doug72

Images not showing

Every other previous TC contest has had a set of criteria to abide by in order to enter the contest, so why should a GBC contest be different ! As GBC follows certain guide lines that should be sufficient. Beware GBC is adictive.

I watched a GBC loop at a Lego show at the Shildon Train Museuum last year that used manual return of balls but most ended up on the deck or jammed modules. Many use the GBC Trains system to return balls back to the start of the GBC loop. A return inclined chute from last module to the first mofule is also possible. I would suggest a standard base size be adopted with a single motor to drive everything, max 48 x48 or 32 x 32 or 16 x 32 for smaller modules. One of my first GBC MOCs was on a 32 x 32 baseplate with four different sections in a loop. Perhaps the guidlines regarding GBC ball input box etc. should be posted in an entry topic so anyone new to GBC can enter.

A lot ogf GBCs modules use a mixture of system parts, brick, studded & studless

Me if train GBC included.

Lack of progress !!! The train does not have enough power to run the module due to the train axle 8T gear skipping on the 24T gear on the train reverser. Therefore the supplementary motor is required, now tested with an M motor to run the module reverser and can lift 30 balls OK. Train reverser modified so that as the train arrives it pushes the PF switch to ON to start the M motor. At end of cycle as loaded train departs, the switch returns to OFF using a rubber band and counterweight. Checked number of turns required to swing the arms each way & found it is 38 revolutions. If this could be reduced to 36 turns then should be possible to synchronise the module. To achieve this I lowered the centre height of the Z60 Turntables by 2L. Timing the module:- Drive to swing the arms is 72:1 Modified the train reverser trip also to 72: 1 ratio using 36T double bevel gear & 1L worm gear with a 2:1 stage. using 12T & 24T gears. i.e. 36 x 2 =72 To adjust the timing to release the train the 2:1 reduction is dis-engaged by sliding a red bush & 12T gear out of engagement with the 24T gear. The 24T gear then used to adjust the position of the rotor trip arm. Once set the 12T gear & red bush are slip back in place with 24T gear. If it does proves impossible to synchronise the module I will revert to a push rod trip to make train depart. New Problem:- Found the 24T gear rubs on the baseplate studs - so the whole train reverser was raised by 1L. This also helped with achieving the 36 turns in both directions. As the cradle that holds the ball carrier is free to swing, two locating beams were fitted for the cradle to sit on in the correct position allowing train with ball carrier to dock smoothly. Also fitted two rubber 2L bushes to the cradle holes to grip the ball hoper to prevent movment while in transit. The inlet track was also fitted with two 4L rack sections & 2 4x1 tiles, with side guides to assist train entering & leaving. At the loading point 4 beams are located on the base plate for ball carrier to sit on which ever way round it is for loading balls. 2 x 2 with centre stud plates had to used to get correct 1/2 L positioning. Reverser built for the module swing arms using the M motor to power it tested manually back & forward & OK Next steps: Install a drive from the train reverser trip rotor axle to reverse the direction of the swing arms correctly at loading point and at the train departure. This requires a 1:2 step gear ratio. Build a suitable ball inbox to load the ball carrier with max. 30 balls per trip. So far no balls have been lost !!

Came across this suspended Lego monorail on You Tube. Not sure it has been posted before but if it has unable to locate it on this thread. Seems to work well.

I find with any MOCs I build it is usually 2 steps forward, one step back until you are happy. Quite often you are happy but later on in the build a new problem arises and you need to back track again ! When I get completely stuck it is usually means a total strip down and start again, learning from past mistakes.

Train GBC Swing Loader Resurrected (WIP) Mark 3. The Mark 1 version failed as I was unable to synchronise the module with the train reverser. The MK 2 version using EV3 was successful but against the spirit of GBC for modules to be self driven by the train car. Mk 3 version currently in development and will use a different way of controlling the movements required using a modified train reverser. Initially I tried a rack drive system as per the incline GBC ball lift but it did not have enough power to raise a fully loaded ball container with 30 balls. Progress to date:- Towers built & tested for the swinging arms built along with worm drive mechanism. Worm drive system:- This uses a pair of LEGO Block Connector with One Half of Wormed Gearbox (32166) These provide a very strong gearbox but the 1/2 L problem needs to be accommodated when building into a studless frame structure. Four gear ratios are possible depending on which gears & turntables are used. Worm drive with 24:1 reduction and a 24T gear meshing with a Z56 Turntable = 56:1 Worm drive using 24T gear and a 20T gear meshing with Z60 Turntable = 72:1 Worm drive using a 40T gear with 20T gear meshing with a Z60 Turntable, 120:1 - slightly harder to mount onto the towers. Worm drive using 40T gear and a 24T gear meshing with a Z56 Turntable = 93.3r :1 I have settled on using the 72:1 gear ratio. At first will try to drive the swing Loader direct from the reverser. If this insufficient then I will use a supplementary PF motor, either M or L type. L motor shown in photo only for testing swing cycle and has proven can carry 30 balls per trip using either M or L motor. Reverser modifications:- Old type PF switch with polarity switch added. Train triggers the switch & starts the motor starting as train docks into the reverser. Trip Rotor Clutch:- If possible I intend NOT to try & synchronise the system. The drive to the trip rotor has a normally dis-engaged clutch. When the ball container is back onto the train, the swing arms contact a push rod which engages the drive to the 4 arm trip rotor to release the train, as train departs the supplementary motor stops. Next stages :- Mount everything onto a base plate & try direct drive from the train reverser then M motor & L motor. Find a way to reverse the system once balls loaded.

