Spiral Fidget Toy - Vortex Passthrough

Get ready to relive your childhood dreams with this super fun, kinetic spiral toy!

This updated version of the classic Stackable Impossible Passthrough adds an exciting new twist - you can now place a spring (like one from a ballpoint pen) inside, allowing the ball to launch upward when compressed and released. Watch it twist, spin, and fly through the interlocking spiral elements - endless hours of mesmerizing play!

The model has improved grips and tighter fitting parts for smoother handling, making it even more satisfying to play with. Stack, twist, and launch - this is not just a fidget toy, it’s a mini kinetic sculpture brought to life.

Whether you’re a puzzle lover, a fidget enthusiast, or just someone who loves cool, hands-on toys, this is guaranteed to impress. Fun, dynamic, and endlessly entertaining - a small piece of childhood magic you can hold in your hands!

Print & Assembly Instructions

• Print all parts of the model: 0.10-0.15 mm layer height, 2 perimeters, 15% infill.

• Attach a spring (e.g., from a ballpoint pen) to the Bottom Plug using super glue or tape. You can also connect multiple springs by screwing them into each other to increase the launch distance.

• Connect the Bottom Plug with the Spiral element.

• If you printed multiple Spiral pieces, stack and connect them now.

• Insert the Ball into the center.

And you’re ready to play!

If you want, you can even scale this project up to 300-400%, and the ball will still move smoothly. The only thing to keep in mind is that you’ll need a much stronger spring for larger sizes :)

Troubleshooting Tips

If you experience printing issues - for example, if the ball does not move freely through the upper part of the spiral - try the following adjustments:

• Set the layer height to a maximum of 0.15 mm (recommended range: 0.10-0.15 mm layer height).

• Increase the print cooling fan to 100%.

• Slightly reduce the print speed (for example, from 100% down to 90%).

• Increase the Z-hop height (for example, to 3-4 mm) to prevent the nozzle from hitting the model while traveling.

• Supports are required for this model. Organic (tree) supports are highly recommended for best results.

With the above settings, the model prints reliably on a Prusa Core One+ using Sunlu PETG (230°C nozzle / 70°C bed).

Additional Troubleshooting

If you notice that around 3/4 of the print height the nozzle starts catching or slightly pulling the spiral legs, this is a sign that the model may not print perfectly straight. In some cases, it may even detach from the build plate. If this occurs, the ball will likely get stuck around three-quarters of the spiral’s height.

To prevent this, I personally reduce the print speed to 90% during the print and increase the cooling fan to 100%. This helps the spiral legs remain more rigid and reduces flexing when the nozzle travels across the model.

Supports are required for reliable results. In PrusaSlicer, use Organic (Tree) supports and make sure they are positioned in a way that supports the six spiral legs - not only the top section of the model. Properly placed supports significantly improve stability during printing.

Additionally, I reduced the layer height from 0.20 mm to 0.15 mm, which noticeably improved print accuracy and overall smoothness of the spiral channel.

You may also encounter a situation where two individual spiral sections work perfectly on their own, but once connected together, the ball gets stuck at the joint. In my case, this happened when the spiral sections were printed at 0.15 mm layer height, while the ball was printed at 0.20 mm. For best results, print all interacting parts using the same layer height.

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Below, I’ve attached screenshots of some of my print settings - they may be helpful as a reference. I’m still relatively new to 3D printing myself, so there is definitely room for further optimization, but these settings worked reliably for me.

Look for the orange lock icons - those indicate the parameters I changed from the default profile.

Filament used: Sunlu PETG (230°C nozzle / 70°C bed).

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Print Settings >> Layers and perimeters:

Print Settings >> Support material:

Filaments >> Filament:

Preview of the project ready for printing with supports enabled:

Photos and inspiration for the toy come from Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRWSt42gj-p/
https://www.instagram.com/p/DTb6nT1CJ-f/