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.

Trading Card Dispenser: WIDE version

December 2023:

Mike’s card maker, unfortunately, don’t always cut them to the same tight tolerance, so in the past I’ve had to trim them down to fit in the TCD unit.

This isn’t really practical lol so I decided to make a second WIDE version of the TCD to allow for this. I couldn’t just increase the size in Cura, as this would mess with all the other dimensions.

So the cartridge inside width was increased and the main body’s slot opening was also increased slightly.

I 3D printed off a full set from the files & assembled them, cannibalising motor parts & spring plate from an older model.

January 2024:

Testing the new version and it worked.

-----

October 2024, I'll be uploading this version to my Prusa account in the near future.

The Mandalorian: R5-D4 trading Card '88': version No1

Managed to bag this bargin on eBay, from a UK seller.

Still on the lookout for the other versions, at a reasonable price, but unfortunately the others are in the USA so postage is an extortionate amount, in relation to the card itself, so will just have to settle for this one for now.

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.

Trading Card Dispenser: original idea

Got asked a question on my YouTube channel about swapping the mini motor for a servo.

This was actually one of my first attempts ,back in 2019, to achieve the cards being dispensed.

As you’ll see in the short video below, it worked but wasn’t very reliable for repeating the operation.

Then there was the issue of the servo AND its wheel, of being too bulky and its protrusion above the box, for fitting into a confined space.

I may revisit this though, using learned knowledge from the build ideas that followed.

‘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. 

Throwback two years - A Cup of Tea with Sam & Lee [2020]

This notification pinged up on my phone this morning, reminding me that it's two years since I was visited by ..... no, not the ghost's of Christmas past 😆😆😆 lol....... but by Sam & Lee.

We got to talk about droid building of R5, projects, future builds, events etc and also the South West accent 😄 lol

Check out the interview link here >>>

 Lockdown DroidBuilders Show with Sam & Lee 

For the actual interview,

fast forward to the 08.00 minute mark 😄

Once you've watched, then have a look at the other YouTube videos on the channel as there are past events & tutorials, featuring not only Sam & Lee, but Oliver, Giles and others!

Interested in joining and building your own droid, then checkout

www.droidbuilders.uk

Transmitter modification - remote for the ‘Trading Card Dispenser’

As much as I luved my wrist strapped remote control unit <Blog link, for activating R5's trading card dispenser, it is not so easy to operate, whilst holding the transmitter.

It's even harder to remember which on activates the TCD and which one fires the Bad Motivator system lol.

I originally went with a simple clip attachment <-Blog link, to the transmitter for the remote to clip into.

These both worked fine and the files can be found on my Prusa account page.

(The watch remote's are not presently up, but will be soon.)

So after some thought and tinkering, I found a momentary switch and tested it on the remotes contacts to check that a remote switch WOULD still work lol. Two dabs of solder onto the contacts and the remotes remote switch was on. Next up was the LED, again, having it show that I HAD actually pressed the button, I wanted an indicator. A quick test with the contacts of an LED onto the contacts of the board mounted on, showed that it lit up. Two more dabs of solder and we were in business.

I positioned the LED next to the Utility arm's switch. Both these were secured in place with hot glue.

Above picture: the switch is just below it. The momentary switch was positioned a bit further down due to space, but it's still in a good place to press, without loosening your grip on the transmitter.

Front view of LED and new momentary switch.

Then came the really tricky part lol, finding a position to locate the actual remote's board. I covered exposed contacts with electrical tape, before placing the remote's board inside. I then applied more tape over it to secure it. I did think of securing with hot glue but decided not to.

Just need to test it next....

Yep, it lights up lol.

3D printed ‘Trading Card Dispenser’ parts request

Was asked if I could 3D print off and send over a set of the TCD, Trading Card Dispenser.

Didn’t have much free printer time, but managed to get a set done over the weekend.

Only another 15hrs to go……

Postage is always a nightmare cost wise, but managed to get a good price, with tracking and signed for delivery. Didn’t want to go to all this trouble and then it not arrive.

Packed up using recycled paper, thanks Amazon 😂👍🏽.

Weight…..

Just waiting for the okay to post.

After a mare with the postal service, eventually it got posted…..

Trading Card Dispenser - version 2 (file link)

Finished off the assembly/printing instructions and uploaded all to my Prusa profile.

Click on the link to check it out.

Trading Card Dispenser : Version 2…. part 3 news update

 Version 2: news update……

…….Due to illness, the last three weeks, I’ve not been able to finalise uploading the new stl files or finish revising the new instruction/assembly sheet PDF.

A side note:

Bought components required, springs, motor, wheel and pin, remain the same as version 1, so you maybe able to salvage these components to use on this version 2 if you have already built version 1.

I will be uploading the files to my Prusa account and I’ll post up on here/astromech forums/Facebook/Twitter once this has been completed, which should be in the next few days.

Am really excited to be able to share this version 2 as a lot of people have been messaging me about it lol.

**UPDATE: now uploaded**

www.printables.com/model/162486-trading-card-dispenser-version-2-cartridge-loader

Trading Card Dispenser : Version 2…. part 2

First test printing of the parts at 0.15 layer height.

