doug72

Same over here now we are on lock down but allowed out once a day for shopping or for excercise. I cycle and did 20 miles around my area today, very warm & sunny. Roads very quiet and an errie silence. The red 40T gears I ordered via Brickowl and have normal friction, think you can get them in green as well. Cost £1.50 each. The train seen in the photo is based on the Akiyuki one with an M motor - I also have some modified with an L motor. It does connect OK with other GBC train modules. Main probelm was getting the counter balance weight OK to allow 30 balls per transfer. Re Swing Loaded took awhile to get it working OK and now works well mechanically when controlled by hand but had proved impossible to sync it with the train reverser. Today I have put the three EV3 motors onto my rebuilt transfer module - see my post on the mindstorms forum about my query about EV3 Touch sensor. I see if can use it to find out to program it and then try it on the swing loader, and replace the M motor which is currently used.& replace it with a large EV3 motot and use a Medium motor to drive the trip for releasing the train. Only problem is train will continue to run to keep touch sensor engaged, but will not move or drive the reverser, until the trip activated and train departs.

Is this sensor momentry or ON / OFF ? Want use it to start the program when GBC Train docks and stop program as train departs or should I use the colour sensor ? Complete novice at programming Have rebuilt & improved my Transfer Crane GBC train module using EV3 motors. I hope to use it to learn how to make it run with EV3. Large motor 1 = Raising & lowering the ball carrier hopper lifting frame Large motor 2 = Traverse lifting carriage between Train and Ball loading point. Medium Motor = Operate train trip reverser. Touch Sensor = start program as train docks & stop programs as train departs. N.B. Train will run continuously while in the dock but wil not power the normal reverser

Yes we had to cancel Mothers Day and just found out our eldest granson (who works in London) has had the virus, was hospilised but has now recovered and is in isolation for a further week. Currently rebuilding my "simplified" version of the Akiyuki GBC Train crane module. I will use it to find out how to programe it !!!! My son brought for me in Xmas 2018 and has sat on top of wardrobe since !!!

Its not just 64 bit, its also the way the programe blocks are stacked. See my topic in Lego Mindstorms & Robots The new EV3 Progamming connects the blocks vertically unlike the older 32 bit which connects blocks horizontally. I have sorted out the mounting of the train dock OK but would need an extra medium motor to trip the reverser mechanism. At the moment I have put on hold your Robot Arm until I can get to grips with how program blocks & their settings are put together as it requires a lot of complex syncronised movements of the arm.. ============================================ I am rebuilding my previous several failed attempts at the GBC Train Crane module which has simpler movements and only requiring one movement at a time. Raise ball carrier / traverse / lower to load balls. // Raise the loaded ball carrier / traverse / lower back onto train unit. It will use two large motors for lift & traverse and the medium motor for the train release trip or use its on mechanical reverser if can sync it with the other movements. Will keep my mind and hands busy during the current crisis. ================================================== I think I will use EV3 for this GBC Train Swing Loader - mecanically it works fine but has proved impossible to syncronise. Would only need one Large EV3 motor for swinging the arms and Medium Motor for the train release trip and would help with learning how to programe it. IMG_7502 by Doug Ridgway, on Flickr

Thanks, found that a short while ago, plus this video which seems to be no. 8 of a series on the new programming system. Will now try and build a program for the @sawyer klegr Robot arm and use it for a train GBC module. Give me something to do during current crisis as new restriction just announced by the UK Government. All pubs, bars, cafe's etc. to close from tonight.

Thanks, I have downloaded that app. but cannot find any instructions on how to build a program.

NO its for MAC OS CATALINA as Apple no longer suport 32 Bit apps. and now in 64Bit for Education & a Home versions and links provided by @Coder Shah

The gear rack housing with its gear rack is vey strong and the new worm fits perfectly.

