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As part of Splat's To-and-Fro GBC, the mechanism that provides a means to halt the GBC if there is a jam I found to be particularly interesting. RohanBeckett then posed a challenge (half in jest?) to adapt the mechanism to automatically reverse the GBC for a short period of time and then for it to resume normal behaviour. So I decided to take up the challenge and came up with the following. In the video, my hand simulates the case of a GBC mechanism becoming jammed by holding the output axle. Following the "jam" there is a pause, the output axle momentarily reverses, pauses once more before resuming the original rotational direction. This mechanism is in the experimental stage and there is a minor defect. The defect, as shown in this second video, is that the differential continues to turn a very small amount even when there is no jam. The gearing ratios are correct, so I suspect that the rotation is being caused simply by the rotation of the axle. I'm posting this thread for two reasons; 1) to garner possible solutions to address the defect 2) to see whether anyone else has interest to/is able to improve/alter the mechanism. I'd be open to any suggestions as to how the incidental rotation of the differential could be eliminated. I'd also be open to seeing other peoples' interpretations to make a mechanism to achieve a similar result. For convenience, I have made the build instructions (PDF format) and the LDraw file (MPD format) available for download from BrickSafe. There are also a couple of images of the two sides of the build: Regards, David -
This is my own design gbc. concept is fixed crank. V1 version Have only 1 plane. So slow. And V2 This is not finish yet. Need make ball suply mechanisem. But, this version have 2 plane so 2x speed than v1. Anyone have tip for ball suply mechanisem? -
Holy moly the GBC at Brickvention Australia was Huge. Brickvention if one of the largest Lego conventions in Australia, It's composed of builders from all over the country. This year the GBC team went above and beyond making a fantastic display. Rohah - The co-ordinator of the GBC walked me through all the different modules and explained what everything was. He was a fantastic speaker so all credit to him Without further ado, The Brickvention 2017 GBC! -
i have been designing a module that splits the GBC stream into two straight lines. when i was playing with the cup to cup by akiyuki i came up with a good use for that spiral at the start of the module. the idea is the balls roll up then land on a tilting ramp which randomly distributes the balls left or right, but i also included a driving ring so the ramp can be permanently set left or right to use as a turning module. what do you think? -
It is with a little delay that I can present our Easter GBC module. This GBC module is an evolution from this old small ring module: (Brickshelf gallery of the old module here: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=569534 ) The module is quite simple. The wheel spins. The anti-jamming mechanism kicks in when needed and there are two inboxes to help place it optimally in a layout. There is a compartment in the base to store fragile objects during transport and the XL motor can easily be replaced: You can also use an M or L motor instead, should you not have an XL motor. The flowers are tulips: A daisy: And a daffodil: The design started with the head of the bunny, where I tried to make it both compact and cute: Brickshelf gallery with more pictures (once public): http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=569534 -
It is not long ago I presented a GBC (Great Ball Contraption) starter module. I have now done it again. This time with the wheel design that I have used on both the Easter Bunny Module and the 1984 Module. In the video you can see how I'm testing this module by making a layout using 10 of them. Building instructions can be found here: http://c-mt.dk/instructions/models_gbc-GBCStarterWheel.htm The parts that shield the exit can be replaced with ramps as seen in the full layout. And as usual the anti-jamming mechanism saves the day: My "GBC pipeline" currently consists of the following: - Update the Bunny module to use this design as it is more compact and can use the NXT-multiplexer (saves me a motor) - Make a gadget for my pump module. - Make a new version of this:
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Update 2 New, more reliable, version of the module is up. The GBC layout now contains 20 modules. See my latest message below. Update The module has been updated with an anti-jamming mechanism. See the updated building instructions on http://c-mt.dk and Rebrickable (http://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-8843/LasseD/gcb-conveyor-starter-module/). See my latest post for the process of testing and improving the module. It is about time I did my part for getting new members on board the Great Ball Contraption (GBC) train. Here is my starter module. It is a simple conveyor module with 194 parts where none of the parts should be hard to come by. Here are the building instructions: http://c-mt.dk/instructions/models_gbc-GBCStarterConveyerBelt.htm In the video I also show how the module works in a circuit. This module should be easy to multiply where a single motor powers multiple modules. I will try to do that next.
