BillytheKid Posted September 14, 2008 Call me lazy, but is there already a topic for a remote controlled 9v switch? I've designed one by myself. I saw at brickshelf that most designs have the similar problem. When the 9v motor runs, it can damage the structure. I've made a safety in it, where the 9v motor can run forever without damage the structure of the switch. I will explain it later with pic's of my design. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Freddie Posted September 14, 2008 If there is a topic on this, it's long gone - I guess that justifies starting a new topic. I bet there are many people out there, including me, interested in your design, more spesifically the safety aspect of it. It's particularily interesting in use of semi-automatic train-layouts, where switching must be done by motors rather than hand, while wanting the device to function without breaking anything. So do tell us, we're all ears eyes! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillytheKid Posted September 15, 2008 Which program is used to make virtual lego models? Then I can show you people what mine desgin is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Freddie Posted September 15, 2008 (edited) MLCad, which is available here, is a good one. It's anything but fast, but is relatively easy and gives the user pretty much total control. Plus it has most bricks that have probably existed. Edit: Oops. My bad! Edited September 17, 2008 by Freddie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JopieK Posted September 16, 2008 MLCad, which is available here, is a good one. It's anything but fast, but is relatively easy and gives the user pretty much total control. Plus it has most bricks that have probably existed. I like Bricksmith better ;) Very good control, no large bugs detected so far. But it only runs on fine unix systems and not on inferior computers ;) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aliencat Posted September 16, 2008 (edited) I like Bricksmith better ;) Very good control, no large bugs detected so far. But it only runs on fine unix systems and not on inferior computers ;) I'm sure this was very useful information for Panda9001100 :) Edited September 16, 2008 by Aliencat Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillytheKid Posted September 16, 2008 MLCad, which is available here, is a good one. It's anything but fast, but is relatively easy and gives the user pretty much total control. Plus it has most bricks that have probably existed.Or is it me or something else, but that doesn't work. Are you sure this is the right link? If I've installed MLCad, then I can show you how mine design is.And most pc's (including mine) running with Windows XP ;) . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aliencat Posted September 16, 2008 Or is it me or something else, but that doesn't work. Are you sure this is the right link? If I've installed MLCad, then I can show you how mine design is. Haha I think Freddie made a little copy/paste mistake. Here's the link to the MLCad website ;) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CP5670 Posted September 16, 2008 I use MLCad, but it does have some issues. The software renderer looks bad and slows down to a crawl when you have thousands of pieces on the screen, even on very fast processors. If they ever make a Windows port of that Bricksmith program, I'll need to check it out. There is another program out there called Leocad which has a better renderer and interface, but it doesn't run off the LDraw parts library and has a more limited selection. LDD has a nice renderer but its parts selection is very limited and only has the parts that are on PAB at the time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
highlandcattle Posted September 16, 2008 I would be very interested! I already saw your pictures on Brickshelf. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillytheKid Posted September 16, 2008 Can someone explain and/or help how to install this virtual building program? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JopieK Posted September 17, 2008 you got the link in some other forum, use the second one since the first was no good. don't be lazy, just try first www.ldraw.org gives more than enough information, I could give you a lecture of course, but then you might need to enroll at our College (Zwolle so not so far ;)). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillytheKid Posted September 17, 2008 Program is running. Now I would like to know how I can put parts in like a 12v trainmotor . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Freddie Posted September 17, 2008 Some parts need to be downloaded separatly from the program; this is also done at LDraw's website, via the Parts tracker. Pay attention to where you put the files, as not all of them, especially the sub-parts, go into the parts-folder. This is indicated at each part's download page (and in the list as well, I think). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JopieK Posted September 18, 2008 note: also remember to 'rescan' your catalog in MLCad. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillytheKid Posted September 21, 2008 (edited) Finally I have the design made. The white tooth clutch I used is the safety part, which protect that the structure can't be pull apart through the power of the 9v motor. Then I used some tooth for a slowdown the switching part and tooth bevel to show me where the train will go. I've put this part at top, used in 12v trains: Here the pic's of the design: What you people think of this design? Only I'm not very happy with the little house I made around it. I would like to know what you people think also of the little house around it. Edited September 21, 2008 by Panda9001100 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JopieK Posted September 21, 2008 it will work that way of course, but it is a huge switch, if you have let's say 20 switches on you track then it is starting to draw too much attention, isn't it?! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Freddie Posted September 21, 2008 I'm guessing that most of the switches will be permanently set, so the course won't be altered much. Not that it makes it useless, oh no! It'd be very useful in automated layouts, where switches at train stations need to be set whenever a train stops and a new train is due to enter the loop. I probably would have used a wormgear for the reduction needed, plus it would compact the entire design. I do like the fact that this one has a display to show how the switch is set. Two questions though; is the clutch strong enough to overcome the torque needed to set the switch? And how, exactly, does it operate the switch? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillytheKid Posted September 21, 2008 Well, I didn't have a wormgear. Otherwise I used that piece, maybe in near future I try with it. Hopefully the building will be much smaller then it's right now. I've modified the switch like this: So, it's strong enough overcome the torque needed to set the switch. I use mine own design to change the polarity for the power: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
highlandcattle Posted September 21, 2008 I use this type of switch and it works like charm and you do not neet to modify a single parts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillytheKid Posted September 21, 2008 The nice thing of my design is, the 9v motor can run forever. Even when the switch thing is finshed. When I look at your design, I wonder what happens of you keep the 9v motor running? Is the motor you used a strong one? You need a lot of force to change the switch without modify it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillytheKid Posted May 11, 2009 Finally one switch is connected to my controlpanel and it works beautifully. When the switch is finished with switching, the 9v motor can run further without damage the little controlhouse beside it. I will make a movie to show how it works, but I can't upload it at brickshelf. Just send an email to me and I send the movie to you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillytheKid Posted May 15, 2009 Sorry. I can't make a clear video form how this switch works. But you can visit me to see how it works . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites