We are a new sport called yBall, based in Bournemouth with the view to expand into other areas of the south. We would like to start producing dozens, if not more of our goals through 3D printing as well as keep it local to where the sport began.
They are 2x2m (8ftx8ft) and currently made out of dulled up plumbing pipe, we would like something that wouldn’t be so much of a trip hazard as well as something that would grip indoor sports hall floors. Additionally, something that can be packed up and moved easily if possible.
We have looked at designing a sloped main pole with separate corners to help with transportation but if there are ways to do this more easily then we’d love to here about them. We’re very new to 3D printing and would be very much open to suggestions.
Id recommend flexible filaments, maybe something like ninjaflex, as these should be great for grip. It can scrunch up into a bag making for easy transportation, and laid down as a goal it would lie flat, and reduce trip hazard. It would probably also follow the sand contours well when outdoors. Not sure how well it would hold a true square at 2m, but could be reinforced on match day. They come in bright colours allowing for easy visibility, and perhaps even glow in the dark would be nice for night matches?
That said, the dimensions are huge, my build platform is only 20cm square, so unfortunately I can’t print this - at least not as one part, but someone on here should be able to help.
Printing something so large would be fairly expensive, plus it would be difficult to find someone who could print the lengths in a single piece. You would most likely end up with multiple shorter sections you’d need to join together.
Have you thought of something like the cable protectors you use to prevent loose cabling being a trip hazard? They’ve got the right profile, are flexible so they should take a pounding (more than rigid 3d-printed plastic) and if you cover them in reflective tape, would give you the visibility you’re after. You could have the corner connectors 3D-printed.
I think primaltalk’s answer is great. The corners could be designed to allow a tent peg to hold it in place for cases like the beach or field ( al long as the top is shielded), and on a flat floor that profile stays put really well. I have a roll of it here in the office, it’s will cost a lot more than pvc pipe, but definitely well suited to the job.
To add to this problem solving mission you’ve all dived into, we are needing it to fit into a large but manageable sports bag. The aim of which is to begin distributing around the country… exciting times. So the main points are:
2x2m
grippy for indoor use
collapsible to fit into sports bag
as slim as possible to reduce the trip hazzard
ridged to a point, just so it holds it shape
We have had the idea of having larger corners and shorter sides (see pic) to get round the length issue… but again open to suggestions.
To reply to your messages:
sra1 - yes it is a nerf! As you can imagine it’s fast paced game!
- would ninjaflex hold its shape for the sizes we’re looking at?
