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Hey Steve et all...
I think it's about time you lobby for a GBC group on Lugnet.
I have been searching old posts, and checking out web sites... because after a
few failed attempts at GBC I thought I would get some divine inspiration from
the experts.
I know that this sort of thing is old hat to you all.
Infact, I can recall a bunch of "seasoned" bot builders laughing at me worrying
about touching their bots, or when I saw my first "plastic dust". Don't get me
wrong, moving MOCs are beyond cool, but up until this moment, my bricks have
been fairly safe from damage.(1)
Last night, I had a GBC BREAK THRU... the gravity stuff is a piece of cake, but
as you know, getting the balls up is quiet a trick, at least for some of us.
Anyhow, I thought I would share my "modding" moment with you...
I was working away on a ball pump... I thought all was well... until I heard
this terrible grinding noise, and a huge crack, snap, POP! (Again, I know, for
you all, this is nothing new... but for me, the sound of bricks being
"killed" was heartbreaking. The whole pump exploded, and aside from literally
spraying balls around the dining room (found one in the kitchen as well) I ended
up in a few very sad "bricks". One twisted axle, one broken 24 tooth gear...
and the worst part... one dead vintage motor.
I guess this is the price of playing with the big boys.
Oh well, off to Bricklink, then back to the drawing board for me.
Janey "Red Brick"
1. Aside from that terrible 2 by 4 red brick incident.
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In lugnet.org.us.laflrc, C. L. GunningCook wrote:
> Hey Steve et all...
>
> I think it's about time you lobby for a GBC group on Lugnet.
>
> I have been searching old posts, and checking out web sites... because after a
> few failed attempts at GBC I thought I would get some divine inspiration from
> the experts.
>
> I know that this sort of thing is old hat to you all.
>
> Infact, I can recall a bunch of "seasoned" bot builders laughing at me worrying
> about touching their bots, or when I saw my first "plastic dust". Don't get me
> wrong, moving MOCs are beyond cool, but up until this moment, my bricks have
> been fairly safe from damage.(1)
>
> Last night, I had a GBC BREAK THRU... the gravity stuff is a piece of cake, but
> as you know, getting the balls up is quiet a trick, at least for some of us.
> Anyhow, I thought I would share my "modding" moment with you...
>
> I was working away on a ball pump... I thought all was well... until I heard
> this terrible grinding noise, and a huge crack, snap, POP! (Again, I know, for
> you all, this is nothing new... but for me, the sound of bricks being
> "killed" was heartbreaking. The whole pump exploded, and aside from literally
> spraying balls around the dining room (found one in the kitchen as well) I ended
> up in a few very sad "bricks". One twisted axle, one broken 24 tooth gear...
> and the worst part... one dead vintage motor.
>
> I guess this is the price of playing with the big boys.
>
> Oh well, off to Bricklink, then back to the drawing board for me.
>
> Janey "Red Brick"
>
> 1. Aside from that terrible 2 by 4 red brick incident.
Since its you posting, I feel I ought to make some comment about ball pumps etc
;)
But I shall refrain.
Yes, the design of these wonderful constructions, GBC modules, do have to be
approached with a certain amount of care. Despite the inherent roundness of
balls, they have a truely astonishing ability to jam. The odd brokem brick, axle
or gear is one thing, but I am surprised to hear you managed to damage a motor.
Most Lego motors can sustain an almost permanent stall without ill effect. Does
it just not operate anymore, or did you snap the shaft off?
I have been inclined to use the white torque limiting gear to avoid serious
damage myself. I would recommend that to anyone who is experimenting with any
kind of ball handling device (pump, screw, or conveyor).
I also sometimes use "sacrificial" UJs in the drive from the motor too. They
used to be quite cheap from Pitsco, don't know if they still are. You can also
use a pulley and rubber-band drive as an option. It has the advantage of
introducing some elasticity into the drive train. That can be good if the
mechanism comes to an abrupt stop. (I have had a suspicion for a while that
although the actual torque from the technic gear motor is limited, the motor has
a modestly heavy flywheel and thus if the motor is suddenly stopped while at
full speed, the intertial load on its internal gear train may well cause it to
sustain damage.)
Enjoy playing with your balls!
JB
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In lugnet.org.us.laflrc, C. L. GunningCook wrote:
> The whole pump exploded, and aside from literally
> spraying balls around the dining room (found one in the kitchen as well) I ended
> up in a few very sad "bricks". One twisted axle, one broken 24 tooth gear...
> and the worst part... one dead vintage motor.
