3D Printed Magnetic Levitation!

I'm thrilled to unveil my new 3D printed Levitation device! How crazy is that? It's possible and actually not too difficult to make. I really had a lot of fun with this project and I am so happy with how it turned out. I hope you enjoy it! Stay tuned for more fun and random projects!

I put a lot of work into the video. It should explain everything so check it out too and thanks for watching!

Step 1: Materials

MOSFET IRFZ44N N-Channel (Jameco #669951)
Hall Effect Sensor A3144 Unipolar (Jameco #1718701)
4x AA Battery Holder Cover & Switch (Jameco #216187)
Neodymium Ring Magnets 9.5x1.5mm (Or any small strong magnet)
Magnet Wire AWG 30 (aka Enamel Wire)
Steel Screw 4x15mm Philips head
1K Resistor (Brown, Black, Red)
Mini breadboard 25 tie-points

Download link for 3D model: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2999263
Print the spool holders very slowly since the walls are thin.

Step 2: The Coil of Wire

Place the smaller spool holder inside the larger one and add the screw at the top.

I recommend creating a holder for the spool of wire to unravel from to prevent kinks in the wire. A few thick books and a pencil should do the trick.

Insert a few inches of the wire through the small hole closest to the center and wind the wire tightly and try not to overlap but some overlapping will still be ok.

When done winding, cut the wire but also leave a few inches and loop twice through the small outer hole.

Step 3: Breadboard Circuit

I designed this part so you don't need electronics experience or soldering for this step. Simple match exactly the image shown and in the video. Clip the ends off the resistor but keep both sides to use as shown.
The coil wire has an enamel coating that you need to scrape off both ends. Pay attention to the direction of the components since that is important. Make sure everything fits securely, use electrical tape to help hold in place if needed.

Step 4: Make It Levitate!

The hall sensor needs to be in the exact right position so I made the breadboard holder move around so you can tune it. Watch the video for reference. If the magnet wants to flip over, attach a piece of tape to the bottom.

Notes: Be careful and don't leave this unattended or on for more than a few minutes. The coil does get warm. Be safe and have fun!

I like to make 3D animations, 3D programming, and 3D printing on my channel so subscribe to see more! www.youtube.com/c/3dsage

Comments

[jessyratfink]

Congrats! Instructables staff featured this project on our social media for #OpenSourceSaturday!



You can see the posts here:
https://twitter.com/instructables/status/117297832...
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2Z-p2TldjX/



We’d also like to send you a prize, so be sure to check your PMs. :)

[Jakub_Nagy]

Hi, I built your device, but I have som problems running it. The oscillation frequency seems to be to low. The magnet either oscillates to much and crashes to the coil or if falls. I tried both changing the position of the sensor and changing the input voltage. I also tried sticking some bolts to the magnets in order to change their centre of mass. Could it be the mosfet? My coil is very messily wound up. I wound it with a battery drill. Could you help me? Thanks. Here is slow motion example video of how it works for me: https://youtu.be/PD3NiHXUZXw

[3DSage]

I'm glad you made it! What is the Arduino for? I did not have that in my design. Yes double check that you have the exact same mosfet. They are all different. Yes a good wound coil is very helpful. I know it is slow and boring but do take your time and wind it as clean as you can. Mine has some overlapping but not much. Use a thinner magnet. My magnet was thin and light so better at floating. And rewatch the video for anything you might have missed. Keep me updated and let me know how it goes! Thank you!

[Jakub_Nagy]

That isn't an arduino but a variable power supply. I checked the MOSFET I have the right one. Okay, I'll rewind the coil. But could you give me more specific instructions? How many layers should the coil have? Also I couldn't find the 30 gauge wire so instead I used a bit thinner 32 gauge one. I tried smaller and lighter magnets, but that didn't work at all.

[Thorondor95]

This is a really cool project and everything, but for my purposes I need a system that can be left on as long as you want, for displaying something in my room. At the gift shop at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico, there is a levitation device holding up a Nalgene water bottle (I will get you a picture when I can find my camera). It appeared to be held up by magnetic pieces in the top and bottom of the bottle. Are you aware of any commercially available versions of this project?

[3DSage]

Thank you! I believe I have seen premade commercial levitators on some cool tech websites. I think they would be better for what you need considering my tutorial is for very light weight materials. Good luck and post an update here if you find somehting cool that works for you!

[Thorondor95]

It took one Google search to find a whole company that does these things: crealev.com. They're from the Netherlands. They also sell these things for upwards of $2000. Fortunately, I also found several cheap non-industrial grade versions for about $60.

[snorlaxprime]

You can also search "magnetic levitation" in Aliexpress, you will find a few different variant of the device. There is another instructables showing how to float the object with the magnet at the bottom. https://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Air-Bonsai-Levitation/

[patrick_gopro]

Présentation très soignée. Beaucoup d'efforts pour expliquer le projet. Merci. C'est très didactique.

Et tout ça sans soudure ni microcontroleur: Bravo.

J'ai très envie de le réaliser et peut-être explorer un peu plus cette technique.

[ILykMakin]

From a presentation/aesthtic perspective: Print something that hides the workings. At present it's like doing a magic trick and showing all the wires and secret props.

[cdavenport]

Do you think it would be possible to design a levitation device that suspended an object from below? I was thinking of three magnets in a tripod arrangement, angled inward to a specified point in space. But, I have no skill @ electronic design. I'm sure managing the Hall effect among three electro magnets might be a challenge.

[3DSage]

It's possible but not as easy as what I show here. Magnets angled inward from below usually end up flipping the floating magnet over preventing it from staying up. Unless a computer controls subtle variations. It's something I want to look into and if I figure out a simple solution I will make a part 2 video! :)

[mvpalencia]

nice work!

[Sixela963]

After watching GreatScott's videos on a similar project, I didn't except the feedback to be so simple! Thanks for this, I may try at some point

[3DSage]

I'm happy to hear that! I'm glad my hard work paid off. Thank you for your comment.

[SimonRob]

I thought the same !

[SimonRob]

it's very well explained !! well done

[3DSage]

Thank you! :)

[Artuino]

very simple and impressive!

[3DSage]

Thank you for saying that! I tried my best to keep it simple.