BBC: Big Beautiful Counter

Inspired from some perpetual calender models. (https://makerworld.com/fr/models/115260-date-keeper-perpetual-flip-calendar)

Finally i found a way to make a compact counter with big figures, with a reliable mechanics (gravity never fails).

Just push by half a turn to increase the number. Works backwards too.

You can use it to count your knitting rows: very usefull!

normal size

Print in 0.2 mm layers, 0.4 noozle. Sliced with Arachne.  I’ve used Bambu PETG HF for my prints, not tried PLA, but it should work the same.

For the figures: start black, switch to white after 0.6 mm, back to black for the last 0.6mm. Print the figures with 100% infill, so they are heavier.

[edit] Or do as https://www.printables.com/@Dale_3160795 in his make, just use a sharpie to make them black, if the case is made in a light color.

[edit 2025-11-09: i have removed one of the files cause the box was an older version not sagging-proof. Use only the counter02-box.stl file for the box, which is correct. If you have used the previous version, you may experience the figures getting stuck some times. Reprint the box or file the sagged inner bar a little bit to solve the problem)]

smaller size

I recommand the ‘normal size’ because the user experience is better. However, you may need smaller models if you want to print and store many counters, for a game for instance. So here are some advices.

If you scale down, scale the layer height too. Example 60% and 0.12mm layer (I’ve tried: works, but may need a bit of filing the hole for smooth movement). 

I have added 3 files, labeled "-0.12.stl" that specially tuned to print well with 0.12 mm layers, and the model is already 60% smaller. Less fragile than the direct scaling,  very cute. The mechanism is however not as smooth as the bigger model (figures are less heavy) and any string must be carefully removed or filed. Edit: had to replace the box by box-v2 to make the central bar a bit thinner.

Assembly instructions: see video 

2 numbers

1 number

Other thoughts:

Took me quite some time to manage the rest position to be tilted upwards and somewhat ‘sticky’ (the box wants to stay there). No spring, purely based on gravity and shapes.

The bridging part of the numbers may look less nice because og the bridging. Following the advice of a recent video  (https://youtu.be/xQBLv3cPUbo?si=lPgo0rR0yqoCzXzZ) I have increased the bridge layer flow by x1.3 and the surface looks indeed better. [edit 2025•11•17]: the best for bridges seems to be flow x 1.5 and speed 10mm/s.

Happy printing!

And as always: PLEASE download, like, comment, post your makes. It is a real pleasure to see your prints!