Janey - don't feel too bad...we have all been there. Though I would say Steve
has had to bear the most aingst about those little soccer balls. You had to be
in his dining room to see the look on his face when my GBC module kept firing
the cute little balls into his big plate windows...He threatened a change to the
GBC spec to limit the velocity of the balls if I didn't do something to tame my
module :)
As for finding balls around the room...get used to it...At one time I tried to
keep a count of balls and find the strays when I was done playing...then I was
one short, then another, then another...and that was that...I think they are
under the bar or the refrigerator :)
Everyone please...a moment of silence for Janey's loss...
Bryan
aka - GBC Slave
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In lugnet.org.us.laflrc, John Barnes wrote:
> Since its you posting, I feel I ought to make some comment about ball pumps etc
> ;)
>
> But I shall refrain.
Awww.
> but I am surprised to hear you managed to damage a motor.
> Most Lego motors can sustain an almost permanent stall without ill effect. Does
> it just not operate anymore, or did you snap the shaft off?
Well it's sort of strange, it still runs, but its very slow, like its being
powered by almost dead batteries (and no, the batteries are fine, the other
motors work the same as always)
> I have been inclined to use the white torque limiting gear to avoid serious
> damage myself. I would recommend that to anyone who is experimenting with any
> kind of ball handling device (pump, screw, or conveyor).
Yes, this is an option I should have thought of.
> I also sometimes use "sacrificial" UJs in the drive from the motor too.
Ummmm sorry John, you lost me here...UJ? Universal Joints? Please "dumb" this
down, and type slower for us that arent so used to the lingo, wink.
> They
> used to be quite cheap from Pitsco, don't know if they still are. You can also
> use a pulley and rubber-band drive as an option.
Ross suggested this to me as well. I must say, anytime I have done that, I get
too much slippage even when there isn't much of a reason for it, I am sure there
are "better" setups than I am using.
Anyone have a reference???
> Enjoy playing with your balls!
Smile.
Janey "Red Brick"
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In lugnet.org.us.laflrc, Bryan Bonahoom wrote:
> In lugnet.org.us.laflrc, C. L. GunningCook wrote:
> Janey - don't feel too bad...we have all been there.
Thanks Brian.
> Though I would say Steve
> has had to bear the most aingst about those little soccer balls. You had to be
> in his dining room to see the look on his face when my GBC module kept firing
> the cute little balls into his big plate windows...He threatened a change to the
> GBC spec to limit the velocity of the balls if I didn't do something to tame my
> module :)
I actually was too embarrassed my first post to mention I took one to the eye.
Holy that hurt... I'm a shooter, I have learned not to look down a barrel, you
would think that I had a bit more common sense. But I swear, that ball pump
looked harmless, all "plasticy" and primary coloured... I had NO idea it was
like looking down the barrel of a loaded weapon.
> Everyone please...a moment of silence for Janey's loss...
Aww, how touching.
> Bryan
> aka - GBC Slave
GBC Slave is better than being Steve's Slave, wink.
Janey "Red Brick"
aka - Your pump sucks!
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In lugnet.org.us.laflrc, C. L. GunningCook wrote:
> I think it's about time you lobby for a GBC group on Lugnet.
Why? It's so much more fun to watch GBC talk take place all over LUGNET ;-)
> after a few failed attempts at GBC I thought I would
> get some divine inspiration from the experts.
hehe... you just weren't privy to all the "experts" watching their lifting
devices failing miserably. Trust us, you aren't alone in the discovery that this
is harder than it seems.
> I heard this terrible grinding noise, and a huge crack, snap, POP!
Steve, Bryan, & I recently displayed the GBC in Chicago, and I think I still
heard Bryan's drooling duck make that same sequence of sounds. Not that mine
were working perfectly either - I did a slight modification to my most reliable
module, and... well, let's just say Steve handed my pieces of it later, after
many a jam.
> one dead vintage motor.
Ouch. Sorry, Janey.
--
Brian Davis
aka the other GBC slave...
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In lugnet.org.us.laflrc, Brian Davis wrote:
> In lugnet.org.us.laflrc, C. L. GunningCook wrote:
>
> > I think it's about time you lobby for a GBC group on Lugnet.
>
> Why? It's so much more fun to watch GBC talk take place all over LUGNET ;-)
Good point, but I wasnt sure where to post my sad story, so I figured I would
pick on .laflrc!
> > after a few failed attempts at GBC I thought I would
> > get some divine inspiration from the experts.
>
> hehe... you just weren't privy to all the "experts" watching their lifting
> devices failing miserably. Trust us, you aren't alone in the discovery that this
> is harder than it seems.
Yes, without a doubt, my appreciation is up 10 fold.
