doug72

Volvo dump trucks at the huge new Amazone distribution warehouse being built on Tyneside. Many other types of construction equipment on site.

As mentioned in the cement lorry topic. As mentioned in the Cement lorry topic. “

Just tested my spare servo motor and found it was off centre by about 3 degs. With battery power OFF connected it directly to the battery box and then switched power back ON. Instantly the servo self centred itself and with all dots aligned OK. Tested with PF switch, PF remote & PF train remote and each time returned to centre OK.

Just ordered 8 new curved gear racks at £0.60 each.

Cracking of LEGO 1/4 Circle Gear Rack (banana gears) I have been checking all my various GBC / MOCs which use these gears and found cracks in several of my older parts from the BWE etc. It seems to effect only the yellow ones as have not found any cracks on the black versions. The gear rack ends thin section with axle hole that connect to the next gear segment have cracked. If you are lucky these can be repaired with Plastic Magic Weld. Has anyone else had this problem? Others which have completely broken off & the gears are now scrap. This problem only seems to effect older yellow gear racks which have become brittle with age. None found on more recent purchases & none on any black gears. I now take particular care when separating these gears and make sure you don't twist them as the 2L axle is pushed out.

What practical use did micro motors have ?

ALL Closed loop systems require some form of power input in order to function. A self contained closd loop is IMPOSSIBLE. Perptetual motion does not exist !!

GBC Train - test layout. I have made a small train GBC layout on our dining table and have been checking all modules for any problems as not used for a while, much hunting of balls resulted. The closed circuit layout shows two trains in action alternately loading & unloading. Components:- 1. Akiyuki Double cross over passing module. 2. TrixBrix double crossover track. 3. Tipper Unloader by Doug72 4. Akiyuki Conveyor Loader - Through Type 5. Train Reverser. All reversers use rubber bands with modified trip arms. Can you spot the errant ball ?

I read somewhere about lightly sanding both sides of new 20T double bevel gears as they see slightly thicker than original ones.

The drum might be useful for GBC modules

Pictures cannot be seen, read FAQ on how to embed them.

Never have any bother removing 2L axles even when push fully in. I use an old screw driver with the tip gound to a fine needle point. Insert point into the gap along the 2L pin and lever out enough for needle nose pliers to grip and then remove the axle. THis does not harm the axle.

Is the input rotatind one way all the time or is ir reversable ? Can you post an image or a diagram of what you want to achieve ?

GBC train reversers use an extra gear with a ratchet arm to ensure that main gear can only rotates in one direction

Why not just use the pole reverser swith on the the remote control ? The little blackslide switch.

Use Flickr.

Still not visible !

Thanks, Transfer Gantry Crane - now speeded up the traverse movement X3 by use of gearing. Solved the problem of train motor running by use of a cam to move trip bar over just enough to stop it until ball hopper back on the train & reverser trip operates. Train reverser with sensor and M motor transferred & used for my swing loader with EV3 control. Had to buy another Medium Motor as Large motor to drive the loader is too big to fit into the existing gear system without major rebuild. Medium motor has ample power. Simple program made and works very smoothly carrying 30 balls per trip. Making the input hopper was the hardest part to get functioning OK without dropping balls. Re Lock down - we have some restrictions lifted now and shops etc are opening.

Nice module, with an interesting drive system. I recently brought two large sprocket wheels, so I have a use for them now.

PP Train GBC - Tipper Unloader Module I set out to make a new version of the unloader module, the starting point was to use this part to achieve my aim. LEGO Green Block Connector with One Half of Wormed Gearbox (32166) x two piece. " Working out the geometry of the swing arms & crank arms took a lot of time to get the loading frame to line up with the train unit and swing up 90 degs. to the discharge point and tip the balls.. Occasionally an errant ball hangs up on the inside of the ball hopper due to a sight lip caused by the edging tiles. Synchronisation: The worm gear box with 40T gear = 40:1 ratio. The train reverser needed modifying to be the same 40:1 ratio Standard reverser is 4 lobe with a 24T / Worm gear = 24:1 ratio. 40:1 achieved by using a 12T / 20T gears. (20 x 24) / 12 with a single trip lobe = 40:1 This meant altering gearing for the train reverser but still keep the blocking ratchet arm holding the 24T gear stationary to allow train to depart. See image of gearing arrangement. The gear axles at A & C or not connected. An easy way to adjust timing synchronisation was required and this was achieved by using a Blue clutch gear and a driving ring. The drive is disconnected manually using this clutch and the trip rotor is adjusted by the timing adjustment knob. Drive to the 40T gear box is by 1:1 gearing using a combination of 12T double bevel gears, 16T spur gears and knob gears. The new LEGO Connector Beam 1 x 3 x 3 (39793) part are ideal for arranging gears at 90 degs. with plenty of mounting holes. Video New unloader model is paired with my High Capacity Loader Module. Train unit uses L motor. Using an M motor the module will run much slower.

Akiyuki Unloading Unit :- Improved entry horns for train ball hopper. The original Akiyuki design was prone to the hopper jamming on entry and/or parts falling off. Parts used are also hard to find. I have devised an improved method using Bionicale Eyes (416619). as guides. These have a taper in both horizontal & vertical planes and locate the ball hopper into the unloading arms smoothly every time. Entry Horns Ball hopper entering the guide horns Parts Required

Train GBC (EV3) Swing Loader. Finally got this completed and functioning OK. A pure mechanical solution driven by the unit train failed after many attempts to get it synchronise. So I decided to use EV3 to control the sequence which works very well. A simple program was devised using:- Touch sensor to detect that train arriving at the train dock/reverser. EV3 Medium motor to drive the swing loader. EV3 Motor to operate the train reverser. Train reverser from my Transfer crane module used with slight modification to plug into the Swing Loader module. Up to maximum 30 balls can be carried with a trip cycle of 16 seconds. Longest task was to devise a way of loading GBC balls and to attach this the the swing loader part due to the 1/2 L offset between Studded & Stud-less parts. The red and Yellow beams locate the ball hopper depending on which way the train entered the train dock. GBC Ball Loading Dock Overhead view:- Side view with carrying frame in train loading position. As train enters the dock it activates the EV3 program and at same time a cam stops the train motor. Swing Arms:- The lifting frame use 4 x white Bionical eyes (416619) to guide to train ball hopper into the frame. These have a taper in both horizontal & vertical planes, The swing arms are designed to keep the frame for carrying the ball hopper approximately level throughout the full range of swing. Several Interlocked gears achieve this. 2x Z56 and 4 x Z60 turntables plus 4 x 36T and 2 x 12 double bevel gears are used. There is a small degree of slack in the gear train that allows the frame to sit down onto the guide beams to load balls. Touch Sensor & Cam to stop train motor running whilst swing loader operates. Train reverser using an EV3 Medium motor to release loaded train unit. EV3 controller Video: EV3 programming steps

You would be better of using the new stronger 8T gears