3D Printed Playdoh Tools for Train

For this project I designed and modelled two train bases with moving wheel axels and a playdoh roller handle with detachable roller. This project came about how most of my inspiration happens these days, by my two boys. My older son loves trains and playdoh, so this is a match made in heaven for him. He constantly asks me to make him a train, only issue, he wants it to move... of course we know this just isn't possible. Now I have used Lego car bases to achieve this and also wooden train bases, but the Lego carriages are too large to cover in playdoh, and the playdoh likes to get stuck. This also happens with the wood, it also like to stick and stain the wooden bases. So I decided to design him two train carriages which are made to hold playdoh and be personalised. This includes having small pins on the top to help keep the playdoh in place, and also indented wheels to allow for playdoh to be squished inside. 

For the roller element, I wanted to create a track stamp roller, this adds more play value for my son as a track is also something he asks for me to make. But the roller had two empty end faces, so I decided to use these faces to create two wheel stamps. 

With a different wheel design modelled onto each side of the roller, I can press clay into the wheel and stamp them. Which you can see below. This allows a child to be creative and have wheel design options and also varied colour options. The tools could also be used for kinetic sand. The full tutorial on how to create this set is on its way and will be published onto the SOLIDWORKS Tech Blog, so keep your eyes peeled for that. 

The parts were 3D printed using 3DPRINTUK, with the help and guidance from Kirby Downey, so shout out to him for all his help. Makers solidworkschampion