> > I heard this terrible grinding noise, and a huge crack, snap, POP!
>
> Steve, Bryan, & I recently displayed the GBC in Chicago, and I think I still
> heard Bryan's drooling duck make that same sequence of sounds.
Oh nooooo.
> Not that mine
> were working perfectly either - I did a slight modification to my most reliable
> module, and... well, let's just say Steve handed my pieces of it later, after
> many a jam.
Oops... giggle. That sucks but I totally get it. Its funny, so many of them look
"simple" but man o man... very fickle little brats.
> > one dead vintage motor.
>
> Ouch. Sorry, Janey.
OH well, easy come, easy go...
Cheers,
Janey "Red Brick"
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On Tue, November 29, 2005 8:12 pm, Janey Cook wrote:
> I think it's about time you lobby for a GBC group on Lugnet.
>
> I have been searching old posts, and checking out web sites... because after a
> few failed attempts at GBC I thought I would get some divine inspiration from
> the experts.
This place is as good as any to post GBC questions. You could post to the ITlug
forum, but they prefer the posts in Italian. :) I always have to run the page
through google translate, type a reply, and run it back through google translate
before I post. :)
> I know that this sort of thing is old hat to you all.
Building them may be, but the stories never get old. We all love hearing about
people building GBCs. I must say, your post really had me laughing. Especially,
hearing about you "looking down the barrel of a gun". I'm very glad you're OK, even
if you did lose a few LEGO parts.
> Last night, I had a GBC BREAK THRU...
At first, I thought that was good...
> the gravity stuff is a piece of cake, but
> as you know, getting the balls up is quiet a trick, at least for some of us.
It's quite a trick for all of us. As the other guys have said, you just don't get
to see our earlier attempts.
> I was working away on a ball pump... I thought all was well... until I heard
> this terrible grinding noise, and a huge crack, snap, POP!
The really scarry thing is when this happens, and you look at your module, and it
still looks like it's working...
> (Again, I know, for
> you all, this is nothing new... but for me, the sound of bricks being
> "killed" was heartbreaking.
Especially after several hours of careful building, when you discover it just won't
work.
> The whole pump exploded, and aside from literally
> spraying balls around the dining room (found one in the kitchen as well) I ended
> up in a few very sad "bricks". One twisted axle, one broken 24 tooth gear...
> and the worst part... one dead vintage motor.
I haven't set-up a GBC in my house for a while, but every few days, my 3 yr old son
comes up and says, "Daddy. Soccer ball." :)
> I guess this is the price of playing with the big boys.
:)
I have a small drawer full of broken parts, but I'm sure I have much less scrap than
most sheet-metal robot builders.
If you go to the GBC page, there are links to many pictures. I need to add more
links. About the best documented place to see GBC modules is Philo's page.
If there's something you can't seem to solve, feel free to post here and ask about it.
Good luck, and Please keep us posted.
Steve
GBC Coordinator?
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In lugnet.org.us.laflrc, C. L. GunningCook wrote:
> In lugnet.org.us.laflrc, Brian Davis wrote:
> > In lugnet.org.us.laflrc, C. L. GunningCook wrote:
> >
> > > I think it's about time you lobby for a GBC group on Lugnet.
> >
> > Why? It's so much more fun to watch GBC talk take place all over LUGNET ;-)
>
> Good point, but I wasnt sure where to post my sad story, so I figured I would
> pick on .laflrc!
Why not .parlugment or .rtltoronto? :)
Keith
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In lugnet.org.us.laflrc, Brian Davis wrote:
> > after a few failed attempts at GBC I thought I would
> > get some divine inspiration from the experts.
>
> hehe... you just weren't privy to all the "experts" watching their lifting
> devices failing miserably. Trust us, you aren't alone in the discovery that this
> is harder than it seems.
What are you lot talking about. After seeing Daves GBC mods at the hobby show,
I went home, and built a perfect ball pump. Its flawless, and VERY strong.
Brick, plate, plate, brick dont ya know.
:)
geesh, GBC need the expertize of ROBOT builders like Steve, not townies and
people who SNOT, and think gravity is a valid building technique.
:)
Chris
PS.
I have a book to trade: http://news.lugnet.com/org/ca/rtltoronto/?n=15301
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In lugnet.org.us.laflrc, Steve Hassenplug wrote:
> On Tue, November 29, 2005 8:12 pm, Janey Cook wrote:
> This place is as good as any to post GBC questions. You could post to the ITlug
> forum, but they prefer the posts in Italian. :) I always have to run the page
> through google translate, type a reply, and run it back through google translate
> before I post. :)
Wow, that sounds like work! Have we met?? I'm Janey, a slacker, nice to meet
you, wink.
