Transfer Crane Train Module (GBC)

[doug72]

Gantry Container Crane Train Module (GBC) (WIP)

Another failed attempt to build a simplified Akiyuki Crane module for Type 2 trains, due to unable to get a reliable way of traversing the profile beam that raises and lower the ball container.

I set out to find another way using a version based on Ganty Container Crane as used by Freight Liner container yards during the British Railway era.

The overall diamensions were determined by the 32L axle for hoist drive using a worm gear that slides along it.
At present the drive for travel & hoist uses two motors for test purposes to ensure the system works OK. L motor for traverse & M motor for the hoist.

Container hoist uses a rack and pinion system, protected by a clutch and can carry 30 balls per trip with ease.
Tried a 24T white clutch gear but this caused the lift to drop every time the clutch slipped.
A linear clutch was made using Lego parts and works OK.  To be replaced by new Lego Linear Clutch when it becomes available.
Does anyone know the part number yet ?

Travel uses the same method as the Akiyuki Crane module but with a link belt each side to prevent the traveling frame from twisting.

Then comes the hardest part - how to control it and carry out all the various movements required.

1/    Train arrives with empty container.
2/    Lift empty container off the train.
3/.   Traverse empty container and lower to the loading point.
4/.   Raise loaded container and traverse back to the train.
5/    Lower loaded container onto the train and release the train.

There are three posibilities for this:

1/. Drive from train using trips & reversing gear boxes and a trip to release the train with loaded container. (Difficult & complicated)

2/. Seperate powered drives as per test rig but controlled by a 8885 controller with control levers operated by a cam system driven by the train.
Possible but needs a way to set train trip in motion once container loaded.

3/. Use EV3 control, motors and sensors. Motors are bulky and I have not yet got to grips with using EV3.

Comments and suggestions welcome.

 

 

Edited October 19, 2019 by Doug72

[doug72]

Gantry Container Crane Train Module (GBC) (WIP) (HELP)

Progress has been very slow, The gantry crane layout works OK,  and I have been trying to come up with a solution that follows GBC Train concepts, i.e the train unit powers everything. Using manual control with two PF motors control is simple.

Proved that train unit can power the gantry crane BUT so far have tried several ideas for controlling the required movements but none have been succesful.

The lifting mechanism is smooth, strong and works well and after a few teething problems, syncronising the two chain belts, the carriage traversing is also OK but the link chain has a tendency to part if anything jams !

Best I have come up with is a system using push rods, trips and levers to operate the change over gears to carry out the sequence of movements required, but is proving very difficult to get it to function as desired.

 

 

Edited October 3, 2019 by Doug72

[doug72]

Some progress but a long way to go !

Now sorted the drive to traverse carriage and to raise & lower the lift. Somehow I need to add a reversing unit and find a way to prevent lift & traversing at same time.

After a lot of attempts used a Z28 diff to split the drive for traverse & lifting.
A   = drive input from train unit.
B1 =  drive to the right traversing belt.
B2 =  drive to the left traversing belt.
C   = drive to the lifting

By blocking B1/2 or C prevents other drive from rotating.

So far have managed to incorporate these onto the main structure but beginning to think it will better as a seperate unit at base level with individual outputs for traverse & lifting.

Might rebuild the Akiyuki reversing unit from his Crane module to see if that can provide a solution.

If you have any solutions please let me know.

Edited October 4, 2019 by Doug72

[doug72]

Update: Project ON HOLD:-

After further testing found that the small link chain drive to traverse the carrier was the weakest link and often often parted if anything jammed.

Tried using gear racks with 16T gears as wheels on the racks.
Drive to these gears is via a 32L axle with a sliding worm gear with a 24T clutch gear for protection when carriage reaches the end stops.
Drive to lifting frame also has a linear clutch.

A train unit using an M motor is not strong enough so has to be a train with an L motor.

Also tried  a fixed profile frames with counter weights both sides to assist the lifting frame up & down with a system to lift the ball box by 2 L off the train before engaging with the profile beam, but was unable to get it to work.

Overall View:-

Every thing works fine when using M motors for driving traverse and lifting with manual control but so far unable to find a solution to automate all the movements required.

I could not get the original Akiyuki crane module with its traversing profile beam & counterweight to function either which would twist and jam.

Time to on my thinking cap on.

Edited October 20, 2019 by Doug72

[jotta93]

Sad to hear this Doug! But maybe it's for the best and you'll come back to it in the future full of new ideas 

[doug72]

10 hours ago, jotta93 said:

Sad to hear this Doug! But maybe it's for the best and you'll come back to it in the future full of new ideas 

Thanks for your comments, yes a build too far, now broken down and parts consigned to storage drawers.

The mechanics work fine, control is the problem, had hoped to use reversers tripped by the moving carriage but there is a dwell point as lever is tripped meaning carriage stops. Tried  small shock absorber to assist switching from one way or the other but same problem.

I want to make the traversing carriage move back and forth without using the small link belt chain, which is quite fragile.
Old style Large Lego chain links would be better but problem is how to connect it to the moving carriage.

If can do that then the profile frame that raises and lowers the lifting frame shouldmore secure & function better.

So far can't figure out a reverser to do this without over loading the train motor.

[doug72]

A final solution ?

Tried a test rig using Large Lego Chain links and works OK.

Direct drive with M motor, so needs gearing down.
Some guide beams needed to stop chain sagging.

There is a short dwell at each end which can be altered by distance between the vertical black axles.

Close together - short dwell.  Further apart - longer dwell.

Hopefully this will work. The tire is just keep the trolly on the gear racks for testing.

A short video:

 

 

Edited October 17, 2019 by Doug72

[jotta93]

A very ingenious solution! 

[doug72]

On 10/18/2019 at 12:24 AM, jotta93 said:

A very ingenious solution! 

Thanks, starting from scratch and ensure each stage works before moving on.
Changed the Title to Transfer Crane.

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The build continues, Gantry crane idea discarded and instead re-building as a Traversing Crane GBC based more on the Akiyuki design.

New build - gear racks along with16T gears eliminated and reversers no longer required.

LEGO Straight Rail (3228) used with Rim Narrow Ø18 x 7 and Pin Hole with Shallow Spokes (13971 / 56902) for carriage wheels.

Stage 1:-

Base support structure built along with travelling carriage for the profile beam
Traverse is by Large Lego Chain for moving the profile beam back and forth and arranged to give a short dwell time at each end.
Extra support beam added to prevent any parts snagging on the chain.
Prolonged testing done to ensure no moving parts snag and working smoothly
The  mounting of the profile beam is now much more secure.

Much more reliable than when using small chain links.

Stage 2:-
Added track beams for upper trolley along with the  traversing carriage base for mounting the lifting frame for the train ball hopper.

 

Edited October 19, 2019 by Doug72