Design a Ganondorf Lift: 3D-Printable Parts and Building Guide for Clubs

Hook: Turn student frustration into a wow moment — fast

Teachers and club leaders: you want a fast, affordable, and safe maker project that gives students the thrill of a LEGO-style mini-showpiece — the dramatic rise of a villainous figure — without expensive proprietary parts or steep CAD barriers. In 2026, classrooms have more low-cost 3D printers than ever, but scattered instructions and complex source files make setup slow. This guide solves that pain: downloadable 3D-printable STL files, kid-friendly CAD lessons, printer profiles for popular budget machines (Anycubic and Creality models), and step-by-step build and safety instructions so your club can print, assemble, and run a Ganondorf-style lift in a single 2–3 hour session.

The evolution of LEGO modding and classroom makers in 2026

Late 2025 and early 2026 saw a spike in interest for interactive LEGO displays after LEGO officially unveiled its The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time — The Final Battle set (released March 1, 2026) with a minifigure that rises from a tower at the push of a button. That resurgence pushed community makers and educators to ask: how can we reproduce a similar rising mechanism for classroom demos and student projects using affordable 3D printers? Schools are responding — entry-level printers like the Anycubic Vyper and Creality Ender S1 are in many maker labs thanks to budget deals and improved reliability. This project is built specifically for that environment: low-cost hardware, simple CAD that teaches core principles, and STL files ready to slice.

What you'll get (and why it matters)

• Printable STL set — 12 modular parts that print on 220 x 220 mm beds.
• Two build modes — manual crank (kid-friendly) and micro‑servo automated (advanced clubs).
• CAD lessons — three short exercises in TinkerCAD, FreeCAD, and Onshape that teach cams, sliders, and press-fit tolerances.
• Printer profiles — recommended slicer settings for Anycubic and Creality entry-level printers in 2026.
• Safety & classroom management — supervision checklist, PPE, and time-saving print farm tips.

Quick overview: the mechanism (what students will learn)

The lift recreates the visual of a minifigure rising from a platform using a simple cam-and-slider assembly. A rotating cam converts rotary motion (crank or servo) into linear motion to raise a small pedestal. The design is intentionally modular so parts are printed separately and assembled with M3 screws, 5 mm rods, or LEGO-compatible connectors. This teaches students about:

• Mechanical advantage and motion conversion
• Clearances and tolerances for press fits
• Basic CAD constraints and parametrics
• Slicing trade-offs: strength vs speed

STL file list (download-ready filenames)

Host these files on your LMS, Google Drive, GitHub Classroom, or local file server. Filenames are intentionally clear for classroom use.

1. ganon_base_v1.stl — baseplate with mounting holes (220x120 mm footprint)
2. ganon_pedestal_v1.stl — pedestal that carries the minifig platform
3. ganon_cam_v1.stl — eccentric cam wheel (Ø40 mm)
4. ganon_camshaft_bushing.stl — bushing for low-friction rotation
5. ganon_crank_handle.stl — printable crank handle (manual mode)
6. ganon_slider_rail_v1.stl — guide that keeps pedestal straight
7. ganon_cover_plate_v1.stl — top cover with minifig slot
8. ganon_servo_mount_v1.stl — mount for micro servo (e.g., SG90)
9. ganon_gearing_adaptor.stl — optional gear adapter for servo
10. ganon_pin_v1.stl — 5mm press-fit pivot pins (for classroom convenience)
11. ganon_screw_caps.stl — aesthetic caps for M3 screws
12. ganon_tooling_jig.stl — print-once jig to align parts during assembly

Print setup: recommended settings for Anycubic & Creality (2026)

These profiles target popular, budget-friendly printers widely found in schools in 2026: Anycubic Vyper, Anycubic Kobra Go, Creality Ender 3 S1, and Creality K1 Mini. Adjust nozzle size and bed size as needed.

Material choices

• PLA — easiest to print, ideal for classroom projects and visible parts (pedestal, cover). Use for beginners.
• PETG — for cam and camshaft where extra wear resistance is helpful; slight stringing risk but stronger than PLA.
• TPU — optional soft feet or friction pads; avoid for structural parts.

