2025MechatronicsCADFabrication
Tactile Fidget Board
A classroom fidget toy for kids ages 3 to 9, combining a rolling-ball track, sliding spinners, and an LED button into one desk-friendly board.
OnshapeFDM 3D printingElectronicsHand tools
Role
Solo personal project; design, fabrication, and assembly
Goal
Design a toy for children ages 3 to 9 to help relieve anxiety and improve focus in a classroom setting.
Challenge
The biggest challenge was testing the rolling-ball feature and adjusting the tolerance so the ball would roll smoothly along its track without ever falling out of the channel.
Solution
I designed and built this project on my own, modeling the board in Onshape with a focus on ergonomics, safety, and manufacturability for a classroom context. The rolling-ball track took the most iteration, with tolerances adjusted across multiple design cycles to achieve a smooth, satisfying movement and no risk of the ball escaping. The 0.24 inch radius ball was validated against the track geometry to confirm proper clearance. I integrated a sliding bar with spinners as a second mode of tactile engagement, plus a recessed button wired to an LED for interactive visual feedback.
Results
- Final design balances engaging interactivity with a low-profile, desk-friendly footprint appropriate for children ages 3 to 9.
- Rolling-ball track delivers smooth, satisfying motion with zero ball escapes after tolerance tuning.
- Strengthened my experience with tolerance analysis, user-centered design, and iterative CAD refinement in Onshape.
