[GBC] Akiyuki Ball Factory

[Berthil]

@Fyredog nice work!

I'm converting this FlipSwitch to a Ball Factory (BF) feed module. I plan to run the BF for a week at the upcoming LEGO World in Utrecht.
https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-225753/Berthil/flipswitch-gbc/

A timed gate (by the BF) should let through two balls for the BF, excess of balls should go around the BF. There will be a switch to let all balls go around the BF when there are problems with it. I've done a few changes to BF, I'll document them when the feed module is ready. In winter I might update the building instruction.

 

[Fyredog]

Here is what I came up with to deal with the jamming of the balls in the spiral lift input box.  Initial tests are good.

 

This version ended up failing so a complete redesign (Photo below) widening the box by 1 stud and added 2 studs to the length.  Much better performance, and recycles any overages that are pushed to the front of the box.

 

New Box - Good constant feed.  I had added an agitator to a few other try's, but this one does not need it. 

 

Edited August 12 by Fyredog

[Fyredog]

I have dealt with many issues in the fine tuning stages.  Some of them because I was not familiar enough with this module, and some of them just needed to be methodically worked through.  I am now comfortable with where I'm at and time for time trials.  Main issues I had were bucket shifter, bucket emptier, Input box to spiral lift (jamming), picker,  lifter and Bob.  The bucket shifter was not returning all the way and was erratic (side to side movement).  I rebuilt that and is now smooth and has full movement in both directions. I had a lot of issues with the bucket emptier and buckets turning on their sides and jamming.  I played with timing quite a bit trying to solve this.  I finally determined that the bucket needed more room when being returned back to the slide table. I removed one of the Connectors and replaced it with a 1x4 thin arm and a bush.  This allowed the bucket to be placed flat. Next I had issues with the bucket lifter.  The buckets would not lift and remove from the wheel.  For the life of me I wasn't understanding why until I kneeled down and noticed the ridge of the bottom of the bucket wasn't clearing. I felt pretty dumb at that moment and adjusted the amplitude and that solved that issue.  Next issue was Bob.  Bob had a lot of binding which I finally found that the red rubber band was causing.  I tried running with out the band but Bob is pretty wild without it.  I changed to a blue band, and that took most of the binding out. and Bob is now tame and smooth.  The ball picker seemed to be dropping balls on its way over to the buckets to be dropped off.  Anyone who has a Ball factory knows what happens if those balls are not moved!  I determined that the white band was not giving enough tension.  So I took a smaller white band and rebuilt the picker.  That was my last short test this morning.  The input box for the spiral list was my first and almost my last issue to work through.  I posted a picture of my solution above.  I also feel like the input box needs an agitator.  I may try and tackle that before my show.  It is now time for time trial testing, which will involve me making a return ramp so I can let it self feed.  My BF does have some slight binding with Bob and I believe the wheel.  I may or may not work that out of it.  It doesn't effect the operation of the module at all other than Berthil's doesn't seem to bind at all.  If it bothers me enough I will spend the time working it out.

@Berthil  I commend you for what you did on this redesign  I know it could not have been easy.  Although I have not built V2 BF (yet) I see the similarities and I see everything that you worked through, and all the improvements you made to solve certain problems.  I also see where you made it so it could be tuned and timed.  There were a few steps in the instructions that I had to just figure it out because the view and angle just wasn't there.  But I appreciate that because it made me think about it and work through it making it a more challenging build. I like that you can roll this thing around and have all the timing points that you documented very well in place.  It makes it easier to work through any issues that may arise.  This build was and is not easy, especially fine tuning it.  It is VERY satisfying and very fun to watch.  Thank you for the time you put in to creating instructions for those of us who love this module. I am looking forward to sharing it to the public and running it at a show next month.  I now feel like I know this module very well, and can determine what and why something happens.    Thank you again for your time you put into the instructions.  If you do decide to update the building instructions, I have a few things to suggest, hopefully I can remember.

 

I am looking forward to seeing your newest changes to the BF and the new feeder system.

 

 

Edited August 12 by Fyredog

[Berthil]

@Fyredog Thank you for your kind words and happy to read it brings challenges and satisfaction :)

Problem is that I can't update the original instructions without starting from scratch because Studio messes up all the steps after a change, a tremendous task. With the open wall sides the spiral lift works well for me but it can't handle a lot of balls at once well. I don't use the rubber band anymore on Bob because I run the BF at position three on the train controller at shows, not faster.

