Dry-fit the lift inlet and outlet before gluing a wooden marble run. Roll the actual marble through each transition with the assembly resting in its intended position. A smooth track is not enough: a small lip, sideways offset, or reversed exit can prevent the marble from reaching the next section.
An Atomm hand-crank marble-run project treats the inlet and outlet as separate assembly steps and emphasizes their orientation. Our recommendation is to make those transitions independent acceptance points when adapting a design for TYVOK X1S 2026. The source does not establish a universal marble size or machine setting.
Make the first assembly reversible
Lay out the base, lift supports, inlet, and outlet without adhesive. Label the underside of each part with its intended direction. Fit only enough structure to reproduce the real entry and exit heights; testing a track loose on a tabletop can hide an alignment problem that appears after mounting.
Measure the marbles you actually own. If the set contains visibly different sizes, separate them before testing. One successful roll proves little when the next marble is larger. Begin with individual slow rolls, then observe several consecutive transitions without pushing the marble across a difficult point.
| Transition check | What counts as useful evidence |
|---|---|
| Approach to inlet | Marble reaches the opening without hand assistance |
| Entrance clearance | Marble does not pinch between sidewalls |
| Lift discharge | Marble leaves in the intended direction |
| First downstream joint | No ledge traps the marble at the seam |
| Repeated cycle | Several attempts follow the same route |
If the problem appears only after several cycles, look for a part shifting in its temporary fit. Correct the locating method before changing the entire track. For another moving wooden assembly, checking a spinning-top shaft before personalization follows the same functional-first logic, although its fit criteria are different.
Preserve the dimensions that made it work
Confirm the SVG scale using a known reference square. Resizing the complete design changes clearances as well as overall footprint. Keep notes on material thickness and the actual marble diameter with the successful file.
If you add witness marks for assembly, follow the separation used for birdfeeder assembly guide lines: a locating mark should not accidentally become a through-cut.
For machine selection, consult the TYVOK X1S 2026 specifications and verify the chosen configuration, material, and supported processing workflow. Treat this as a supervised adult prototype. Successful rolling does not establish toy safety, and competitor project settings do not establish cutting capability on your machine.
Questions about the transitions
Can I glue the outlet first and adjust the track later?
You may lose the adjustment that would have solved the problem. Temporarily assemble both sides of the joint, establish the rolling direction, and only bond parts after the complete transition works.
Why does the marble roll through when I tilt the whole model?
Tilting changes the available slope and can conceal a lip or incorrect mounting height. Diagnose the run at its intended operating angle. A model that works only when held at an improvised angle has not passed that assembly test.
