doug72

Lift now re-configured to recirculate balls back to the in box. Took a lot of time to get a sturdy ball ramp able to allow all balls the roll down into the in box without any hanging up or escaping. An XL motor installed along with a change over switch. Balls re- circulate each trip cycle in approx 35 secs. IMG IMG_8891 IMG_8892 Next step:- make a video. ====================================================================== Now exploring how to use a GBC Train Car to power the lift and transfer balls to the next in box, using a Self “Unloading GBC Train Cart” so it can load up at the lift tower & then transfer and unload into the next inbox. IMG_8894 IMG_8895

The lift can carry up to max. 36 balls per lift cycle. I may enter my GBC module as a stand alone with balls recycling either back to in box or forward onto a the next in box. Also could be used as a corner module with a 90 deg left turn.

Heppu, Now removed the chain of gears and installed a new version with two angle gear casings. No problem aligning the two Turntables to each other and now tested OK with 30 balls per trip 7 x 24 gears & 2 x 20T gears now back in spares parts drawers. IMG_8885

YouTube Video made Next step make entry topic

Heppu, I have made mock up of your suggestion and will fit it tomorrow and test it. Running short of 24T gears !

Thanks for your comments, I will be posting a video soon. Re “Chain of Gears” Chose this method as the beam also provides support to the upper structure to prevent it from spreading. Also has to be as built this way to prevent the lift arms from hitting the beam or gears. Also very easy to synchronise the two turntables. All I need to do is remove one gear and then rotate one turntable to line up opposite the other so that the lift arms are always in alignment with each other. Using small 12T bevel gears with right angle gear cases would be flimsy and more awkward when aligning the Turntables.

================================================== Decided to try again running the lift module powered by a Train Car when on the reverser. The Train car engages with the two 24T gears to drive both the reverser unit and the a drive to the two Z56 Turn Tables which raise & lower the lift. After a few changes to the gearing the lift can do a full cycle in less than 60 secs while carrying 30 balls per trip cycle. Gives same speed as when used a M motor. Now need to alter the trip timing on the reverser to try & synchronise it with the lift.if possible. As soon as train car departs the lift stops General View:- GBC 2 View of drive line & gearing from train reverser to Lift Tower Turntables. GBC 1

Update :- The physical build is complete. Stronger frame added to prevent the two towers from moving. The two Z56 Turntables are connected by a chain of gears to ensure they both rotate together in sync. At loading point in box all 30 balls roll out onto lift OK. The discharge point is slightly higher but all balls roll out into train Car hopper with none spilling. System run on test & M Motor runs very smoothly. Drive:- I had hoped to use an out from the train reverser to run the lift, but even with new batteries in the Train car there was not enough power to run the lift and would have needed several 90 deg turns to replace the M motor. I have used this solution in the past. As the train enters the reverser & docks it activates a PF switch (early version) which is much freer in operation than the later version. As train leaves the the reverser a counter weight moves the PF switch to turn off the drive. Next install train switch and try and synchronise the train reverser with the lift cycle. Images:- IMG_8859 IMG_8860 Now installed the power to drive the module, As train docks power is turned on, Speed of the module is set using a PF Controller. When train departs the counterweight cut power to the M motor. IMG_886 Close up of PF Switch. IMG_8863 The system is a bit temperamental, if the counterweight doesn’t drop. This module could be stand alone in series with other modules or set up to recycle balls back to the in box. Hardest task next - make a video !!

Thanks for your comments. I am Having problems with the Z60 turntable gearing. The 1L worm gear has poor engagement with the teeth on the 60 T gear ring, tried adding extra supports but skipping of the worm gear still occurs when lifting the balls Veiw of Z60 T/T showing extra bracing to the worm drive axle. IMG_8858 Z60 Turn Tables rejected due to worm drive skipping. Z56 T/T - after further changes I am now able to line up the loading & discharge levels.

Stage 3:- Lift Towers. These were built using 5 x 7 frames with guide beams and rollers Vertical beam were added on each 5 x 7 frame to guide the ball transfer platform. The two sides of the Lift Tower had to be well braced. At the top of each tower a worm drive gear box were added. this was driven by an M motor & battery box via a 2 way switch. For testing only one had a worm gear fitted for testing the lift. IMG_8853 IMG_8854 An M motor was temporarily used to test & set the lengths for the lift arms so that balls loaded OK from the In box & discharge OK into the train Hopper. . Some balls tended to “hang” up on the ball transfer platform. after a long search of my spares.I found a 6 x 8 10% slope p/n 4515 which now ensures all balls roll out freely. IMG_8855 The two yellow worm drive gear boxes will be removed & replaced by two 60T turntables to drive the lift arms up and down. These will be driven by the Train Reverser unit when the train car docks. Z60 Turntables. These will replace the two yellow worm drive gear boxes and be driven by the train reverser. The Ball Lift will only run when train is docked and stop as soon as train departs with 30 balls. Hopefully it will be easy to synchronise this !!!!! IMG_8857 IMG_8856 Next Stage 4:- building the lift mechanism.

Stage 2:- build the lift platform to hold minimum 30 balls. It took a while to build the lift platform and prevent it from jamming in the guide rails on both lift towers. Originally I used flip flop beams but these keep snagging on the 7 x 5 frames edges due to the raised lip around some pin holes. See earlier post about this problem. I come up with solution using normal lego parts which works Well. IMG_8843 Lift platform Underside framing. One 7 x 11 frame, Two 6 x 8 studded frames. IMG_8840 Lift arms and sloping plate added. IMG_8842

Yes it will be using the Akiyuki train to drive the lift. For testing the lift I will use a M motor.

A high capacity ball lift activated by a GBC Train car. The build will be described in stages. Stage 1:- build a GBC compliant in box. In box:- Entry 10L high x 10L wide x 16L long, and able to contain minimum 30 balls. as built able to hold a further 6 balls OK. Fitted with a Lift gate to hold back balls until the ball lift lowers to hit a trip bar to release the balls onto the lift platform. IMG_8831 IMG_8833

Flip Flop Beam problem. Logo Beam 15 Module & Lego Beam 11 Module I have an issue with these beams when used to slide along a flat surface such as a stack of 5 x 7 frames with guide rails attached. The flip flop beam keeps catching on the edges of the frames. Added extra support rollers but problem still occurring. Close examination of the beams revealed the edges of some pin holes had a slightly raised lip around the pin hole, enough to catch. Solution:- place a sheet of fine sand paper on a flat surface and gently move beam back & forth to remove the lip. Now examined all the parts I have, seems the two guide beams I used were faulty. All the others I have are OK. Problem solve

Grab arm boom modified and hoses re-routed. Tested and works OK New batteries used for driving the pneumatic pump motor. Raising the main boom is now much better even with a Lego 6 x 2 x 3 weight in the closed grab. IMG_8826 IMG_8830