Base slicer profile (Anycubic/Creality, 0.4 mm nozzle)

• Layer height: 0.20 mm (fine balance of quality and speed)
• Wall/perimeter: 3 walls (0.4 mm nozzle)
• Top/bottom layers: 6
• Infill: 20% gyroid for structural parts; 10% for purely decorative parts
• Print speed: 50 mm/s (30–40 mm/s for small schools with older machines)
• Bed temp: 60°C for PLA; 80°C for PETG
• Nozzle temp: 200°C for PLA; 240°C for PETG
• Retraction: 5–7 mm (Bowden) or 1–2 mm (direct drive)
• Supports: Minimal — enable for the crank handle overhangs and servo mount if oriented poorly

Print orientation & tolerances

Orient the cam flat on the bed for best surface finish and consistent roundness. Print the pedestal with its slot upward and the slider rail on its side for optimal strength. Use a nominal clearance of 0.2 mm between mating press-fit parts (e.g., pin to hole) — this works reliably for most classroom printers. If a fit is too tight, students can sand the part or heat slightly to remove a few hundredths of a millimeter.

Simple CAD lessons: 3 exercises for classroom groups (30–45 minutes each)

These three short lessons build student confidence and map directly to parts in the STL set. Each lesson can be completed in a single club meeting.

Lesson 1: TinkerCAD — design a cam (ages 8+)

1. Create a 40 mm cylinder; set height to 8 mm.
2. Duplicate and offset an inner cylinder by 6 mm to make the eccentric profile.
3. Use the "hole" tool to create the camshaft bore (5 mm) and two M3 screw holes (3.2 mm).
4. Combine shapes and export as STL.

Teaching point: show how the eccentricity determines stroke (difference between max/min radius). Ask: what happens if we double the offset?

Lesson 2: FreeCAD — parametric slider and clearance (ages 11+)

1. Start a sketch of the slider cross-section; constrain the width to 20 mm and height to 8 mm.
2. Extrude to the required length (50–70 mm). Add a 5 mm bore for the pivot.
3. Create a loft or subtraction cut for the guide slot; test fit by creating a second body representing the pedestal to check clearance.
4. Use the Spreadsheet workbench to parametrize width and easily change tolerances.

Teaching point: parametrics show how a single dimension change updates all dependent geometry — great for iterative prototyping.

Lesson 3: Onshape — assembly and servo mount (ages 13+)

1. Import cam, base, and pedestal parts as individual parts.
2. Create mate connectors for the camshaft and pedestal rail.
3. Build a simple gear adapter for an SG90 microservo gearing to the camshaft; simulate rotation to validate the pedestal range.

Teaching point: assemblies teach spatial thinking and give students a preview of how printed parts must align in the real world.

Assembly guide (manual crank version)

Estimated hands-on time: 30–45 minutes after parts are printed.

1. Secure ganon_base_v1.stl to a sturdy platform with 4 M3 screws and optional rubber feet (TPU pads).
2. Insert ganon_camshaft_bushing into the base's cam bore. Press-fit ganon_pin_v1 into the cam if used as a pivot.
3. Slide ganon_slider_rail_v1 into the base rails. Ensure it moves freely but without wobble.
4. Attach ganon_pedestal_v1 to the slider using the pin. The pedestal should translate up and down smoothly inside the guide.
5. Install ganon_cam_v1 onto the camshaft bushing and secure with an M3 screw and ganon_screw_caps.stl. Attach ganon_crank_handle.stl to the cam's outer hub for manual rotation.
6. Test: rotate the cam slowly and observe the pedestal rise. If there is binding, check alignment with the tooling jig and sand minor contact points.

Assembly guide (servo-automated version)

Estimated hands-on time: 45–75 minutes; recommended for older students or guided after a safety briefing.

1. Follow steps 1–4 of the manual guide, but instead of the crank, mount ganon_servo_mount_v1 to the base using the designated M2 screws or double-sided tape.
2. Attach the SG90 microservo to the mount and couple its spline to ganon_gearing_adaptor.stl. Secure with a small screw or epoxy for non-removable setups.
3. Wire the servo to a microcontroller: micro:bit is classroom-friendly, or a USB-powered Arduino Nano for clubs with coding experience. Use PWM to sweep the servo between 0° and 90° to replicate the rise and fall.
4. Program a simple control: slow ramp up (1–2 seconds) to raise, 1 second pause at top, then ramp down. Add a button input for student-triggered action.
5. Important: keep low-voltage wiring tidy and away from moving parts — use zip ties and protective channels.

Hardware & consumables checklist

• 3D printer (Anycubic Vyper / Kobra Go or Creality Ender 3 S1 / K1 Mini)
• PLA (1–2 rolls) and PETG (0.5 roll for cams)
• M3 x 10 mm screws (x6), M2 x 6 mm screws for servo mount (x4)
• 5 mm steel rods or printed ganon_pin_v1 (x2)
• Small SG90 microservo (optional), microcontroller (micro:bit/Arduino) optional
• Sandpaper, flush cutters, hot glue or epoxy (for final fixes)

Print farm tips for clubs and classrooms

To scale this as a one-week project for 20 students, run a mini print farm. Use three or four identical printers to print batches overnight. Group students into teams: CAD, print prep/slicer, finishing/assembly, and testing. Keep a spare set of printed critical parts (cams, pins) for last-minute fixes. For pop-up demos and market nights, consider the bargain seller’s toolkit for battery and edge gear.