Then trimming and filing off layer lines so that everything that 'touches' runs smoothly. The card plate and the top plate are printed so they have smooth surfaces from the glass print bed.

Before gluing on the top plate, the card plate and springs have to be installed first. I had to check the cards would fit ok....

Next up was to install the mini motor, wheel adaptor and rubber wheel. Then measure and cut the aluminium rod to length, and push it into place for the wheel support axel. The motor needs to be wired up still, in this next picture.

A few test to be carried out and also a modification to the original bracket to support the new unit, possibly……or the main unit could be redesigned to accommodate a bracket.

......UPDATE

So I drew up a new bracket case version (to fit into R5), and I also made it curved at the front, this is so that it would sit flush with the NEW Utility arm socket screen, that I also 3D printed off. It wasn't painted, so will have to do this before R5's next event.

They were all installed last Friday, ready for action at MegaCON Live in Birmingham, see other post about that day in Event Report.

Trading Card Dispenser : Version 2…. coming soon!?!?

I luv using my TCD, I pop open R5’s utility arm and dispense his trading card with press of a button.

It doesn’t hold many though and if you get carried away 😂, before you know it, the dispenser is empty.

After the recent event at ‘Stars of Time’, down in Weston, reloading the dispenser through the slot was a bit time consuming 😣😣😣

So I got to thinking of how to improve the design. I came up with a few ideas and will be test printing soon.

‘Trading Card Dispenser’ utility arm inside panel 1.4

The rear utility socket screen is 99% complete. Finished off painting it today and fitted (glued) the rear piece in place (not in the picture below).

Next up was re-fitting this into R5’s utility socket......see below picture.

Need to do a panel now for the top socket.

‘Trading Card Dispenser’ utility arm inside panel 1.3

 This was the next item that needed spraying up.

I bagged the led leads, and applied a small piece of masking tape over the front of the LED. And applied the filler primer. Once dried I sprayed it up white.

Next up is to add detail and weathering.

‘Trading Card Dispenser’ utility arm inside panel 1.2

So whilst designing the rear screen for the TCD, ‘Trading Card Dispenser’, utility socket area. One thing came to me & that was the shape of the ‘hand/grip’ of the arm. I made a recess that matched it in the screen. The idea being that when opened anyone viewing inside would see it and think it was like this for a reason. This was part of the second design lol.

The third and final design, I had an idea. Rather than just have a recess there, make it into an actual ‘thing’. Thinking about events etc and when the droids are just parked up, how about making a power charging/data transfer plug. So I measured up depth, plus other dimensions and got designing.

I remembered I had some magnets that would help hold the plug in place. These magnets are fitted with wire for upto 8amps, not that I’ll be going there lol (Heat shrink was added to the fly leads). But it meant that I could wire up an LED to illuminate when the magnets made contact with them the plug.

I printed the plug in two halves to ensure good surface finish all over. I designed and printed an end cap that I would connect up to a fake power/data tube.

*** UPDATE ***

As per usual, I did some more re-designing as I wasn’t 100% happy with what I had done. I’m not a perfectionist, but if I’m not happy with what I’ve designed, I keep tinkering until I am. I was happy with the update, but not so once printed, due to the slicing I had done. So there’ll be some more work on it.

‘Trading Card Dispenser’ utility arm inside panel 1.1

Progress, after a few design changes (as mentioned in post: 1.0) I finished it and printed the screen on the Tevo at home. 0.15 layer height and took hours to print!

Above pic shows print with support still in place.

After cleaning it up, test fitting showed that I still needed to make some adjustments to get it to fit. Also, there were some areas that protruded to far out and these prevented the utility arm from fully closing. These parts were cut away and I’ll update the CAD file to match.

I’ve also been working on a something extra, just as a bit of fun which will be incorporated into the utility arm recess.

‘Trading Card Dispenser’ utility arm inside panel 1.0

Since installing the bracket that holds the TCD, ‘Trading Card Dispenser’, the idea of making/replacing the rear metal screen with something more fitting has been something I’ve been working on.

I upgraded the original piece to have a curved front and increased the thickness to act as a stop for the utility arm when it’s closed. I need to recess some details a bit more on one side.

 Next up was the sides and top. I drew up these in autocad inventor, longer than needed, and 3D printed one side off. Took this piece home and got to measuring and trimming it to fit around the utility arms pivot point bracket. See above picture.

As my droid is custom built, using the plans is only a guide lol.

After designing up a full screen, to save printing time I only printed the new part, seen in red, as it was a Friday afternoon and wanted to take it home to work on over the weekend.

The above picture shows the two pieces, which will eventually be printed/printable as one. I need to ad more rear fixing points as R5’s frame is wood.

The recesses in the red part are for future greeblies to be fitted. But rather than them being curved, I’ll make them flat so that the inserts can be printed in a flat orientation for better print results.

There is also a need for a hole to allow the servo arm to pass through to activate the utility arm. But one step at a time lol. I will of course upload this to my Thingiverse page.