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GBC General Discussion
Jim posted a topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale Modeling
Great Ball Contraption (GBC) - General Discussion and Index This is a topic used for GBC general conversation, questions, hints, tips, etc. This first post will be used to maintain an Index of GBCs here on Eurobricks or other websites. Eurobricks topics LEGO GBC 8 + Building Instructions (5 modules - 2 motors) New Akiyuki GBC Instruction Index Other sources Greatballcontraption.com -
This LEGO great ball contraption consists of a module that sorts the balls by its color and a train module that returns the balls to the start. Both modules use Mindstorms EV3s to control the motors. The train EV3 controls and original LEGO RC Train motor using a DIY cable. Enjoy! -
Even though I'm there, there are so many great displays, I always miss things, so I'd like to see your photo albums and/or video collections. Flickr/Vimeo/Youtube/etc
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Inspired by the recently posted video and build instructions here on Eurobricks for Akiyuki's Ball Factory, I have reverse engineered Akiyuki's Cup-to-Cup GBC. It has been built with parts which I had available at the time, so it is a mixture of colours at the moment; The next steps are 1) model it using MLCAD to produce an appropriate LDraw file 2) use BrickLink to obtain the appropriate parts (to reduce the colour mixture) 3) create build instructions using LPub and test them using the parts bought in step 2 4) make the build instructions available for others It will likely be a few weeks before I get to step 4 but once I get there, I will post appropriate links in this topic. Regards, David -
Hey everyone! Here is my new GBC module, designed to operate similar to a ski lift. It uses a single L motor to operate the chain movement. The balls are loaded automatically into the chairs as they rotate around. The hopper can currently only hold five balls, but can be configured to hold more. Here is the video, the building instructions and a link to some additional pictures: Building Instructions: http://www.mediafire...bc_ski_lift.lxf Additional pictures: http://www.brickshel...ry.cgi?f=555913 Enjoy!
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Hello everyone! May I present to you my very first GBC which was built for the Brickvention in Melbourne. I made a short video about it (it is really simple). I had a lot of fun making it and look forward to next year's circuit! And here is a video of the whole contraption: -
After months of building (well, life got in the way) I've finally finished building my biggest, most complex GBC module. It's a hybrid GBC (uses both mechanical and pneumatic functions) of a construction site-like-crane operation. Here's the video. A detailed description of how the crane works is written below The 6 step movement of the crane is done without using any sort of programming and no mechanical timers - it uses 3 differentials (one heavy duty) to power 4 outputs: 1) The crane rotation 2) The crane's claw (a pneumatic switch) 3) The crane's boom (a pneumatic switch) 4) The PF switch used to reverse the motion The 6 step movement: 1) Close the claw 2) Lift 3) Rotate 4) Release 5) Rotate back to original position 6) Lower So how does it work? Differentials send the power to the 'easiest' output. So the first, easiest function is to close the claw (rotating an axle which then changes the position of a pneumatic switch) -to grab the crate The second easiest is to open the boom's pneumatic switch -to lift the crate After that, the crane rotates until it's blocked at it's final position (the drop position). The power is then sent to the PF switch, which reverses the movement: -The claw opens -The crane rotates -The boom lowers Notice how the boom lowers AFTER the crane rotates back to it's original position (while it lifts BEFORE the crane rotates) - this is done so the boom won't lower in the wrong position (where it drops the crate) - a rubber band mounted on the boom's switch makes sure this happens: -It's easier to change the switch to it's lift position than it's to rotate the crane -It's harder to change the switch to it's lower position than it's to rotate the crane back. There are many (really, many) more small mechanisms in this module, but I think it's better to see those in the video :) Thanks for watching! -
hi all im looking for a ball counting program made with rcx code 2.0 its for a conveyor like this one http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=2036337 -
After a hectic summer and fall I have finally found time to build again. I decided to start building a GBC loop, and this is the first module that I came up with. I was slightly inspired by akiyuky's , but the concept is different. I also created building instructions for this module, the only wrong part in LDD is that liftarms holding up the hoppers aren't in place. LDD was being difficult and wouldn't allow me to place the liftarms correctly (even though they fit perfectly on the real module). Anyway, without further ado, here is the video: After Christmas and the New Year I plan on creating more modules, so stay tuned! -