I've made screen shots of the changes I made, these were tested in a 2h run without problems. Majority for less friction and keep parts in place at prolonged operation. Description below the image (click for a larger version on Flickr), parts involved are highlighted in the images.

 

1. Less friction and lock for the 8t gear for the ball pusher via a 4 x 2 liftarm (32140).
2. This will push the bucket on the Wheel back in place when Bob did not place it right. I've used a short 3mm yellow rigid hose but a 3L yellow bar should also work.
3. At what makes Bob turn, two of the new 3386 parts (Brick, Round 1 x 1 x 2/3 Half Circle Extended with Stud on Side) and a 2 x 4 plate (instead of the 2 x 3 plate) to secure part 6192 (Slope, Curved 2 x 4 Double with Groove).
4. Extra guides for the Bucket Lifter with 1 x 3 thin liftarms, sometimes it would not drop.
5. Connector to keep the Bucket Emptier a little bit higher, sometimes it would not slide because of interference.
6. Extra force to keep the connection in place, sometimes the 32L would pull out of the connector.
7. Extra brace for Bob.
8. Brace for the second bucket belt, sometimes this would come up.
9. Extra connectors for the Ball Picker, sometimes this would come loose
10. Extra support for the axle end to keep the 12t gear in place and reduce friction. The new part 5713 (Technic, Axle and Pin Connector Hub with 3L Axle) is used here.

Enjoy!

Edited July 28 by Berthil
typos

[Fyredog]

1 hour ago, Berthil said:

@Fyredog Thank you for your kind words and happy to read it brings challenges and satisfaction :)

Problem is that I can't update the original instructions without starting from scratch because Studio messes up all the steps after a change, a tremendous task. With the open wall sides the spiral lift works well for me but it can't handle a lot of balls at once well. I don't use the rubber band anymore on Bob because I run the BF at position three on the train controller at shows, not faster.

I've made screen shots of the changes I made, these were tested in a 2h run without problems. Majority for less friction and keep parts in place at prolonged operation. Description below the image (click for a larger version on Flickr), parts involved are highlighted in the images.

 

1. Less friction and lock for the 8t gear for the ball pusher via a 4 x 2 liftarm (32140).
2. This will push the bucket on the Wheel back in place when Bob did not place it right. I've used a short 3mm yellow rigid hose but a 3L yellow bar should also work.
3. At what makes Bob turn, two of the new 3386 parts (Brick, Round 1 x 1 x 2/3 Half Circle Extended with Stud on Side) and a 2 x 4 plate (instead of the 2 x 3 plate) to secure part 6192 (Slope, Curved 2 x 4 Double with Groove).
4. Extra guides for the Bucket Lifter with 1 x 3 thin liftarms, sometimes it would not drop.
5. Connector to keep the Bucket Emptier a little but higher, sometimes it would not slide because of interference.
6. Extra force to keep the connection in place, sometimes the 32L would pull out of the connector.
7. Extra brace for Bob.
8. Brace for the second bucket belt, sometimes this would come up.
9. Extra connectors for the Ball Picker, sometimes this would come loose
10. Extra support for the axle end to keep the 12t gear in place and reduce friction. Part 2853 (Technic Engine Cranckshaft) is used here, as wel as new part 5713 (Technic, Axle and Pin Connector Hub with 3L Axle).

Enjoy!

@Berthil - Thank you for this!

These I will apply to mine - I really appreciate the incite.

I cant help but notice in 3,6 & 7 the blue gear on Bob's mechanism.  Can you expand on that please?

#4 is also an area I was having issues with the same thing.

I did the same thing on #5

#10 - I'm having a hard time seeing where Part 2853 (Technic Engine Cranckshaft) is placed.

Edited July 28 by Fyredog

[Berthil]

Generally the blue 12t gears have less friction than the beveled 12t gears. But for esthetics I've kept the black beveled gears in my physical build and it runs fine.

[Fyredog]

36 minutes ago, Berthil said:

Generally the blue 12t gears have less friction than the beveled 12t gears. But for esthetics I've kept the black beveled gears in my physical build and it runs fine.

Gotcha on the blue gear.

 

#10 - I'm having a hard time seeing where Part 2853 (Technic Engine Cranckshaft) is placed.  I was probably editing while you were replying...LOL

[Berthil]

Correct, I had updated the image but not the text, found a solution without the crank shaft.

