doug72

Thanks, I can download the program file but cannot open it. I am using Mac OS Catalina which is unable to open 32 bit files. I will ask my son for help. Busy sorting out all the parts required to build this, with some on order for the 8 x 6 technic frame with center hole. I will build it on 28 X 52 baseplate ( non Lego ) but very usefull. I will see if I can mod the tower and lifting arms to lift a train ball hopper with 15 or possible 30 balls ! I will test it using an M motor first. One issue is that when the train arrives it will continue to run in order to activate the reverser trip to release the train when loaded. This means syncronising the train with the EV3 module. Thoughts are to disconnect the train drive to its train reverser and drive the reveser part using the small EV3 motor ( reverser to have 4 trip arms ). Or use small EV3 motor to trip the train directly. My current GBC Train Swing Up & Over module with supplementry motor, is on hold as cannot syncronise it - possibly if learn how to use EV3 i could adapt it for EV3. I think this will be a long term project. P..S My build will be multi coloured as limited stock of studded parts !

Thanks for the programming code. At the moment I have used your instructions to build the tower for raising and turning the arm to see how it could be adapted for GBC Train loading. I will use your input hopper with lifting gate. Have yet to decide if use your rotating ball carrier box or use the existing train unit ball carrying hopper. Probaly needs 2 or 3 trips to fill train the hopper with 15 or 30 balls which would be released by its own mechanical reverser. Also a way to sense the train would be required to activate the loading & stop it as train leaves. May be too heavy if try to carry 30 or 15 balls per trip, but would only need two functions for lift & swing the ball carrier For my proposed build need to lift ball carrier up off the train unit by 2 or 3L. Then swing it round 180 degs & lower to base level to load the balls. Then reverse the movement back onto the train. If it proves to be too heavy then use your rotating box to load the train. Train to be released using a GBC reverser unit or use the small EV3 motor to drive the reverser instead of from the train car. I have been trying on & off for some time now to achieve this mechanically with very limited success. Think it will take a long time to build and if I get stuck with programming I will have to call on my son to help as he is a software engineer, who gave me the EV3 as a Xmas gift.

Looks good, It should be possible to adapt it for use with a Train GBC module with a position sensor when train car is in loading postion. I have an EV3 set but have not got to grips with using it yet ! Are the programing steps available ?

Second Edition pages:- 32 /104 / 106 to 109

There is a whole section on how to use PF switches for various functions in Sariel's Technic Builders Guide.

Train GBC with supplementary drive motor. Progress has been very slow getting the mechanics working smoothly but was finally achieved. Controlling the movements when using a separate drive motor has so far not been successful. Conclusion is that using a separate drive motor and controlled by PF switches is even more difficult than mechanical solutions. See image: Switch A = power supply Switch B Train arrives and pushes PF switch ON which supplies power to Switch C At same time the train starts the reverser unit which has one trip arm with 72:1 reduction. Switch C Driven by train reversing unit, with 96:1 reduction to control the direction of the M drive motor. The switch is operated by a push rod with stops and gives a short dwell period as it changes over. If I can get it to synchronise the lash up of PF cables will be tided up !! Suspect the ideal solution would be to use an EV3. I received one for Xmas 2018 but have only used it once !!!! Comments / ideas welcome.

For GBC builds I use the large Lego Chain links which are stronger, but are wider at 2 studs.

See Forum guidelines on how to post images and this also

I have just built this from the photos without the 12T double bevel gear and it does then rotate freely.

What are the inputs & outputs and what are you building ?

Are you a tidy or an Un-tidy Lego Technic builder ? I am OK when building Lego sets with numbered parts bags and following printed or downloaded instructions. Sets without numbered bags, I sort out before starting to build in to various containers for: beams, gears, axles, panels etc. When building MOCs that usually go through several stages of trial & error and re-builds, I tend to be un-tidy in that any discarded parts are consigned to a large tray and not to their correct storage drawers etc. About once a week I then have a big sort out and return parts to their correct storage locations. With GBC module testing I also go hunting for lost balls !! Its amazing where they hide.

Speed now increased by changing the 12/20 drive gears to 16/16. Improved input hopper with control gate devised with throughput now tripled to an average of 9 balls per lift cycle = 27 per train trip. Images how the various postions of the control gate during the transfer cycle which takes approx 15 secs per lift. Ball ramp to the lift improved with measures to stop erant balls from escaping !! This module could be used in a GBC loop without the train reverser by using a M or L motor to drive it. An output collection hopper would be required. IMG_7447 IMG_7448 IMG_7449 IMG_7450

GBC Train: New Loading Module (MOC) (Success) (Video) Success after a heck of lot of trial and error, with lots of adjustements !! Gave upon trying to arrange a loading input hopper in line with the lifting chute. Instead I mounted it at right angle for side loading onto the lifting chute. At present only loads 3 balls per trip but train trip set for 3 cycles before releasing the train = 9 balls per train trip. I hope to devise a input hopper cabable of 6 balls per cycle = 18 balls per train trip. Input hopper meets GBC requirments with enentry 10 L high X 10L wide. If made wider would be easy to increase ball rate. Needs further work before I will be satisfied. i.e. it needs a faster running speed, its gear down 12/20 at the moment. Video below: Hopefully it has downloaded OK, You Tube changes make it harder to download now. If you can't see it please let me know.

GBC Train: New Loading Module (MOC) (Help) I have built a new method of loading balls using a ball chute that swings up and down - see photos. Works fine with the drive taken from the train unit reverser. Timing is not required as chute movement stops as soon as train departs. The ball chute is swung up & down by 4L crank arms driven via worm drive & a 40T gear. There also is no need for a reverser for raising & lowering the ball chute. However I have hit a big snag. How to construct a suitable loading input hopper. Due to the large swinging radius at the loading end, to use a standard 10 x 10 x 10 GBC hopper doesn’t line up as the bottom of chute swings away at its lowest point, leaving a gap of 4L for balls to jump across !!! Have tried a sliding gate arrangement with partial success, but had problems with parts fouling each other. Possible a semi rotating drum would work to control the ball loading. Does anyone have some suggestions & ideas on this. See photos which show the problem. IMG_7432 IMG_7431 IMG_7435 IMG_7425 Possible Sliding gate or rotary drum idea IMG_7436

I used a z28 turntable beween the ball car & the train unit, for my through rotary dumper with Akiyuki reversers at each End.

Nice dumper, How are the cars coupled so they can rotate in the dumper, magnetic or other . I will stick with PF and mechanical solutions as no intention of using PU

Nice idea , look forward to seeing it running.

Found this which has lots of modules listed :- https://lawriege.com/resources/instructions/

Are there any books on building GBC modules that would be helpfull for begineers ? Searched on line but couldn't find any.

There’s another book on “Cars and Contraptions”which is also very useful for ideas etc.

Thanks for the info. The red bit has 4V on it.

Recently found this motor in my Grandchildrens Lego Boxes. Can't determine what voltage it is. Is it rare ?

I have turned the diff around and it does indeed give 19 :1 ratio.

Correct I think ! All I know having built them they work.! The book is a mine of info for practicable solutions for gear ratios, step / step down / exact numbers.

Now built a 1:13 and a 1:17 gearbox as shown in the Yoshinto Isogawa Machines & Mechanisms book. Both give the exact ratios. I have no idea how these gear ratios are obtained !! The 1:13 uses planetary gear with a Z56 turntable which gives 1:4 ratio - so 13 / 4 = 3.25 So the other external gears must counter rotate the planetary gears. Note the Z28 turntables must be used, won't work with the new 28T gear which has a cross hole.