Doug72

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

Or this This should meet your requirments. Red input and out constant direction Yellow output reversable with lever. Shock absorber for snap change over.

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:

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.

Lego rubber bands are hard to find and expensive. For GBC Train modules I use Loom Bands, cheap (£1.00 for 100pce) and retain their tension OK.

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.

The plastic bags can be re-cycled, as indicated by the logo on the bag. Likewise the carboard box & instruction books can be re-cycled unless you wish to keep them.

This in the newspapers this morning: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/10/14/lego-considers-rental-scheme-seeks-reduce-plastic-waste/

I prefer instructions on paper which can be easily re-cycled eventually, unlike electronic devices which eat up the worlds resources and are hard to re-cycle due the many different rare earth components inside of them. Also OK with PDF files on my computer as you can zoom in, otherwise I have to keep changing which glasses to use for near sight. Instructions on smart phone or tablet a definite NO NO.

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.

There’s nothing on the Train Tech forum about this and they use lots of 3D printed parts, such as wheels, side frames etc.

Agree and I like the modified ball gondoliers. I see you have used white clutch gears - any trouble with the pair of rear 24T gears catching on the frame ? The weather in the UK is terrible at the moment but where's the SUN ?

My thoughts as well, it wil be an interesting build. See other thread. I note there are now three seperate threads on this topic.

Agree your comments Control + I still have a EV3 unit which have yet figure out how to program it, so Control+ would be a big no no for me. I won’t be rushing out to buy this set , mainly due to high cost and new control system. Instead I intend to wait until the hype has died down and follow comments that are posted on this forum about problem issues etc. Also I cannot see high sales of this set due the cost. If there are good discounts in the future I may consider buying it BUT I would modify it to use PF Components and sell the Control + items or use them for GBC module control. Touch screen control. Recently two US Navy Vessels had collisions with other vessel which were blamed on touch screen controls which even highly train operators found confusing on to use them and complained there was no tactile feedback. They are now converting their vessels back to tactile control, i.e levers, handles push buttons, dials etc. With tactile control you get feedback through your fingers, hand etc.

I searched Brickowl for conveyors and three came up but all seem to be quite rare & expensive. LEGO Conveyor 4 x 12 x 2.5 (58080) LEGO Conveyor Belt ( Shortcut)LEGO Beam The most usefull is:- 4 x 16 for Conveyer Belt Assembly (92712), I have three of these and have used them for GBC builds.