doug72

Step 20:- The 10 L axle relies on friction to stay in place on the trip beam, and over time the beam can get pushed along the axle which can stop the it from reversing the GBC Train cart. There are two type for a 3737 10L axle. Plain & threaded. I have 1 such axle and have used it along with 4 nuts. Works fine and keeps axle secure. Downside is the part was only used in one set (8069) Back Hoe Excavator. Only one for sale in UK @ cost + Shipping £ 5.95 One in Portugal @ cost + shipping £ 14.82 IMG_8983 Or you can use a tab of glue !!!!!!

Build Complete and video made at last ! Fresh batteries installed in the EV3 unit. Train Track extended to 3 lengths. Time to load and unload two 30 ball batches = 53 seconds. Time to make my Contest entry. Video link:- https://youtu.be/OqLku5LJnE0 [TC23]

I have now extended the train track to three lengths. Tested and can transfer two batches of 30 balls in under 60 seconds to the out box. Self Unloading train cart modified to prevent any balls escaping.

Go back to page 25 & scroll down to Feb 12th 2019. to see photos. I have started building following your instructions. Main problem I had was tucking in the pF cables so that don't foul the trip arms & switch.

Looks good. Re Train cart Mod:- Thanks for the instructions and the parts list. The yelow trip beams each side might be a bit too long and could snag on some mobdules. I Wiil build as per your instructions and check it with my various GBC modules. How easy is it to renew the batteries on the underside of the battery box ?

Gives me more time to try and make a decent video, something I am not good at.

GBC Train Ball Lift:- update. The Self unloading train car drops 30 balls into the next modules inbox which is fitted with a retaining gate to hold the balls back. The next GBC module would then open the gate to release 30 balls. If the the lift running in a stand lone mode, the gate is opend by hand to collect & return the balls back the lift in box. Photo of the build showing overall view. GBCTrain Now to make a video of it in action.

Did you get the instruction book as well.

Inbox 2 would actually be part of the next module, into which the Self unloading Train Car empties its balls into. For my set up the balls just roll down into collection box and are returned to in box1 by hand and as the train car returns to the lift it starts the next lift cycle to load next batch of balls.

Not possible to do both sides at the same time. To make a right turn it would require the train reverser to be modyfied to release the train cart t to the right, I did make RH version some time ago.

So is this is correct ? IMG_0308

Which way round do linking moduels run at GBC exibition layouts i.e Clockwise or anti clockwise ? Need this to ensure a 90 Deg corner turn module I am building is in the correct direction.

GBC Vertical Ball Lift using EV3 Control. Proved very hard to control the timing unless i used it in re-circulating mode and impossible if used for loading a train car. I have now tried using an EV3 unit to power & control the ball lift which has proved successful. Overall drive for the ball lift is 56/1 using the 56T turntables. Lift Drive uses a Medium Motor (A) set to 56 revolutions. The lift stops at same place each time. Balls are loaded when the lift arms are at 6 o-clock. and discharged balls when the lift arms are at 12 o’clock And the Medium Motor (A) stops. Tested and lift stops at same place each trip cycle @ 12 o-clock. GBC Train reverser :- Another medium motor “C”is used to drive the reverser trip arm and restart the now loaded GBC train to travel to the unloading point at the next in box, once unloaded a standard train reverser is used to return the empty train car back to the ball lift The lift cycle is re-started when the touch sensor (4) is activated by the arriving empty train car. At the same time the trip beam on the train car hits a cam that pushes the trip beam over just enough to stop the train motor I intend to use a Self Unloading Train Car which able to carry 30 balls each trip and tip them into the next in-box. Hopefully I can fit everything onto one large 48 x 48 studs base plate. Next step make a video and make my entry topic. Photo of present layout. The yellow return ramps will be removed and replaced by a train reverser with train car under the discharge point at 12 0-clock. IMG_8903

Lift now re-configured to recirculate balls back to the in box. Took a lot of time to get a sturdy ball ramp able to allow all balls the roll down into the in box without any hanging up or escaping. An XL motor installed along with a change over switch. Balls re- circulate each trip cycle in approx 35 secs. IMG IMG_8891 IMG_8892 Next step:- make a video. ====================================================================== Now exploring how to use a GBC Train Car to power the lift and transfer balls to the next in box, using a Self “Unloading GBC Train Cart” so it can load up at the lift tower & then transfer and unload into the next inbox. IMG_8894 IMG_8895

The lift can carry up to max. 36 balls per lift cycle. I may enter my GBC module as a stand alone with balls recycling either back to in box or forward onto a the next in box. Also could be used as a corner module with a 90 deg left turn.

