momentum (see also bibliography at the end). The system is sensitive to dimensions and weights and I've wasted a lot of time to reproduce it, so if you want to build it up try to follow my hints, probably you can get the same results with a different model but prepare yourself to be patient.
 
Remove these adsRemove these ads by Signing Up

Step 1: Tools you need

Tools4Intructables.JPG
a) a cutter
b) a drill bit diameter 5.5mm (7/32")
c) a small saw
d) a marking pen (or a pen/pencil)

Tools that can help you but you don't need them
e) a compass
f) a dremel drill
g) a small scale for small weights (max 50g, 0.1g precision)
zuliani71 (author) says: Jan 13, 2013. 6:52 AM
Thanks to you too. Bye bye
smithraj says: Jan 13, 2013. 12:45 AM
Very very nice this instructables video.. Thanks a lot my friend...
logic2 says: Apr 7, 2012. 7:42 AM
i want to make it
TimmyMiller says: Oct 17, 2011. 7:57 PM
no offense
TimmyMiller says: Oct 17, 2011. 7:56 PM
uhhhhhhhh.(brain blows up)
Dr Qui says: Feb 21, 2011. 2:55 PM
Fantastic Instructable.

I must start looking for bits and pieces to build one of these.
zuliani71 (author) in reply to Dr QuiJul 28, 2011. 12:49 PM
Hi,
I'm happy you like it, belive me its incredible when you see the top flying
zuliani71 (author) in reply to Dr QuiFeb 22, 2011. 11:21 PM
Hi I'm happy you like it. The key parts are the magnetic base and the magnetic ring for the top. Be aware of weights and dimensions and good job.

Bye
Eflash 50 says: Feb 13, 2011. 6:55 PM
??????????????????????????????????????????!?
zuliani71 (author) in reply to Eflash 50Feb 13, 2011. 11:36 PM
What?
kelseymh says: Jan 10, 2011. 11:54 AM
I had not read through this whole Instructable last night when I posted my first comment. This is really quite nice, and you do a great job of integrating the mechanics of the build with some of the underlying magnetic physics. Very nice!

There are some odd language constructions, but they appear to me rather similar to some of the Italian/English translation issues my experimental collaborators occasionally have.
zuliani71 (author) in reply to kelseymhJan 10, 2011. 2:04 PM
now teh fist page picture and the video from you-tube are embedded inside the instructable. Let me know your opinion. Bye David
kelseymh in reply to zuliani71Jan 10, 2011. 2:11 PM
Great work! It looks like the video covers the whole building and tuning process, which makes it a great complement to the written Instructable. And it makes it very clear just how "fiddly" the process actually is.
zuliani71 (author) in reply to kelseymhJan 15, 2011. 1:32 PM
Hi

I'm improving the instructable. I've made a new shorter you tube video (less boring).
Unfortunately I'm not able to add it anymore to the instructable. I don't know why. when I push the "embedded video" button (in the edit menu) it appears an empty space where to paste the code coming from the you tube video, but when I push the "Ok" button nothing happen.

If I use firefox a "javascript:void(0)" mesaage appears in the bottom left window,
if I use Internet Explorer "Errore nella visualizzazione della pagina"

Can you help me
kelseymh in reply to zuliani71Jan 15, 2011. 2:50 PM
Hmmmm....are you actually pasting the code into the pop-up box?

The "javascript:void(0)" you see in your browser frame is normal; that's because the OK button is not a hyperlink, but rather a JavaScript action.

The site has been doing some software updates over the past couple of days. It's possible that they touched the code which handles the video embedding and broke it.

If you are still seeing this problem, would you mind posting a bug report?
zuliani71 (author) in reply to kelseymhJan 15, 2011. 4:08 PM
Yes I pasted the code into the pop-up box, like I did the first time when everything went well. Up to now I've made some tests:
a) removed the old code from the instructable (actually is just a frame with the "flash" tag inside) and added the new code. As I told this doesn't work.
b) I left the "original instructable step" with inside the old video (which is working) and I added a new step with the new video. Same problem as a)
c) I've repeated step a) and b) after rebooting my PC. Same results.
d) I've made step a) but from my laptop and now it works. As I can see there are some different windows update still pending on my laptop. Currently, instead, my PC is fully updated.
zuliani71 (author) in reply to kelseymhJan 10, 2011. 2:32 PM
Thanks I'm very happy you appreciate my work. What about the text? Can you help me to correct the worst sentences? I see there is a "contests section" on instructables. Do you think I can subscribe at some of them?
kelseymh in reply to zuliani71Jan 10, 2011. 4:02 PM
I sent you a "private message" (at the top of any Instructables page, you should see a link that says "Inbox (1)", right next to "You"). I don't think that correcting someone's grammar is usually appropriate for public discussion, unless they're being deliberately stupid :-)

For the contests, you should click on that link, and see what sorts of contests are currently running. The only one active right now is for homemade soup; I don't think this qualifies :-)

If you are interested in writing up other projects that you create, you should keep an eye on the list of contests, and also look at the discussion forums for announcements of upcoming contests, so that you can plan for them.

Good luck, and welcome to Instructables!
zuliani71 (author) in reply to kelseymhJan 11, 2011. 1:55 AM
Ok, I'll check the your private message as soon as possible. Thanks again for the support. Bye David
zuliani71 (author) in reply to kelseymhJan 10, 2011. 12:35 PM
kelseymh I'll be happy if you could help me in improving the text. I'll wait your comments. Currently I'm seeking a good picture for the first page.

Bye and thanks
kelseymh in reply to zuliani71Jan 10, 2011. 4:03 PM
I sent you a message with my suggestions for changing the language. I did not try to do a complete "edit" of your work, I just focused on specific phrases which sounded weird in English, but which I think were probably quite sensible Italian (your use of "libra" for "scale" was one :-).
kelseymh says: Jan 9, 2011. 11:35 PM
For your Introductory step, it would be good if you included a picture of your final, completed project, preferably in action. The Intro picture is what get used as a "thumbnail" on the "Recent Instructables" page. Without a picture, your I'ble is going to get very few views.

In your final step, where you want to have a video, it would be better if you created an account on YouTube, or Vimeo, or one of the other video-streaming sites. Upload your video file there, then use that site's "embed code" to attach the video. Instructables doesn't have the bandwidth to support streaming video directly.
Kiteman in reply to kelseymhJan 10, 2011. 11:32 AM
+1
Pro

Get More Out of Instructables

Already have an Account?

close

PDF Downloads
As a Pro member, you will gain access to download any Instructable in the PDF format. You also have the ability to customize your PDF download.

Upgrade to Pro today!