Safety & supervision (non-negotiable)

3D printing is fun but has safety considerations. Implement these rules before starting any print session.

• Supervise all prints. Students under 16 should not be left alone with hot printers. Assign a trained adult operator.
• Ventilation: Ensure good room ventilation — especially when printing PETG or specialty filaments.
• Thermal hazards: Nozzle and bed reach 200–240°C and 60–80°C respectively. Use tool-blocking or clear signage to prevent burns.
• Electrical safety: Keep wiring tidy. Use certified power strips and avoid overloaded circuits.
• Fire safety: Have a Class C (electronics) fire extinguisher accessible and follow your school's emergency protocol.
• PPE: Safety glasses for finishing steps, dust mask for sanding, and gloves for epoxy use.
• Intellectual property: This project is a fan-made mechanical homage to LEGO’s rising figure. Do not sell builds as official LEGO parts or claim any affiliation.

Assessment & learning outcomes

Use a short rubric to grade student learning rather than aesthetic perfection. Suggested criteria:

• CAD competency: created or modified a part and explained a key dimension (30%)
• Mechanical function: lift rises smoothly and repeats reliably (30%)
• Teamwork & documentation: README + photo and print log (20%)
• Safety & maintenance: following safety checklist and cleanup (20%)

Troubleshooting quick guide

• If the pedestal binds: check for over-extrusion or warped parts; sand or reprint with 0.2 mm extra clearance.
• Cam slips on shaft: increase infill of cam to 30% or add a grub screw; consider using a metal rod for the camshaft.
• Servo jitter: stabilize power supply and add a simple capacitor across Vcc/GND if noise is suspected.
• Poor bed adhesion: use glue stick, blue painter's tape, or a thin brim (3–5 mm).

Classroom case study: 7th grade maker club

At an urban middle school in late 2025, a seven-session maker club used this modular approach to produce a Ganondorf-style lift for the school game night. The teacher ran the CAD lessons in the first two sessions, set up a three-printer farm for overnight prints, and used the final two meetings for assembly and testing. Students who started nervous about CAD ended up editing cam offsets to experiment with different lift heights — a clear sign of deep learning. Administrators reported higher participation in STEM clubs after a public demo night and pop-up showcase.

Advanced extension ideas (for older students)

• Integrate sensors: use a distance sensor to auto-lift when someone approaches.
• Light & sound: add LEDs and a piezo buzzer to recreate dramatic effect when the figure rises.
• Parametric design challenge: students write a script (OpenSCAD) to auto-generate cams with specified stroke and profile.
• Material science lesson: compare PLA vs PETG wear on the cam over 1,000 cycles.

"Low-cost printers in schools (Anycubic and Creality) make hands-on engineering accessible — pair that hardware with clear STL files and short CAD lessons, and you get rapid, meaningful learning."

2026 trends to leverage

• Increased availability of affordable printers in classrooms due to supply stabilization and lower prices in marketplaces (late 2024–2026).
• Growth of cloud-based CAD education tools (Onshape for Education, classroom-ready TinkerCAD curriculum packs).
• Standardization of microcontroller kits for schools (micro:bit + servo bundles) that simplify electronics integration.

Final checklist before you hit print

1. Review safety checklist and assign adult supervisors.
2. Download and verify all STL files; run a quick mesh check in your slicer.
3. Choose PLA for beginner runs; shift to PETG for cams if durability is required.
4. Prepare hardware pack: screws, pins, servos, and spare parts.
5. Schedule prints across available machines; use the tooling jig to speed alignment during assembly.

Actionable takeaways

• Start small: print one cam, one pedestal, and one base to test clearances before committing to a full class run.
• Use the manual crank for younger students; add the servo module as an advanced extension.
• Host STL files in a central classroom repository and label versions clearly (v1, v2) to avoid confusion.
• Document prints (filament type, slicer profile, time) so future classes iterate faster.

Call-to-action

Ready to bring the Ganondorf lift to your club or classroom? Download the full STL pack, CAD lesson slides, and printer profiles from our resource hub, print a test cam tonight, and run your first demo by next week. Need a classroom-ready lesson plan or a teacher walkthrough video? Sign up for our educator pack and get printable worksheets, safety posters, and a starter slicer profile optimized for Anycubic and Creality printers in 2026.

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