Portable Foosball Table

Students

Jonathan Levine
Economics, 2020

Arman Medghalchi
Computer Science, 2020

Project Description

The goal of our project was to create a miniature, portable foosball table. Foosball is an incredibly easy game to play, and can be enjoyed by individuals of all ages. However, one of the most frustrating aspects of foosball is the size of the tables and the space these foosball tables take up. Foosball is a game that has always brought us a lot of joy, and as college student-athletes who are constantly on the go, we wanted to create a foosball table that we could bring with us on the road. We have created a portable foosball table that is approximately 2 feet by 1 foot in size, making the foosball table large enough in size for an enjoyable game, but small enough so that it can be easily brought in a car or even carried to a new location. The final project consisted of a wood frame, and was designed to resemble an actual soccer field. Due to the smaller size and scale of our portable foosball table, our game was comprised of 4 metal foosball rods and 12 3D-printed foosball players. This made our design much smaller than a normal foosball table, which contains 8 metal rods and 22 foosball players.

Technical Background

Fusion360 is a computer-aided design (CAD) software often used to assist with modeling and incorporates both direct and parametric modeling processes (“Model”). Parametric modeling involves the creation of two-dimensional designs that are in turn transformed into three-dimensional figures where, as the name suggests, the model is determined and constrained by the parameters set as a part of its design. Parametric modeling is a form Parametric design can also be referred to as history-based CAD software, as the file builds upon and is constrained by previous designs in the file. Additionally, the other aspect of the Fusion360 software is direct modeling. Direct modeling is not constrained by previous elements, allowing for the designer to constantly tweak and adjust their model throughout the design process (Alba).
Within Fusion360, there are multiple types of CAD models that are utilized, such as solid modeling, surface modeling and NURBS. Solid modeling is often believed to be one of the most complicated forms of CAD modeling. This is because it involves the simulation of both the inside and outside of objects, and ensures that all edges meet and the figures are all geometrically correct (“Solid modeling”). On the other hand, surface models, which are often used for 3-D and architectural designs, are not as complex as solid models, as they cannot be cut open to display the interior of the model (“Surface modeling”). NURBS, which stands for Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines, are NURBS are complex and detailed 3D models that are derived from many, smaller 2D forms, such as lines, arcs, circles or curves. Due to the high level of detail and flexibility they provide the creator, NURBS can be used in a variety of different fields and professions (“What are NURBS?”).
Fusion360 is a useful software program as it allows for the creation of a three-dimensional representation of a project, which can be used to assist with its fabrication. The software allows for the dimensions, area and volume of models to be measured within the software. Additionally, designs and objects created within the Fusion360 software can be exported to machines such as a CNC milling machine or a three-dimensional printer.
While Fusion360 most frequently uses solid 3D models, often 3D models from websites such as Thingiverse.com are incorporated, which tend to be mesh based files. Mesh based files, also known as polygon mesh files, are made up of smaller polygon faces, connected by their edges and adjacent points to render a 3D model (“Polygon Mesh”). A special kind of polygon mesh, that is very much like a NURB, is a T-Spline. T-Splines are advance types of 3D modeling files that simplify the editing process. However, unlike NURBS files, the creator can edit or remove one edge of the model without having it adversely affect the entire model (Banks). As a result, the combination of files created in Fusion360 and files downloaded from online sources can result in models with multiple types of modeling files, allowing for varying levels of complexity in design.

Alba, Michael. “What’s the Difference Between Parametric and Direct Modeling?” Engineering.com, 6 March 2018, https://www.engineering.com/DesignSoftware/DesignSoftwareArticles/ArticleID/16587/Whats-the-Difference-Between-Parametric-and-Direct-Modeling.aspx. Accessed 15 March 2019.
Banks, Lester. “Modeling With T-Splines in Fusion 360.” lesterbanks.com, https://lesterbanks.com/2017/03/modeling-t-splines-fusion-360/. Accessed 15 March 2019.
“Basic_foozman.” Thingiverse.com. T-Spline file. Accessed 2019.
“Model.” Autodesk, http://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?learn=model. Accessed 15 March 2019.
“Polygon Mesh.” Technopedia, https://www.techopedia.com/definition/31616/polygon-mesh. Accessed 15 March 2019.
“Solid modeling.” PC Magazine, https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/51724/solid-modeling. Accessed 15 March 2019.
“Surface modeling.” PC Magazine, https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/52270/surface-modeling. Accessed 15 March 2019.
“What are NURBS?” Rhinoceros, Robert McNeel & Associates, https://www.rhino3d.com/nurbs. Accessed 15 March 2019.

Design Drawings

Fabrication Process

The first step of creating the portable foosball table was creating the 3D model that we would base our project off. Using the CAD software Fusion360, we rendered a 3D model of what our project would look like, creating both a guide for our project, but also creating parts that we would later 3D print.
When it came to the physical fabrication process, the first step was creating the foosball table. Using a power saw, reciprocating saw, belt sander, and a power drill with a rotary rasp and spade bit, we constructed the frame of the table and carved out the goals and the holes for the shafts.
Then, using various saws, clamps and drills, we added wooden shafts, and drilled in foosball players we bought online, in order to complete our prototype. However, one of the flaws of our prototype was the friction and lack of mobility that resulted from using wooden shafts. As a result, this prompted us to shift to using metal shafts in our final version. Additionally, we realized that the unique size of the foosball table would require us to create and 3D print custom foosball players, as the players in our prototype had to lose their feet in order to fit and be functional!
Modifying a design from Thingiverse.com (the design for foosball player taken from Thingiverse under the name “basic_foozman”), we came up with a foosball player that had the correct height and holes for the shafts. After multiple failed attempts to get the foosball players to print, we were finally able to create 6 blue and 6 white foosball players for our game.
Additionally, we designed our own handles and end caps for the shafts, which we created in Fusion360 and then 3D printed.
The final part of our project consisted of painting the table, creating goals, adding lines to the field and finally, the physical assembly of the project. After painting the “field” green, and the rest of the box tan, we began the process of creating the goals. In order to create a realistic looking net, we used lacrosse mesh, securing the mesh to the box and using wooden pegs to extend the mesh out to give the goal depth. At the same time, this would allow for the ball to be easily removed from the net once a goal is scored. Our next step was more cosmetic, adding soccer lines to the field and creating signs (“Princeton Foosball”) for the sides of the box using the Cameo machine. With all of the individual parts of the project created, the final part of the fabrication process was putting all of the pieces together, resulting in a miniature foosball table.

Students

Project Description

Technical Background

Design Drawings

Fabrication Process

Final Result