Trading Card Dispenser (version 3) - TCD [2025]

New cartridge - version 3

Re visited the design of this unit and had a thought about simplifying/updating it.

A reoccurring issue I hear is with the metal springs. Either they are not the ones stated on the PDF document I created, or just simply the stiffness isn't correct.

This upgraded design does away with metal springs and instead, I have created [am impressed with myself on this one 😄😄😄] a 3D printable spring!!

3D printable spring [not print orientation shown]

I did try a coil design, lol, as I use AutoCAD for work and we use 3D versions in our valves for visual representational use, but this wasn't going to work. So I created a flat 'Z' spring. The first one I printed from the design actually worked, first time.

This then required me to modify the cartridge housing and card plate, but everything else uses the original main motor bracket etc.

This cartridge is a direct size replacement for the original one, the only downside is that it now holds fewer cards due to the 'Z' spring not compressing as much as the metal springs did.

......but I then went and designed a TALL version. This is a new TALLer cartridge housing, and a new TALLer main motor bracket unit. The below image shows the new TALLer version being printed.

Version 3b, new TALLer version being printed

The NEW version 3 Cartridge, is now uploaded to my Prusa account, click on the Prusa to be directed there.

Feedback: April 2025, .....'I printed the new cartridge and it solved my issue with the cards not ejecting repetitively!'

‘Trading Card Dispenser’ control box - servo switch controlled [Part 2]

Back in 2022, I posted up about the electronics

for the TCD Control Box.

This was supposed to be THE new RC switch controlled unit, see picture.

Wrong RC switch [not a momentary one]

.....rather than the previous (and very successful it was too) remote controlled version picture here below.

original remote controlled fob version

The new RC switch that I thought was the correct one, wasn't a momentary version, but an on/off one.

Momentary RC switch

So I had to get a new RC switch, from Model Radio Workshop.

The above switch then links to a (original design) micro voltage regulator (seen in next image) and an adjustable automotive timer (orange)

• The single relay controller (from model radio workshop) has been designed to allow modellers to switch one item on and off (max current 1 amp).
• The unit also allows the user to select latching or non latching mode, so in latching once switched on it stays on until you trigger it to un-latch.

These have gone up in price so had to find another (cost effective) type of adjustable timer, (The timer unit is the orange relay in below picture).

Components List for a RC Transmitter switch version:

• Momentary RC switch from/or similar link to Model Radio Workshop: MRW06 Single Relay Controller Switch
• Adjustable relay timer: example here.

Components List for a Remote control relay switch version:

• Remote control relay: example here.
• Adjustable relay timer: example here.
• Voltage regulator, 12v stepdown version: example here.

The above two versions have different 3D housings (If you'd like this), these can be found on my Prusa account page, FREE to download and print.

I have now created a Facebook page,

dedicated for the

Trading Card Dispenser.

To help and for others to share their builds and modifications etc.

TCD Bracket for 3D Mr Baddeley’s droid by Dave Steinke

Dave Steinke shared a modified version suitable to fit my TCD cartridge version into his new bracket design that will fit behind the utility arms.

picture link to Prusa 3D model

This was designed to be incorporated into a Mr Baddeley 3D printed R2 body.

It replaces the main body I made seen in version 2, for the cartridge loader.

picture link to Prusa 3D model

Both models can me found on Prusa account website.

Clicking on the photos above will take you to the respective models.

R5-D4: Update May/June 2023

Update from May 29th 2023

June:

TCD Control box update:

The new relay arrived, last month (May), but didn’t get a chance to do any work on the new 3D housing as work (that pays me lol) was really busy with deadlines before I was then away for a week.

I modified the base and lid to accommodate the relay & printed them out. See previous post here.

Here’s a picture and link for the new relay from Model Radio Workshop:

(Im not affiliated with this or any other sites that I link too)

R5-D4: Update April/May 2023

I’ve been giving R5 as he hadn’t been actually moved since Birmingham at the NEC.

New Dome motor wheel:

3D printed him a new wheel, as on the previous one the retainer nut wasn’t being held well and the PLA had been stretched. So I slightly modified some of the sizes and then printed it in ABS. Fitted the nut and 'o’ring and then fitted it onto the motor shaft.

Test was on Saturday at…..

 ...April

Next up was to connect up the new receiver. This didn’t take me to long, compared to the nightmare I had trying to sort it out when at Celebration 🙄.

I didn’t need to connect power (previous TX require power), this one utilities the power from being connected by the servo leads. Jacking up the wheels meant I was able to setup the drive and steering channels, plus the extra switch ones, for the utility arm, sounds and (once I have the long enough servo lead) I’ll be able to trigger the trading card dispenser.

Trading card dispenser:

A while back, I made a new trigger control box that utilised a servo controlled relay, instead of the previous remote control. Once the servo lead arrived, I crimped on new plugs to connect up the TCD control box.

View Blog post here.

But on testing it….. I realised that it needed to have a momentary activation rather than an actual ‘switch’. So I’ve been on Radio Model Workshops website and will be ordering a single RC switch relay, which has the option of it being a momentary one. So this control box will get another upgrade when it arrives.

In the meantime, I swapped the control box back over to the remote control version and 3D printed a new box for the remote, so that it could be attached to the new rear panel I’d printed off for the new Flysky transmitter.

I drew up a button bracket, that fits into one of the rear screw hole sockets, this will be upgraded again to look better and also hold the LED in place.

May 9th

Outer foot ankle lock:

The outer foot shell needed some repair to it, so with the legs off the body, I stripped the outer foot down. The ankle locks unbolted and the ankle bolt nut (previously held in place with super glue), fell out lol. I knew I needed a better way to hold them in place. I had thought about a lock washer, but then a lightbulb 💡 moment came. I measured up and drew up a nut holder to 3D print. It would be held in place by a bolt.

Nut holder loose.

Nut holder moved into position. I applied some thread lock to help keep it in position, but only nipped it tight to allow the ankle bolt to locate through into the thread.

I’ve added the file to my Prusa page.

The wooden foot shell got cleaned up inside to allow the new glass fibre to bond properly. Good as new again.

‘Trading Card Dispenser’ control box - original remote controlled version

October 1st

With working on the new servo box, see previous post, I decided that the original version could benefit from the same upgrades.

So I opened up AutoCAD inventor (works) and saved a copy, before then working on editing the new version. I removed the side clips [which took me ages originally to get just right when printed lol) and replaced them with a screw and a knurled brass insert like the other version.

Redesigned the top cut-outs whilst positioning the screw hole location.

And then printed off some label stickers, for identification.

‘Trading Card Dispenser’ control box - servo switch controlled

October 1st

Back at the beginning of the month, before I fitted the remote control, inside my transmitter, I had thought about utilising the servo activated switch module, that I’d bought for the GOUD-4 droid.

So I combined the bracket I’d designed up for it with a new saved version of the control box base.

wrong RC servo switch.....

Some other modifications were needed to accommodate the alternative model timer circuit board I’d bought, as well as doing away with the lid's side clips and replacing them with a brass knurled threaded insert. The lid section needed alterations to and the design of the slots was simplified. I did away with the LED ‘on’ indicator as it wasn’t necessary.

Have been test printing both in work and at home. It was good to use my printer that’s not been used in over a year. Dusted off the Tevo Tarantula Pro (Orange), fired it up, first print, perfectly just like always.

Probably should mention using online program, Astroprints for creating the gcode for printing on the Tevo.

UPDATE October 2024:

The RC servo switch seen in the above images was the wrong one!

I've updated with the correct RC switch, so for more I'll be posting up a new correct set of parts & 3D printable components.