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In lugnet.robotics, Steve Hassenplug wrote:
> In an attempt to provide Technic & Mindstorms builders the same cooperative
> building opportunity that's available to Moonbase, Castle, and Town/Train
> builders at Brickfest, we present to you: The Great Ball Contraption. • ...
> Keep in mind, that was built by me, and just a couple friends. Imagine the
> madness when AFoLs from all over contribute their modules to one of the greatest
> works of moving LEGO artwork ever assembled...
>
> To learn more, check out the web site:
> http://www.teamhassenplug.org/GBC/
>
> Or if you have questions, feel free to post here.
But wait, there's more...
First, a friend (another Bryan) came over with his module, and then the next
day, we had a club meeting, where our whole LEGO club had modules. After
running Bryan's for a bit, I considered adding a "Maximum ball velocity" to the
Type 1 spec.
Bryan's Amusement park from heck...
... uses an RC buggy motor, spinning a liftarm to 'bat' balls up a slope. Due
to misfires, they didn't always make it up the slope, so he had to help them.
This clip also includes a good shot of the train, traveling point-to-point.
While you can see balls flying all over the place, no children, or windows were
damaged during the making of this video.
http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Hassenplug/GBC/Video/gbc-bryanb.mpg (6mb)
This video brought to you by Sprite. Obey your thurst.
Next, we configured the train to travel in a loop around the table, with all the
modules in the middle. I should note that the train CAN be configured as a
standard module, with 1 input, and 1 output in a straight line.
Luckily, this time, we had plenty of help finding stray balls...
http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Hassenplug/GBC/Video/gbc-loop.mpg (13mb)
Other info on the train: It's controlled by an RCX. Each station has 1 touch
sensor (attached to a wheel) that the train hits when it passes. (
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=1068031 ) In the above video,
the train is traveling at 1/4 speed. After the touch sensor is pressed, the
train stops for 1/2 second, then backs up at 1/8 speed until the touch sensor is
pressed, again. Then, the unloading motor runs, until the "unload" touch sensor
is pressed, at which point, the train dumps. It waits for 1 second, then the
unload motor runs until the touch sensor is not pressed. Then, the train goes
to back to the loading station, where the loading motor runs for 7 seconds. At
that point, the train waits for what's left of 30 seconds, so the whole loop
always takes 30 seconds.
Also shown is a brown pneumatic module, which has a small compressor that runs
continuously, and two cylinder/switch pairs that flip each other.
On Sunday, our whole group got together. Here are some pictures:
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=113135
And a short video. The clicking sound in the background is Bryan's module
shooting balls:
http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Hassenplug/GBC/Video/gbc2short.mpg (2mb)
And, a somewhat detailed video.
http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Hassenplug/GBC/Video/gbcv2.mpg (36mb)
As you can see, there are about 17 modules, built by 10 different builders.
If you want to know more details, feel free to ask,
Steve
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In lugnet.robotics, Steve Hassenplug wrote:
(snip)
> Other info on the train: It's controlled by an RCX.
(snip)
Nevermind the controls, how'd you build the hopper? ;-) I really like your
solution, with the rotating arm that unloads it, creating an auto-reset for the
hopper. I've been frustrated several times trying to build something like this
and would love additional construction details on the hopper car. Where's the
pivot point? How's it mounted?
More photos and etceteras, please!
Rick Clark
FUT lugnet.trains
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Keep up the great work guys! :)
Iain
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> In lugnet.robotics, Steve Hassenplug wrote:
> (snip)
> > Other info on the train: It's controlled by an RCX.
> (snip)
>
> Nevermind the controls, how'd you build the hopper? ;-)
Alright, alright... :)
> I really like your
> solution, with the rotating arm that unloads it, creating an auto-reset for the
> hopper. I've been frustrated several times trying to build something like this
> and would love additional construction details on the hopper car. Where's the
> pivot point? How's it mounted?
>
> More photos and etceteras, please!
I originally planned to have the "dump arm" activate when the train moved
forward/back into the station. But, I found it took too much pressure to get it to
dump. (the train had to be going fast) Not sure if my explaination is clear, but
that's why the car is not symetrical. The black area in the right of this picture:
http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Hassenplug/GBC/Train/p1200048.jpg
was for a 90 degree gear.
As you've seen, I replaced that with an arm that pushes down, putting very little
sideways pressure on the car:
http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Hassenplug/GBC/Train/p1200059.jpg
The pivot is located slightly off center, so when the dump arm isn't pressed, it
falls back to rest on some tiles (on one side)
http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Hassenplug/GBC/Train/p1200055.jpg
I also wanted to keep the pivot low enough, so the top of the hopper would act as a
ramp, and my unloading ramp didn't need to be right against the track:
http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Hassenplug/GBC/Train/p1200052.jpg
Here's another shot of where the pivot is located:
http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Hassenplug/GBC/Train/p1200057.jpg
And it also shows the liftarm use to keep it from dumping too far.
The only problem with this car is the plates on the bottom start to come loose after
extended dumping of soccer balls. Usually, just enough to prevent dumping. But,
it's not a big enough problem to warrant rebuilding. It really takes a while for
them to work loose
Here's all the pictures: (when moderated)
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=111336
This car will hold almost 60 soccer balls.
If that's not enough text or pictures, just ask for more...
Steve
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