A machine with toys made of paper with your own hands: the complete guide

Creating your own entertainment device is a fascinating process that combines engineering creativity and nostalgia for retro games. Paper toy machine (often called claw machine) is not just a craft, but a complex mechanism that requires accuracy in calculations and accuracy in execution. Modern technologies allow you to turn ordinary cardboard into a functional gaming machine that can surprise children and adults.

Unlike the store counterparts, the homemade version gives you complete control over the design, complexity of the game and prize pool. You can set it up. gripper So it works honestly, or, conversely, add an element of randomness. In this article, we will analyze all the stages of creating a device: from preparing materials to final configuration of electronics.

The main advantage of this project is the availability of materials. You don’t have to search for rare parts or order expensive components from abroad. The basis of the design is a dense cardboard with a thickness of at least 2 mm, which provides the necessary rigidity of the body. Let’s start with your own personal amusement park.

Required materials and tools for assembly

Before assembly begins, it is important to prepare all components so as not to interrupt the process halfway through. cardboard It is the basic material, but its quality directly affects the durability of the device. It is best to use corrugated cardboard from household appliances or special sheets for modeling, which can be purchased in art stores.

To create moving parts, such as a paw grip, you will need wire or thin metal rods. The lifting mechanism is often based on threads or fishing line, which should have high tensile strength. Leska It is preferable to thread, as it is less stretched and does not stick with time.

• 📦 Dense corrugated cardboard (minimum 2-3 square meters)
• ✂️ Office knife and sharp-ended scissors
• 🧵 Strong line or capron thread
• 🔋 Batteries AA and holder for them (or power supply 5B)
• 🧸 Small light toys for the prize fund

Don't forget the glue. Conventional PVA can soak cardboard, so it is better to use for load-bearing structures heat-glue or glue moment. However, work with them carefully, as they quickly grasp and do not give time to adjust the position of the parts.

⚠️ Warning: When working with a stationery knife, use a cutting board or a special mat so as not to damage the surface of the table and not to blunt the blade against the hard base.

Development of drawings and marking of the body

Any engineering product begins with a drawing. For a toy machine, it is critical to keep the proportions in place, otherwise the mechanism will get stuck or sway. You can find ready-made templates on the Internet or draw them yourself, based on the size of the available ones. prize.

The standard height of the playing field is about 30-40 cm, width is 20-25 cm, and depth is 15-20 cm. These dimensions allow you to conveniently place your hand for control or install a homemade joystick. When marking cardboard, always add valves for gluing 1-1.5 cm wide.

Pay special attention to the front panel, which will be transparent. In the paper version, its role can be played by a dense film or a cut out window closed with transparent plastic from the packaging. Transparency It is necessary for visual control of the game.

Detail	Number of	Size (cm)	Appointment
Ground	1 pc	25x20	Prize-dropping floor
side-slips	2 pcs	40x20	The walls of the case
Cover	1 pc	25x20	Top panel with mechanism
Back wall.	1 pc	40x25	Loading hatch cap

After cutting out all the parts, it is recommended to try them on each other without glue. This will help to identify errors in size at an early stage. If the parts are stained, check the angles of the slices - they should be strictly 90 degrees.

Creation of a capture mechanism (claws)

The heart of any crane machine is a gripper. In the paper version, it is difficult to implement a full motorized gripper, so we use a mechanical or simple electrical circuit. The most reliable option is thread-based.

The design of the paw usually consists of three or four "fingers" made of bent wire or dense cardboard wrapped with tape for strength. They are connected at the top and diluted to the sides. When the central thread is stretched, the fingers close, grabbing the object.

The Secret to Perfect Capture

In order for the paw to better hold the toys, on the ends of the "fingers" you can stick pieces of rubber from a balloon or use hot glue to create a rough surface. This will increase the friction coefficient.

To automate the process, you can use a small electric motor with a gearbox (for example, from an old toy). The motor winds the thread on the shaft, raising the paw, and when the chain is opened, the paw under its own weight falls, unclustering. gearbox This is a must because the motor must develop force, not speed.