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After my Rainbow Wave it was time for something different. Inspired by the Paternoster in the Wall-E movie I wanted to create something like that as a LEGO GBC. I kept the in box as low as possible for reasons I will reveal later. As a result of that the ball pickup after the ball release from the buckets is just 1 brick high. Hope you like it:
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Sioux Technologies and PV-Productions organize a free GBC workshop for kids, age 7 - 14 years old. The date is during the holidays of the Netherlands, Wednesday 23 October. Location will be Sioux Labs in Eindhoven (NL). Entrance is free. More information can be found here (in Dutch only): Hot-or-Not: The Next Generation workshop | Sioux Technologies Questions? Please let me know. Warm regards, Hans -
This lego GBC module uses the lego Mindstorms EV3 to power the module. It uses a robot arm style mechanism to lift the balls from the previous GBC module to the next one. It is quite reliable and has had almost no issues while I have been testing it. It is quite simple and small for a mindstorms GBC module but it is the first thing that I have ever made and programmed with it. (Do you recommend using the EV3 programming app or Python? I know Python quite well but have not tried using it for mindstorms before) I think it turned out ok for my first MOC using mindstorms, hope to make the next one much more interesting :) Instructions. Photos on Flicker. -
Hello, here is my latest module which will allow me to split the flow of balls into two separate outputs. I've wanted to do a path splitter for a while. So after seeing a module in a recent European GBC layout that used the Sports ramps in this manner, it inspired me to get started. This module has a recirculation function, massive input bin, and the ability to move balls out quite quickly. The biggest challenge when building this module was getting the sweeper motion to work as intended. If anyone here has a better solution for the sweeper linkage please leave a reply as it is something I'd like to improve. -
This great ball contraption module uses I mechanism that holds the balls until there are 13 in it, then the mechanism gets triggered and it started lifting the balls and dumps them into the next module. It is quite a complex mechanism, it works well, as long as it runs at the same speed you set it up for. As far as reliability, it is quite reliable when it is set up to get triggered by 13 balls, and even more reliable when you are ok with 12 or 13. (if you have not guessed by now, this was built for the Great Ball Pit challenge to build a module that only outputs 13 balls at a time) I don't know how log it can run, I have ran it for about 45 minutes and it has not had any problems, but I would not be surprised if it stopped working after a few hours. Hope you like it, there are more photos on flickr here.
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This lego GBC module uses three cardan gear mechanisms to rotate the platforms that the balls sit on. It is a reliable module when you have the timing between the loading and unloading mechanisms aligned right. The long technic axle you can see running through the front of the module is how it shares power between it and other modules. I am trying to make all my new modules able to share power in this way, as this way I only need one motor for every 4 to 5 modules. If you wan to build this module I have instructions on Rebrickable. More photos on Flickr. The mechanism to load the balls is quite simple, although it is not the most smooth. I would like to change the mechanism to something easier on the parts, maybe by making the main stepper tall enough to let the balls roll straight on. The unloading mechanism is inspired by Akiyuki's mechanism, although it is not exactly the same. This version uses the 2L rubber technic beams instead of rubber bands, and holds two balls instead on one.
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This lego GBC module uses a conveyor built out of technic engine block pieces to lift the balls. It is powered by a lego XL motor and fully meets the GBC standard, infarct it can actually run reliably at almost twice the required speed for the great ball contraption standard, although it runs more reliably at slower speeds. I originally made this module after chatting with some friends about how we all have so many of the engine block pieces that we almost never use any. This is basically a product of trying to use theme in some way. If you would like to build it I have the free instructions and 3D file on Rebrickable, created in BrickLink Studio. If you have any trouble feel free to contact me and I would be glad to help, hope you like the module! :) Photos on Flickr. Don't know what is happening with the Flickr and YouTube links but they are not working, here is the youtube video. https://youtu.be/nr-HMLtBgqU Lets see if this works..... YES! Not sure what was happening before.
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I came up with the mechanism for this module by accident when I went to put a axle through the middle of the gear, and thought "I wonder why I have never used the other axle holes for anything" and that is how this module started. The mechanism quite reliable, as long as you have the timing between the two parts of the module is right. The timing is easy to set up by holding back the last gear while the mdoule is running. Instructions are on Rebrickable here. I know that I am still using non-lego balls. Yesterday I went to buy them from lego bricks and pieces, I added them to my bag and then went to add the lego hogwarts express set to my bag as well. In the time that it took me to do that they went out of stock, hopefully they will be back in stock in the next few days. More photos.