[Fyredog]

7 minutes ago, Berthil said:

Correct, I had updated the image but not the text, found a solution without the crank shaft.

Excellent!

I also found that setting 3 on train controller is the comfortable speed for this module.  I am going to make the controller only go to speed 3 and unable to reverse.

 

Thank you again for your help!

[tismabrick]

@BerthilInstead of completely rework the instruction would it be a solution to only do side instructions of the things you improved?

For me it‘s nearly impossible to see from the image and text was has changed.

Edited July 29 by tismabrick

[Fyredog]

Here is a small mod I did to help support the back and forth movement of the Bucket Picker.  I think it could be built into the Bucket Emptier tower for more support, but so far seems to be holding up just fine.

BEFORE:

 

AFTER:

 

 

Here are the support pieces assembly - easily added to the bottom of the Bucket Emptier Tower:

Edited July 29 by Fyredog

[Berthil]

7 minutes ago, Fyredog said:

Here is a small mod I did to help support the back and forth movement of the Bucket Picker

Good suggestion! Always better to support axles on both sides. I like it when such things are mechanically locked so I will look into it and may be try to mechanically lock the axle end and add it to the list of improvements.

 

45 minutes ago, tismabrick said:

Instead of completely rework the instruction would it be a solution to only do side instructions of the things you improved?

Also a good suggestion. I'll run all the mods during two upcoming shows and try to make instructions during fall/winter.

[Fyredog]

Here is my first run with balls, I have done most of the improvements suggested by @Berthil.  It looks like I need to work on bucket placement by Bob.  I did have a jam because of the buckets not being in place on the previous video which I did not post.

 

 

[Berthil]

Nice exit ramp instead of the 3mm hoses! And nice coverup of the 40t gear in the front. I see a jerky movement in the first small belt after the bucket lifter, and also the 2nd belt but less. It seems you have friction somewhere but I see the two universal joints to the first belt are not aligned so that is good. Check why that belt is not moving smoothly as it also may be the cause of other problems, everything is linked (spoiler  )

Edited July 30 by Berthil
typos

[Fyredog]

Hi Berthil,

Your right, seems the bucket shifter pushrod has some push back on both sides of that motion.  I will address that as that would alleviate some momentary binding.  Stay tuned for some more refining and tuning.  I adjusted Bob a bit, He's now serving buckets back to the wheel pretty smoothly.  Seems once you get things just right, this module really comes to life.  

Edited July 31 by Fyredog

[Fyredog]

Another small mod I did was to change the #3 axle for a #4 axle to give support on both sides in the sub-assembly step #1. the other end of the axle would slide into the hole that the arrow is pointing to.

 

 

[Fyredog]

Another little mod to be able to adjust the amplitude in either direction on bucket shifter in/out motion.

 

[Fyredog]

Here is a simple support added easily.  I plan to add additional support later after the show next week.

1x5 lift arm added.  It helps a lot with keeping the 40t gear from moving around so much.

 

 

[Berthil]

@Fyredog good idea! I''ll do the same but shift the 5L liftarm one hole up and use an axle pin and 3L pin with stop bush to give it a bit more rigidity.

[Fyredog]

3 hours ago, Berthil said:

@Fyredog good idea! I''ll do the same but shift the 5L liftarm one hole up and use an axle pin and 3L pin with stop bush to give it a bit more rigidity.

Taking your idea and adding a 3x5 lift arm - nice sturdy support.

 

[Fyredog]

Here is the final testing video.  I will have this on display at Brickslopes Utah next week.  

 

 

[Berthil]

@Fyredog I really like the return and exit, nice job! Enjoy the show!

[Fyredog]

2 hours ago, Berthil said:

@Fyredog I really like the return and exit, nice job! Enjoy the show!

@Berthil Thank you sir, I appreciate the compliment.

[9v system]

10 hours ago, Fyredog said:

Here is the final testing video.  I will have this on display at Brickslopes Utah next week.  

 

 

looking good, i see you added the extra stud gap at the spiral lift like i did with mine, its a fairly reliable module once set. did you do the timing change for the bucket placer? 

[Fyredog]

12 hours ago, 9v system said:

looking good, i see you added the extra stud gap at the spiral lift like i did with mine, its a fairly reliable module once set. did you do the timing change for the bucket placer? 

@9v system Thank you, Not sure what you mean by timing change for the bucket placer?  What does this timing change do exactly?