• ⚙️ Prepare the rotation axis for the paw (dental or spoke)
• 🧶 Tie the control threads to the top of the paw
• 🔌 Connect the motor to the power source via the button
• 🧪 Test the fingers closing on different loads

It's important to balance your paw. If the center of gravity is shifted, it will sway when lifting and drop prey. Use small pieces of plasticine or lead to balance the bottom of the mechanism.

Assembly of the body and the playing field

When the capture mechanism is ready, we begin to assemble the "body" of the machine. Start by connecting the sidewalls and the base. Make sure the structure is flat and does not stagger. The corners can be reinforced with triangular inserts of cardboard inside the case for additional rigidity.

In the upper part of the body, a hole must be provided for the exit of the paw. It should be wide enough for the paw to pass freely, but not too large so that players cannot stick their hand inside. Security Priority number one, especially if the machine is designed for children.

⚠️ Warning: All sharp edges of cardboard inside the structure should be taped with tape or paper to avoid cuts to the hands when stuck toys or maintenance apparatus.

The back wall must be removable or have an opening door. Through it you will be downloading new ones. prize And retrieve the stuck objects. It is most convenient to make a door on hinges made of fabric or tape, fixed to magnets or Velcros.

The interior space can be decorated with colored paper or printed pictures, creating a thematic design (space, jungle, city). This will increase the attractiveness of the machine and hide possible flaws of the assembly.

Electrical circuitry and control

To revive the machine will require a simple electrical circuit. You will need a power source (usually 2 AA batteries give 3V, which is enough for low-power motors), an on button and the motor itself. The compounds are best soldered, but you can use a twist with thermal shrinkage insulation.

The control circuit can be implemented through a fixing switch or through a button switch. A more advanced option is to use a timer that limits the engine’s running time, preventing the player from holding the button pinched indefinitely. Timer. Adds an element of excitement and resource constraints.

Connection diagram:
[Batteries (+)] ---> [Button] ---> [Motor (+)]
[Batteries (-)] -----------------------> [Motor (-)]

Wires should be carefully laid along the walls of the case and fixed with tape so that they do not fall into the moving parts of the mechanism. Put the control button on the front panel, marking it with a bright marker.

For those who are familiar with programming, using a board is a great idea. Arduino or Micro:bit. This will allow you to add sound effects, LED backlighting and even a digital scoreboard with a score.

Set up complexity and testing

The final step is calibration. The machine should not be too light, otherwise the game will get bored quickly, but not too complicated to cause frustration. Adjust the tension of the threads and the weight of the paw counterbalances. Balance - the key word here.

Conduct a series of test runs with different types of toys: soft, hard, light and heavy. Record the results. If the paw breaks, it may be worth reducing the speed of lifting or changing the shape of the fingers.

Don’t forget about the interface design. Draw or print the instructions: "Put your paw down", "Push the button", "Pick the prize". Place them in prominent places. This will make the device look like a real attraction.

What to do if the paw gets stuck at the top?

This is a common problem associated with the distortion of the axis of rotation. Check whether the shaft on which the paw is held freely rotates. Perhaps it is worth lubricating it with graphite or reducing friction, making the holes in the cardboard a little wider.

Can this machine be used to sell prizes?

Technically yes, but keep in mind the legal aspects. In most countries, a license is required to organize paid games with winnings. There are no restrictions for home use or children's holidays.

How to increase the strength of a paper machine?

Use the technique of laminating cardboard with tape from all sides or soak it with a solution of PVA with water. You can also combine cardboard with thin wooden slats for the frame.

What toys are best suited for this machine?

Best suited light plush toys size 3-5 cm, Kinder surprises or key fobs. Heavy objects can break the thread or break the cardboard paw.

Do I need to have a transparent window?

This is critically important for gameplay. Without a transparent window, the player cannot see where he is lowering his paw. Use a dense film from files or transparent plastic from the packaging of goods.