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This is my latest version of my very first Great Ball Contraption module - the simple tipper. I have made a video showing the details and how it can be combined in a circuit of similar modules with bridges and common motors: HISTORY The first version was quickly made to a competition in my LUG back in 2007 The deadline was coming up and I did not have a video camera. The pictures (see them cut together in the video) were taking using one of those $20 'stick' digicams that were popular back in the early 2000's. The module was shined up for LEGO Fan Weekend in Skærbæk, 2007: The theme was Aquanauts, but this is unfortunately the best picture I have of it. I brought this and the green 'Logo Roco' module to the event. The other module had a tendency to tear itself apart due to being built using normal bricks and having a hammer to shoot the balls up - similar to the gameplay of the game Loco Roco. The next version of the module had the normal bricks replaced with Technic, the blue rails replaced with a tile and is much more open, making the balls easier to follow: Unfortunately lifting the ramp caused the motor to wear out prematurely, and the outbox was not easy to align with other modules. You can see it in action in the first video, and in this at 6:45: IMPROVEMENTS The latest module has a counterweight in the inbox to reduce wear on the motor The outbox is now to the side to avoid the moving outbox alignment issue: BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS For this reason there are also two building instructions: One for the outbox left and one for outbox right: Left: https://brickhub.org/i/445 Right: https://brickhub.org/i/446 MOTORIZATION The module can be powered by both an M or an L-motor The motor can be mounted both in the middle and at the sides (see the video for how) FUNCTIONS The inbox is 'antagonized' by moving back and forth: And the module is fairly open to make it easier to follow the balls move through: The holes in the ends can be used to connect other modules of the same kind using pins: You can use bridges to make things more interesting, and common rail motorization to reduce the amount of motors required: This will be my last 'simple' module for a while. My plans are to make a couple of really interesting ones for the upcoming LEGO event in Fürth. Take care, and remember if you follow the building instructions: Colors are not important in GBC!
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A new topic to attempt to centralize information, improvements and discussions about the most iconic Great Ball Contraption made by Kawaguchi Akiyuki,GBC Ball Cleaning Machine The thread is also a centralized location for all variations as well as newer design concepts of Ball cleaning machines. -
I’m really excited and happy to share with you the first video from Planet GBC, taking the form of an online magazine. In the video, you will: → Discover GBC → Have an overview of the best GBC modules released over the past weeks → Learn how to build a GBC module from A to Z (get the instructions, buy and order parts you need) and reproduce Sawyer Scissor Lift module → Find and buy GBC balls for your module I hope you will enjoy this video. Don't hesitate to leave comments on this video via this forum thread -
On Tuesday October 15, a free GBC workshop is organized for children in the age of 7 to 14 years old. The workshop is organized by Sioux Technologies to promote science and technique for the next generation. Location is Esp 101, Eindhoven (The Netherlands). Two of the models of Philip Verbeek (PV productions) will be used in the workshop. Philip himself will be there as well as trainer. More information can be found here: https://www.sioux.eu/ (please note that the workshop will be available in Dutch only, so is the information at the Sioux website).
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Hello, I present you my last module, a GBB with bucket. The original idea was to use 1 Circle Gear Rack https://brickset.com/article/23288/ which would turn "all alone" on which would be fixed a bucket to pick up the balls. The first roll was a failure, I used 8 gears at 45 ° (4x 12T and 4x 16T) to advance the Gear Rack, but the sync of the teeth was too strict for the lot of play of the whole set . There was either a crack or a Circle Gear Rack lock on the gears. So I had the revelation: put in the back of the module, a complete circle that synchronizes the teeth of all gears in front! I then had a stability problem with only 1 Gear Rack, the guide length was not enough, so I put 2 and the result was much better. At the mechanical level an XL motor rotates an axis on which is fixed a 16T and the 16T directly drives the back circle. And the back circle drives the other 3 axes equipped with 16T. At 45 ° there are 4 axes that are only for guidance. The exit is on the right rear, it can be brought to the front by continuing the guidance via panels. IMG_20191101_112340 by alex peraux, sur Flickr IMG_20191101_112349 by alex peraux, sur Flickr IMG_20191101_112356_1 by alex peraux, sur Flickr IMG_20191101_112408 by alex peraux, sur Flickr IMG_20191101_114023 by alex peraux, sur Flickr and a vidéo: Feel free to comment !