This works without 1/2 L offset

Heres a couple of screen shots from my computer showing MindStorms app in desktop dock bar and the programming page showing vertical stacking of programe blocks. Note blocks shown are just random to show how the steps are joined vertically. Block selection left hand column

See this post

The EV3 guide book I have shows the blocks linking together horizontally whereas the new apps for education & Home that works on Mac OS Catalina, the blocks link vertically. This may be why I cannot get the program for the GBC robot arm by @sawyer klegr to upload. Does anyone know of a way a way to upload it for thenew 64 bit app.

What computer OS was the programme you provided made on. Windows or Mac. If Mac is it running the latest Catalina OS ? Tried all sorts to input the file onto the MindStorms programing page without success. When I double click the file it opens Mindstorms OK and opens the START page. Attempted to modify the tower lift to hold a GBC Train ball carrier but it is too heavy and over balances so will keep yours. Thanks for your help Doug

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Agree too many car & vehicle related contests. Should be some based on engineeering problems / solutions etc. Nothing to date for a GBC contest.

Downloaded the file to my desk top & the applications folder, file shows in application folder but is not highlighted so won't open. Hopefully my son will be down on Mothers Day and can help. Probably last visit for a few months as over 70's now advise to shun all contact with outside world !!!!!!!!!! Good job I have a loads of Lego to play with. One issue I have come across is using the train to activate the touch sensor. The sensors internal spring pushes the train back a little bit releasing the switch slightly so not sure would work as an ON & OFF switch. If can get EV3 running program OK will probably have to use the colour sensor instead Also probably will require another small EV3 motor to operate the train trip or devise a mechanical way instead,

Have you seen this post

Now downloaded the Home edition for EV3 and opens OK on Mac OS Catalina. https://go.api.education.lego.com/v1/lms-scratch-retail#nourlrewrite I like the click & drag way of building up the required program. I will now try to replicate your program using your flow chart.

Thanks, down loaded the link and it opens OK - had a quick look and programming looks easy with click & drag the required blocks.

Apple no longer support 32 bit files. Re MindStorms. Used it to build the 1st model in the EV3 instruction book but couldn’t figure out the programming. I have taken a screen shot of your program and blown it up and will use that for the programming with help from my son hopefully. Re Train Sensor: I was thinking of using the touch sensor for train to start the program & then stop it as train departs. Thats assuming it can work as an on/off switch. Also need to find a way start the train reverser once balls are loaded. could use a small EV3 motor to drive the train trip rotor direct. I have GBC Train module that uses a PF switch to start a supplementry M motor to run the module which starts the M motor as train docks and stops as train leaves. Train pushes a PF switch ON & a rubber band returns it to OFF, but unable to get it to syncronise with train reverser. If get your module program working will try again with my stalled build. PS: It will give me something to do while we over 70’s get locked down because of the CV19.

Module built as per the intructions with some minor changes due it being built on a studded baseplate. Had problems with the 2 x 2 angle plates falling off, so eliminated them and tied together the beams more securely a seen in photo. Modification for use with Train GBC: Original module output ramp removed and replaced by a GBC train dock reverser unit. The ball bucket lifts high enough above the train ball hopper with the train either end on or at right angles - see photos. Bucket can hold 15 balls so two trips required to meet 30 balls per minute. Need to find a way to sense the train arriving & departing and a way to operate the train reverser trip in sync. Now the hard part learning how to programe the EV3.

Have downloaded the Lego MindStorms Education file which is 64 bit, opens OK just need to see if your link works OK for me, I expect not as your files are proably 32 bit. I will use the block diagram to figure out the program. Build update:- Main frame with two motors buit and starting on the rotating turret next. Fits nicely on the base board.

Jim, just been informed by son who is a software engineer that it does work on the the educational version as it is 64 bit. Just need to find the link now. Found the link and downloaded the 64 bit Education version, opens OK. Can now progress with building & adapting for GBC train use, Sawyer Klegr's GBC Robot Arm

Jim, thanks for the quick reply. Checked that link and as I thought does not work as Lego has not upgraded the files to 64 bit, Had same problem using Big Fish games due to games were 32 bit - they have upgraded most game to 64 bit Time for Lego to catch up.

Does Mindstorms software work on Mac OS Catalina 10.15.3 ?