nxtstep101 Posted May 12, 2015 (edited) Hey everyone! Here is my new GBC module, designed to operate similar to a ski lift. It uses a single L motor to operate the chain movement. The balls are loaded automatically into the chairs as they rotate around. The hopper can currently only hold five balls, but can be configured to hold more. Here is the video, the building instructions and a link to some additional pictures: Building Instructions: http://www.mediafire...bc_ski_lift.lxf Additional pictures: http://www.brickshel...ry.cgi?f=555913 Enjoy! Edited October 20, 2015 by nxtstep101 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dr_spock Posted May 12, 2015 Cool module, neat idea. Don't think I'll need the instructions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jurss Posted May 12, 2015 Make some path/slider down, and no need to manually bring back balls. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
torso Posted May 12, 2015 Well done! Looks like it's running reliably. I like the uniqueness and simplicity. If you're planning on making a GBC conformant in basket, it's not just a matter of making it bigger. You will also need a mechanism to line up the balls, because that will not happen automatically. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Captainowie Posted May 12, 2015 That's a lovely pick-up motion, and nice execution overall. I might have to steal that one! :-) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nalyd997 Posted May 12, 2015 That's a lovely pick-up motion, and nice execution overall. I might have to steal that one! :-) It is not far of the way you realised that lift infront of the unimog for the BV! Anyway looks really sweet! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LegoGBC Posted May 12, 2015 I like how simple and effective the way the balls are loaded is. Nice module! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thomol Posted May 12, 2015 You will also need a mechanism to line up the balls, because that will not happen automatically. No need for mechanics. Just put a high school dropout in charge of the lining up, and you will have a perfect replica of the real thing... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kieran Posted May 12, 2015 Really nice, how many links did it take to get that lenght Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nxtstep101 Posted May 12, 2015 Thanks everyone! :) Make some path/slider down, and no need to manually bring back balls. I would, however, this is going to be incorporated into a loop with other GBC modules. I manually added the balls to demonstrate how the module works. Well done! Looks like it's running reliably. I like the uniqueness and simplicity. If you're planning on making a GBC conformant in basket, it's not just a matter of making it bigger. You will also need a mechanism to line up the balls, because that will not happen automatically. Yep your right. However, I'm not really planning on bringing it to any conventions, since there isn't any near where I live. So I'm not really concerned as much with conforming it to all the GBC standards. Really nice, how many links did it take to get that lenght 100, including the black tread links. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BusterHaus Posted May 13, 2015 This is pretty sweet. I'm not sure how long the chain will last if you display it at a show. I'm not a fan of the small chain links, but the big ones would change the scale of this unit too much. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boxerlego Posted May 13, 2015 That is a cool idea! Works fantastic! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nxtstep101 Posted May 13, 2015 This is pretty sweet. I'm not sure how long the chain will last if you display it at a show. I'm not a fan of the small chain links, but the big ones would change the scale of this unit too much. It would probably need to be changed after a couple hours of constant use. I did actually consider using the larger ones, however, like you said, they changed the scale too much. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zerobricks Posted May 13, 2015 Well done! Nice idea and it seems to work great. I like the fact you can always expand the system simply by adding chains. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BusterHaus Posted May 13, 2015 It would probably need to be changed after a couple hours of constant use. I did actually consider using the larger ones, however, like you said, they changed the scale too much. The pickup/dropoff mechanism is the real star of this module. I am pretty sure it could be used on something like a tilted carousel to make the whole module more robust. Any issues with balls being dropped or jamming? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nxtstep101 Posted May 14, 2015 The pickup/dropoff mechanism is the real star of this module. I am pretty sure it could be used on something like a tilted carousel to make the whole module more robust. Any issues with balls being dropped or jamming? Nope. I did have to fine-tune the mechanism to work so well, since the first version would drop a ball here and there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nxtstep101 Posted October 20, 2015 After a long delay, I finally found the time to finish up the building instructions for this project. The LDD is available for download: http://www.mediafire.com/download/il6ng7mzn543q9j/gbc_ski_lift.lxf Just so you know, there are a couple parts that don't appear to fit correctly in LDD, however they do in fact fit correctly in real life. Also, the L motor apparently hasn't been added to LDD, so I wasn't able to include that either. Other than that, everything should be pretty self explanatory. Let me know if you run into any issues. Enjoy! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Prune Face Posted October 20, 2015 Where the 'chair' connects to the chain link, that is just held on by friction, not locked in? How strong does that connection seem to be? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wissamms Posted October 20, 2015 Nice GBC, great job! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RohanBeckett Posted October 21, 2015 Where the 'chair' connects to the chain link, that is just held on by friction, not locked in? How strong does that connection seem to be? it's usually a tight fit to push something over those tread links.. look carefully, and you'll see the tread is slightly bend, when in the hole... with an application like this, it's not going to fall out any time soon... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nxtstep101 Posted October 21, 2015 Where the 'chair' connects to the chain link, that is just held on by friction, not locked in? How strong does that connection seem to be? As RohanBeckett said, the tread link fit snugly in the hole, it would take quite a bit of more weight to cause them to slip out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Prune Face Posted October 23, 2015 it's usually a tight fit to push something over those tread links.. look carefully, and you'll see the tread is slightly bend, when in the hole... with an application like this, it's not going to fall out any time soon... As RohanBeckett said, the tread link fit snugly in the hole, it would take quite a bit of more weight to cause them to slip out. Very nice technique! I just got around to testing this out this evening, and as you said, the slight bend in the tread really holds it on there. Lots of interesting opportunities with this type of connection. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
9v system Posted October 23, 2015 Nice do you plan on adding a bigger hopper? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nxtstep101 Posted October 24, 2015 (edited) Nice do you plan on adding a bigger hopper? When I incorporate it into a loop, yes. Edited October 24, 2015 by nxtstep101 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