> > I know that this sort of thing is old hat to you all.
>
> Building them may be, but the stories never get old. We all love hearing about
> people building GBCs. I must say, your post really had me laughing. Especially,
> hearing about you "looking down the barrel of a gun". I'm very glad you're OK, even
> if you did lose a few LEGO parts.
Yes, Im okay, but I will NEVER do that again, but I'm back on working on a new
design. (To carry on with the gun theme...) I may be wounded but the war of the
GBC has just begun... and I won't stop until I'm victorious, or until they pry a
soccer ball out of my cold "rigor mortising" hand. Wink!
Now, tell me, how do you end up getting two slaves?? I would be happy with just
one, let me in on your secret...Shhhh, no one else is reading, and I wont tell
anyone.
> > Last night, I had a GBC BREAK THRU...
>
> At first, I thought that was good...
Yes, dont all stories start out that way... once upon a time...
> The really scarry thing is when this happens, and you look at your module, and it
> still looks like it's working...
Yes, well sadly misery loves company, so I am happy to know I am not the only
one
else that has "suffered".
> I haven't set-up a GBC in my house for a while, but every few days, my 3 yr old son
> comes up and says, "Daddy. Soccer ball." :)
Hey at least he returns them, my son is pilfering them for his own attempts at
the GBC.
> If you go to the GBC page, there are links to many pictures. I need to add more
> links. About the best documented place to see GBC modules is Philo's page.
Yes, both are great references, and I have clicked away a lot in the last few
days.
> If there's something you can't seem to solve, feel free to post here and ask about it.
> Good luck, and Please keep us posted.
Thanks for the encouragement, and as soon as I get something going, you (the
collective laflrc) will be the first to know.
Cheers,
Janey "Red Brick"
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On Wed, November 30, 2005 12:00 am, Janey Cook wrote:
> In lugnet.org.us.laflrc, Steve Hassenplug wrote:
> > On Tue, November 29, 2005 8:12 pm, Janey Cook wrote:
>
> > ... I always have to run the page
> > through google translate, type a reply, and run it back through google translate
> > before I post. :)
>
> Wow, that sounds like work! Have we met?? I'm Janey, a slacker, nice to meet
> you, wink.
No. If it was work, I'd be doing something else. Like I am now. :)
> Now, tell me, how do you end up getting two slaves?? I would be happy with just
> one, let me in on your secret...Shhhh, no one else is reading, and I wont tell
> anyone.
You know, when you come up with one slightly interesting idea, suddenly people will
line up to be willing slaves.
I wish.
If only I could say they're MY slaves. But, I think it's more accurate to say
they're slaves to the GBC. We've spent the last year pretty much consumed by this
little project, and I'm not sure if it's going to end anytime soon.
> > I haven't set-up a GBC in my house for a while, but every few days, my 3 yr old
> > son
> > comes up and says, "Daddy. Soccer ball." :)
>
> Hey at least he returns them, my son is pilfering them for his own attempts at
> the GBC.
Smart kid. How old was he when you adopted him? :)
If he needs more, just ask. Because, trust me, I've got balls.
> > If you go to the GBC page, there are links to many pictures. I need to add more
> > links. About the best documented place to see GBC modules is Philo's page.
>
> Yes, both are great references, and I have clicked away a lot in the last few
> days.
Here's something else that may be interesting. In October we built a GBC to
incorporate into a train layout. Here are some not-so-good pictures.
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=1443001
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=1443002
Steve
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In lugnet.org.us.laflrc, C. L. GunningCook wrote:
> > I must say, your post really had me laughing. Especially,
> > hearing about you "looking down the barrel of a gun".
I'll second that - the stories are great. I can understand the "gunbarrel"
problem as well. I made a module that used a flexible paddlewheel (to prevent
jamming) to push balls up a curved ramp. Smiling with overconfidence, I turned
it on with my children watching. As the paddle approached the top of the slope,
the rubber band snapped it forward, tossing *all* the balls on it high into the
air (instead of gracefully over the edge into the rest of the module).
Hey, but did I panic? I think not! As the module continued to toss 5-10 bps
three feet into the air, scattering them in all directions including raining
down on the heads of the kids, I lept to my feet to try to catch them... not
shut off the module, which continued to launch balls int the air at a frantic
rate until the 7-year-old in the room had the foresight to actually shut the
module off.
> Now, tell me, how do you end up getting two slaves??
I've got to echo Steve here - we're not *Steves* slaves, we're slaves the the
all-consuming passion that the GBC can become.
--
Brian Davis
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