LEGO Friends Wheel Bucket Excavator Great Ball Contraption - the Friendly WBE way to move GBC balls It has been a while since I've made a GBC module. This is something fun for the LUG's upcoming event season. I've been sitting on an idea to use those "scoop" pieces in a GBC for a couple of years. The upcoming BWE finally kickstarted my bum to action. It took some trial and error to get them to work. I may have to do more tweaking once it starts going to events. As GBCers know, what works great at home, does not outside the home. Wheel Bucket Excavator GBC by dr_spock_888, on Flickr I still have to make a suitable ball receiving/loading bin. I am not sure the events GBC coordinators will let me use the lid from a take out order of french fries. -
Saw this video today.... Just had to post. Simply amazing. Honestly, I post as a potential GBC in Lego jocularly. Not sure all elements in Lego can behave in such a manner as to make this possible. But what fun if it could! Would be another great group project. -
here is an unfinished entry for the contest, photos to come soon 9v system
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Hi guys. I have begun construction of my newest GBC module, and I've decided to try sharing my journey with you. I am aiming to make a projectile launcher, that will get the balls across the gap between two tables, a distance of about one meter. I have considered two approaches: contra-rotating wheels as in a bowling machine; or impact from a moving lever, like someone taking a golf shot. After an afternoon playing around with contra-rotating wheels, I decided that the moving lever had more chance of success. As most of my structural elements are currently tied up in display models and other GBC modules, I decided to use the one set I have that isn't either built or assimilated into my collection - a 8110 Unimog (no longer MISB because I had already raided it for the pneumatic pump). As a result, I would like to see if I can make this from only the parts in this set - because this wasn't going to be hard enough already! Here's a very quick rendition of what I've got so far: The part on the end of the arm is the rubber 2-length liftarm, because I thought it would make for a gentler impact on the balls. I plan to raise the balls vertically into the path of the arm just like they do at some driving ranges. In order to get a rate of ~one ball/sec I'm probably going to have to build two or maybe even four of these things side by side. I do have a couple of questions I'd like to ask the forum: When using shocks like this, should I stop the movement of the arm before the shock expands fully? Or will the shock handle the sudden stop by itself? Has anyone built a reliable projectile module that shoots over such a large distance? I don't remember seeing one online anywhere, though I've seen plenty that cover smaller distances. I fear that at this range precision is going to become an issue. How should I prime the arm? I need to allow for quick release, and automatic re-arming. Is there any other mechanism I should consider? Like perhaps a centrifugal gun? I'll keep you all updated on how I progress. Owen. -
Hello Eurobricks, I'd like to present you with a collaborative build that I made with BrickJunky for Brickworld Chicago. The idea was to present our interpretation of a themed GBC (Great Ball Contraption), though this build does not follow the established standards for a GBC. For those unfamiliar, a Great Ball Contraption is essentially a machine that moves balls from one place to another in creative ways. We were incredibly honored to be nominated for Best Mechanical build at Brickworld and I'd like to thank everyone who came up and talked to us at the event. It was my first Brickworld and I was blown away by the support from everybody! In particular I'd like to thank Steve Hassenplug and everyone from the GBC section for their help and support and we look forward to incorporating a similar build into the actual GBC layout! Be sure to watch the video! Enjoy!
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I displayed this GBC at an event a few weekends ago in Adelaide, Australia. The engine you see at ~48 seconds is a W16, but you can only see the top 8 cylinders because of the camera angle. Some questions to anyone who has participated in those large group GBCs that you find on YouTube, the ones with a hundred modules. Do they run the whole weekend non-stop? Or periodically (like, for 10 minutes every hour)? Or just once, for half an hour or so once it's all been put together? If it's not "just once", how do you manage modules that might not be quite as reliable as they should be? Or is it just me that has issues with reliability? Conversely, if it's not "non-stop" how do you manage crowd expectations? Is there one person who's in control, and can order a troublesome module to be removed from the Contraption? Or do all the builders need to be there the whole time in case something goes wrong with their module? Again, this is something of a moot point if making reliable modules is easier for everyone else than for me. Owen.
