LegoGBC

I like how simple and effective the way the balls are loaded is. Nice module!

Thank you! It is very handy since it doesn't rely on syncing complex gear ratios and therefore, does not 'drift' after running for long periods.

I always start with the main mechanism I would like to check (in this case, the differentials for sequencing). Then I thought about the crane and developed the concept of how it would work (I thought about it in my head for a few days and solved the problems I could think of). Then I drew a quick sketch of the whole system (very basic, without any mechanism details, just squares with titles) and after finishing the crane (well, it's first version...there were many modifications later on) I've started working on the other mechanisms (unloading,loading and tracks) The music is "Epic Adventure" from AudioMicro.com Thanks. I do usually agree regarding the sound of GBCs, but I think that in this case the music sounds better than the squeaks of the knob gears

After months of building (well, life got in the way) I've finally finished building my biggest, most complex GBC module. It's a hybrid GBC (uses both mechanical and pneumatic functions) of a construction site-like-crane operation. Here's the video. A detailed description of how the crane works is written below The 6 step movement of the crane is done without using any sort of programming and no mechanical timers - it uses 3 differentials (one heavy duty) to power 4 outputs: 1) The crane rotation 2) The crane's claw (a pneumatic switch) 3) The crane's boom (a pneumatic switch) 4) The PF switch used to reverse the motion The 6 step movement: 1) Close the claw 2) Lift 3) Rotate 4) Release 5) Rotate back to original position 6) Lower So how does it work? Differentials send the power to the 'easiest' output. So the first, easiest function is to close the claw (rotating an axle which then changes the position of a pneumatic switch) -to grab the crate The second easiest is to open the boom's pneumatic switch -to lift the crate After that, the crane rotates until it's blocked at it's final position (the drop position). The power is then sent to the PF switch, which reverses the movement: -The claw opens -The crane rotates -The boom lowers Notice how the boom lowers AFTER the crane rotates back to it's original position (while it lifts BEFORE the crane rotates) - this is done so the boom won't lower in the wrong position (where it drops the crate) - a rubber band mounted on the boom's switch makes sure this happens: -It's easier to change the switch to it's lift position than it's to rotate the crane -It's harder to change the switch to it's lower position than it's to rotate the crane back. There are many (really, many) more small mechanisms in this module, but I think it's better to see those in the video :) Thanks for watching!

Akiyuky just published his new GBC module, called Invisible Lift Incredible, as always

Altough I would use wheel based launcher at this case (the large distance), here's some Wheel launchers are all about finding the right gap between the wheel and the ball, so having multiple types of wheels to test with should help in case you decide to go that way

He said

There is a nice collection of modules in Phillip Verbeek's website http://pv-production...-modules-index/ Also, there are 19 more GBCs (currently) in my plus some tutorials in my (in case you want to add them to the wiki)

The Galaxy S5 has an IR blaster used to control TVs, so it can be used & probably has enough range as well. And of course you shouldn't buy a new smartphone just for that, I was just suggesting in case you have one already ;) The more I think about controlling PF with a smartphone the more I like it. Think about using the phone's sensors as toggles for PF actions (light sensor, proximity sensor, gyro, etc.. maybe even use the camera to detect colors!)

That could open many options, like programming the PF motors from the smartphone itself - no need for an NXT - just tell the smartphone when to send and what to send (like every 5 seconds flip the motor direction) Also, some of the high-end smartphones today come with IR blasters, maybe you should check them out?

Heres a small part of it private boolean MeasureColors(Bitmap bitmap) { int x = bitmap.getHeight() - 1; for (int i = 0; i < x - 1; i++) if (Color.red(bitmap.getPixel(500, i)) - 60 > prevR) return true; return false; } (prevR is the red channel of a pixel on the black background) Theres a lot more, tough. This is just the method which measures the colors and returns true/false if theres a significant change in one of the pixels. There are also methods which convert the received byte[] data to a usable bitmap (you need to first convert from YUV image to jpeg, write the jpeg to a byte array stream and read from it later on with a regular bitmap) , check for light change, calcucate BPS, handle the 200ms break after each ball etc...

Thanks, maybe I'll soon have the time to release it for all users

Hi I've made a GBC ball counter which uses an android smartphone and an app I wrote in order to detect and count GBC balls. Iv'e done this before (here), but this time I tried something different: counting the balls directly from the GBC track, without a special module. The counter uses the phone's camera to scan a row of pixels (most of them positioned on the track itself). If it detects a drastic change in one of the pixels' colors, it registers a pass and does some calcucations (such as balls / second). It also waits 200ms before scanning for balls again, so the counter won't register the same ball twice. Also included is a small algorithm that will ignore changes in lighting, to prevent false positives. More information: - 100% accuracy rate - never misses a ball or counts the same ball twice - Can handle up to 5 (!) balls per second, which is 5 times more than the GBC standard - The app uses the camera preview mode (~20 fps) - Coded in Java for android devices. I hope you'll like it :)

Just noticed that the Unimog is on sale at the official LEGO shop (100$!) http://shop.lego.com...imog-U-400-8110 Pretty amazing deal! Update: Sold out.

Just make sure he doesn't get tired building it. The build is long, which is of course good, but can be hard for those who are new to Technic. Anyway, an excellent set to start with.