All MOCs can be improved if left for awhile and then looked at again. During Lockdown I have reviewed all my TRAIN GBC MOCs, In most cases just some minor tweaking required & tidying up. Some others that did not perform have been dismantled to use parts for new builds. Currently attempting to resurrect two failed builds having now identified the problems they had. Both are currently being completely re-built from scratch and will fully tested at each stage before moving on. Major task is controlling them mechanical rather than resorting to using EV3. One option is to use a supplementary PF motor to drive the module if train does not have enough power to run it. The train reverser to control all the required actions and stop & start the motor. Helps pass the time during lockdown no. 3 !! At least once a week I tidy up my Lego room and return discarded parts but into their correct storage drawers.

You could possible use several of these for the cutter drum. lego-propellor-8-blade-5-diameter-41530-60591-27-771523

re Planer:- The cutter drum is well hidden from sight & discharge conveyor is fully enclosed. Interesting machine to watch operaterating, needed two men to control it, the whole unit machine can raise & lower on the two track units to set the cutting drum depth.

PF Switches for GBC Train cars. These are unobtainable from Lego & most sellors show an image of the older type but send you the newer type without the small black switch. Recently I found a UK seller that had 7 correct ones for sale. After contacting the seller to confirm they had the small black polarity switch, I ordered two which arrived today along with other lego gears I required. Delivered in 2 days from order. items tested OK & appear to be unused.

Outside my house this morning , road planner at work preparing for re-surfacing the road over next 5 days. The planner has potential for good Lego Technic model, the two sets of catapillar tracks that can turn independantly and planner can steer in any direction including sideways.

THIS TOPIC IS GETTING BORING.

Great work in reverse engineering that GBC module. I have been trying for ages to get a Train GBC Crane module working without success - this might be just what I am looking for to control it. I had another attempt during our 3rd. lockdown but I think it is over complicated, Your version looks simpler but do you think it would lift a fully loaded train ball container back onto a train car ? If not, should be able to adapt it to load balls into the train direct. Possibly train powering it may not be enough, so a supplementary motor may have to be used. I have devised a way to restart the train car without the need for timing synchronisation.

Totally agree, the pre-annual reviews etc. clog up the front page, pushing more interesting topics out of sight Reviews were made After a new model is actually official released, endless speculations are a waste of time. Be patient and be satisfied with things, if you don,t like a new Lego release, don,t buy it.

Thank you for quick reply, yes thats the part I have. Provides a strong way to send a drive two ways using 12T DBG's gears. I will order 2 on my next lego shopping list, their only 2 pence each !

Can anyone identify this part & its Lego number ? I think it is possible a bionical piece. Can hold 3 x 12T double bevel gears and very useful for a GBC module I am building.

Bring back PF, instant playability. Switch on battery boxes, pick up tactile controllers and play.

Looks good, can you post a closer image or video of the red input stepper unit, might be useful for a Train GBC.

Correction:- Last image on previous post (1:2) is wrong, should read 2:1 gearing for train trip to make train run for two bucket trips.

Improved Vertical Bucket lift with new Video:- During Lockdown No. 3 I decided to build a more compact vertical Ball lift based on my previous incline version. This had issues with aligning various components onto a studded base plate due to 1/2 stud off sets etc. Also took up a lot of space. Building the vertical lift took several attempts before I was happy with it. A stronger combined right angle gear box and worm gear box using a 24T gear with 3L crank arms to move the Lego Rack back and forwards to raise & lower the bucket. A 12T gear engages with the gear rack to drive to the lower sprocket wheel. The gear rack uses the new gear rack with housing. LEGO Housing 2 x 15 x 3 for Gear Rack (18940) LEGO Gear Rack 14 x 2 with Groove and Connectors (18942 / 60578) The vertical lift uses two XL sprocket wheels with track links, the track link is fitted with tensioners to prevent links skipping on the sprocket wheels and allows a degree of movement for the bucket to line up with the loading input box. The input box meets GBC regs for inlet height of 10L and uses a tilting deck to release balls into the bucket and at same time prevent any more balls loading. Bucket can carry 15 balls per trip. Train reverser is adjusted to make two loading runs so easily meets 30 balls per minute. Timing adjusted by sliding the black 12T gear out of engagement and then use the 24T gear to set the reverser trip arm to operate just after 2nd bucket lift has discharged into train hopper box. I Timing gear ratio should be 2:1 in order for two trips to be made by the train car & carry up to 30 balls per trip cycle.

If it was made by LEGO, be that current items or from the early days and parts connect to each other without force or modding, then can see no reason why you cannot use them !