Lego Great Ball Contraption (GBC) Modules

[DLuders]

Have you been to a Lego convention and seen the "Rube Goldberg"-type Lego "Great Ball Contraptions" (GBCs) passing a ball around? The devices are built with key Lego Technic pieces. Part of the attraction of Lego Technic is to see the GEARS and MECHANISMS, and these contraptions sure provide that. The website http://greatballcontraption.com/ dares one to dream, "How complicated a way can you transfer Lego soccer balls from basket to another?"

There are these GBC standards that ensure that one AFOL's module can properly interface with another. They are usually built on 32x32 Lego baseplates.

There are lots of ideas on various GBC designs. The sheer variety of possibilities boggle the mind. Here are two of the better GBC videos out there:

[Jetro]

Can't believe there wan't a GBC topic on this forum

We had a nice setup for our last LUG event in December for which I got some help from several sources. Here's a video:

It includes some copies of Philo's excellent GBC models and a couple of modules I'm particularly proud off, like the 100% pneumatic excavator (fully pneumatic logic sequential control):

and a NXT controlled train module (NXT on-board):

Anyone else here build GBC modules?

[DLuders]

Wow, Jetro, your GBC modules are fantastic! In your videos, I could see how elaborate the Hispabrick 2009 GBC was! They were at least twice as big and 3 times as complex as the GBCs I've seen at the two BrickFests and one BrickCon conventions I've been to in the Pacific Northwest USA).

I did notice that youngsters were absolutely FASCINATED by the various TECHNIC and MINDSTORMS contraptions -- they would gaze at them for 15 minutes. If there's any sure-fire way of attracting "the next generation" of Technic builders, it's the Great Ball Contraption.

I am downloading the Hispabrick Magazine 007 ( http://www.hispabrickmagazine.com/ ) that is referenced at the end of your second video, to find out more about the construction of your great modules!