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... whis is, of course, a personal remake of a famous design from Akiyuki ! (because I admired how he turned/staged industrial speed reducers into ball transportation mechanisms) Another motivation was that some famous GBC designers (Josh DaVid, Sawyer) re-create well-known designs in a smaller form factor. And of course, the "self-challenge". So here is my currently final work (despite not yet well-polished regarding input and output's aesthetics) : UPDATE 20200410 : link to a higher quality video of a test : https://diode.zone/videos/watch/fcfe0564-1035-4bb4-b24a-7f0dd04d943d As introduced before, I haven't changed the core mechanism, which relies on the two following main tricks : using 180-53° liftarms for building the heptagonal structure of the "rotor" (only approximately 2° of mechanical stress per side) central pivot achieved by a pseudo gear bearing (pivot = sun gear ; rotor = planet carrier ; no ring gear) because no 7-beam hub does exist in LEGO and less than 7 beams is impossible because 7 is a prime number (whereas Akiyuki's rotor has 9 sides ==> 3 --double-- beams on a 6-hole pulley) The only changes I made (since the above older pictures) were : on the stator, new support structures for the big "teeth" and a brick-based rear wall (for preventing the rotor from wobbling and jamming) the ball catch mechanism : instead of the previous 3-finger layout (with one moving finger), I switched to Akiyuki's 2-(hollow)finger solution, using old crank parts and the material's flexibility : it takes less room, making the ball catching easier the ball can be pushed in/out in perfectly opposite directions, making it possible to load it at the very bottom and to unload it at the very top Then I managed to build the output ramp and input mechanism (input bin with basic steering + 1-by-1 ball distribution) and to adjust them, after several trial-and-error steps too. (I initially attached all the elements on a baseplate in order to quickly adjust them with respect to each other, before linking them together in the form of a hollow but stiff chassis). The mechanical inputs are a crank (behind the stator) and a motor input (behind the input bin). -
After 2 months of building, here is my latest, biggest, and most complex GBC yet! The Mine I've had an idea in my head for a couple of years now, to build a really solid, fun, and original Human Powered GBC, and this is what I came up with. There are three modes: Fully automatic - where the GBC 'runs itself' Semi Automatic - Humans operate the Detonator, and the Conveyor/Stepper run automatic Fully Manual - One or Two Humans operate both the Detonator, and the Hand Crank Generator. It has a built in bypass lane, so if no one is operating it, balls will continue to flow through to the next module in the layout. Video includes a Behind the Scenes section, as well as a photo diary and commentary of build progress It's been a lot of fun to build (and play with!) and I'm super happy how it came out. It will be shown in public for the first time at Brickvention 2020 in January - Melbourne Australia. -
This lego GBC module uses two gears for the main mechanism, one with 16 teeth and one with 15. This means that the inner gear meshing with the outer one will rotate slowly and in lean from side to side. The balls roll onto the "forks" at the bottom with the use of a timing mechanism which is attached to the main gear. It is a reliable module when it is on a flat table, but it does take some time to set the timing right. I have instructions on Rebrickable here. Hope you like it!
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Finally finished another one ;) This lego GBC module uses a large Lego technic sprocket on it's side to and lift the balls. It is a reliable module and meets the standard, it can hold over 30 balls in the input bin and runs just over 1 ball per second. The mechanism runs a lot smoother in real life then it look in the video, it also runs a bit better slightly slower. You may notice in the video that sometimes it doesn't pick up the full 6 balls. This could be fixed by changing the agitator design or running it a bit slower so that the balls have more time to roll into the sprocket I did not change the design because it is very reliable like this and still meets the standard. Rebrickable. Flickr.
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Hi everybody. This is my first post (except the "members' introduction"). Not being sure if it is the correct way/place to start I at last go into posting about my GBC projects, which are all only at WIP stage now. I already watched and read a lot of GBC resources (events videos, standards, famous modules and builders, balls sourcing hints...), which gave me a few ideas of custom builds, which will be new ideas as well as "remakes". But my work is currently slowed down by a few difficulties when leaving the dark age (getting used to studless building techniques when designing custom only, missing parts despite a huge initial BrickLink investment), so the results would show up bit by bit only. So, for more concrete stuff, my most advanced work is on a compact cycloidal drive, of course inspired by Akiyuki's one, but being a fully custom from-scratch and trial-and-error build. At its current state, only the core mechanism is available and it runs smoothly. However the ball transport (currently built on only one cycloidal "tooth") seems to be the hardest thing to make reliable, and it is not yet the case. A stiffer chassis (with the input bin and agitator + secondary ball transport mechanism will be required too. I'll build it with bricks mainly (when I'll find an opportunity to pick up my childhood stock). The core mechanism features an outer ring of 8 teeth, based on an octagon made up of 6L axles and 135° connectors, and a 7-teeth cycloidal disc (and some associated tricks), resulting in approximately 2/3 the size of Akiyuki's original design. So is my prototype worth a picture right now ? (a few other modules are planned but I built only draft/mock-ups of the core mechanisms now due to the lack of parts.)