Heppu, Now removed the chain of gears and installed a new version with two angle gear casings. No problem aligning the two Turntables to each other and now tested OK with 30 balls per trip 7 x 24 gears & 2 x 20T gears now back in spares parts drawers. IMG_8885

YouTube Video made Next step make entry topic

Heppu, I have made mock up of your suggestion and will fit it tomorrow and test it. Running short of 24T gears !

Thanks for your comments, I will be posting a video soon. Re “Chain of Gears” Chose this method as the beam also provides support to the upper structure to prevent it from spreading. Also has to be as built this way to prevent the lift arms from hitting the beam or gears. Also very easy to synchronise the two turntables. All I need to do is remove one gear and then rotate one turntable to line up opposite the other so that the lift arms are always in alignment with each other. Using small 12T bevel gears with right angle gear cases would be flimsy and more awkward when aligning the Turntables.

================================================== Decided to try again running the lift module powered by a Train Car when on the reverser. The Train car engages with the two 24T gears to drive both the reverser unit and the a drive to the two Z56 Turn Tables which raise & lower the lift. After a few changes to the gearing the lift can do a full cycle in less than 60 secs while carrying 30 balls per trip cycle. Gives same speed as when used a M motor. Now need to alter the trip timing on the reverser to try & synchronise it with the lift.if possible. As soon as train car departs the lift stops General View:- GBC 2 View of drive line & gearing from train reverser to Lift Tower Turntables. GBC 1

Update :- The physical build is complete. Stronger frame added to prevent the two towers from moving. The two Z56 Turntables are connected by a chain of gears to ensure they both rotate together in sync. At loading point in box all 30 balls roll out onto lift OK. The discharge point is slightly higher but all balls roll out into train Car hopper with none spilling. System run on test & M Motor runs very smoothly. Drive:- I had hoped to use an out from the train reverser to run the lift, but even with new batteries in the Train car there was not enough power to run the lift and would have needed several 90 deg turns to replace the M motor. I have used this solution in the past. As the train enters the reverser & docks it activates a PF switch (early version) which is much freer in operation than the later version. As train leaves the the reverser a counter weight moves the PF switch to turn off the drive. Next install train switch and try and synchronise the train reverser with the lift cycle. Images:- IMG_8859 IMG_8860 Now installed the power to drive the module, As train docks power is turned on, Speed of the module is set using a PF Controller. When train departs the counterweight cut power to the M motor. IMG_886 Close up of PF Switch. IMG_8863 The system is a bit temperamental, if the counterweight doesn’t drop. This module could be stand alone in series with other modules or set up to recycle balls back to the in box. Hardest task next - make a video !!

Thanks for your comments. I am Having problems with the Z60 turntable gearing. The 1L worm gear has poor engagement with the teeth on the 60 T gear ring, tried adding extra supports but skipping of the worm gear still occurs when lifting the balls Veiw of Z60 T/T showing extra bracing to the worm drive axle. IMG_8858 Z60 Turn Tables rejected due to worm drive skipping. Z56 T/T - after further changes I am now able to line up the loading & discharge levels.

Stage 3:- Lift Towers. These were built using 5 x 7 frames with guide beams and rollers Vertical beam were added on each 5 x 7 frame to guide the ball transfer platform. The two sides of the Lift Tower had to be well braced. At the top of each tower a worm drive gear box were added. this was driven by an M motor & battery box via a 2 way switch. For testing only one had a worm gear fitted for testing the lift. IMG_8853 IMG_8854 An M motor was temporarily used to test & set the lengths for the lift arms so that balls loaded OK from the In box & discharge OK into the train Hopper. . Some balls tended to “hang” up on the ball transfer platform. after a long search of my spares.I found a 6 x 8 10% slope p/n 4515 which now ensures all balls roll out freely. IMG_8855 The two yellow worm drive gear boxes will be removed & replaced by two 60T turntables to drive the lift arms up and down. These will be driven by the Train Reverser unit when the train car docks. Z60 Turntables. These will replace the two yellow worm drive gear boxes and be driven by the train reverser. The Ball Lift will only run when train is docked and stop as soon as train departs with 30 balls. Hopefully it will be easy to synchronise this !!!!! IMG_8857 IMG_8856 Next Stage 4:- building the lift mechanism.

Stage 2:- build the lift platform to hold minimum 30 balls. It took a while to build the lift platform and prevent it from jamming in the guide rails on both lift towers. Originally I used flip flop beams but these keep snagging on the 7 x 5 frames edges due to the raised lip around some pin holes. See earlier post about this problem. I come up with solution using normal lego parts which works Well. IMG_8843 Lift platform Underside framing. One 7 x 11 frame, Two 6 x 8 studded frames. IMG_8840 Lift arms and sloping plate added. IMG_8842

Yes it will be using the Akiyuki train to drive the lift. For testing the lift I will use a M motor.