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Hello I finally finished working on my new GBC loop. It has 5 modules: Pneumatic Tower http://www.eurobrick...35#entry1768940 See-Saw http://www.eurobrick...54#entry1716090 Android GBC Counter (V1.5) http://www.eurobrick...43#entry1684650 Drag & Tilt http://www.eurobrick...topic=85411&hl= Marble Pump V3 (no topic) -It uses 6 M Motors (the pneumatic tower takes 2 as I don't have an XL motor) -There are 30 balls on the track. -The GBC counter app says the amount of balls per second is 1.1. Not much to add... Enjoy the video :)
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One for the structural engineers out there... I am building a structure to support my latest GBC module. I have vertical supports, and a horizontal cross-member. I am using a 12-long brick to form a 6-8-10 triangle to maintain the right angle between the support and the cross-member (thank you Pythagoras!). But which is the best way to do it? In the red version (on the left), the 6 side is horizontal, and the 8 side is vertical. In the blue version, it's the other way around. Which one should I use? Or are they equivalent? Under which circumstances should I use one over the other? In this case, the brace will be under compression (holdling something up). Would the answer be any different if it was under tension (holding something down)? Thanks Owen. P.S. The forces involved are not great, so I'm certain that either one would suffice. I'm just curious about whether one is better than the other. I'd settle for which one is more asthetically pleasing.
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Hi I've made a GBC ball counter which uses an android smartphone and an app I wrote in order to detect and count GBC balls. Iv'e done this before (here), but this time I tried something different: counting the balls directly from the GBC track, without a special module. The counter uses the phone's camera to scan a row of pixels (most of them positioned on the track itself). If it detects a drastic change in one of the pixels' colors, it registers a pass and does some calcucations (such as balls / second). It also waits 200ms before scanning for balls again, so the counter won't register the same ball twice. Also included is a small algorithm that will ignore changes in lighting, to prevent false positives. More information: - 100% accuracy rate - never misses a ball or counts the same ball twice - Can handle up to 5 (!) balls per second, which is 5 times more than the GBC standard - The app uses the camera preview mode (~20 fps) - Coded in Java for android devices. I hope you'll like it :)
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Hello! I finally had the time to finish building & filming my new GBC module. It uses a single switch and 2 cylinders. Because the air will always go to the cylinder which job is easier, the movment sequence works perfectly with one switch. 2 PF M motors are used to compress and change the switch's position, (2 because one PF M was too slow and I don't have an XL motor) It was very hard to build the body of the crane as the cylinders try to "escape" from turning the gears. Here's the video. Not very long as I will also show this module on my next GBC loop
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I found this new video by LEGO, which contains an interview with Akiyuky as well as some of his modules and a sneak peek to a new module :) It was uploaded about 30 minutes ago - I think you'll enjoy it.
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Great Ball Contraption (GBC) - Index This first post will be used to maintain an Index of GBCs here on Eurobricks or other websites. Eurobricks topics GBC General Discussion LEGO GBC 8 + Building Instructions (5 modules - 2 motors)
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Hi everybody, here is my new GBC module, using a particular "In basket" following and improving an idea of Platystick (a Techlug member) : the balls fall out of the basket by its side, no possibility of locking. The six-arms wheel system is already known for a long time. The chassis is optimized, the mechanics very simple : M-motor, 16t-20t, and on the one hand, worm gear-8t for the in-basket, on the other hand worm gear-24t for the 6-arms wheel. The module can be used in a classic GBC circuit just moving a flex axle (the same as the four on the 8285 front racks), then the balls are redirected to the end of the module using the ramp which isn't usend in the video :) -
Hello! This is my new GBC module,named See-Saw. It uses one M motor to move the swing (using a crank). The ball input has 2 barriers which are opposed to each other (when one is up,the other is down),so only 2 balls can enter the swing at once. That's it,I think that seeing a GBC module is more fun than reading about it,so here's the video - Thanks for watching!
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For Brickfete 2016 and the Friends contest, I made a Friends-ly tree slide GBC module. The input and output are to GBC standards so it should play nice with other GBC modules. During the event I had make various modifications and fixes. Although, it worked great at home. I think I got the bugs out of it now. It had pretty good response and feedback from girls and moms. LEGO Friends Tree Slide GBC Module by dr_spock_888, on Flickr Watch the balls climb up and slide down.
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Looking for another GBC to build I downloaded the excellent instructions by Paul Verbeek for building his GBC # 5. This was built as per instructions but as I only had one 40T gear I had to use for the 1st stage reduction a 36/12T gear combination, giving an overall gear reduction of 15:1 instead of 25:1. Many of my studded parts are quite old & worn. When the contraption was run the increased cycle rate caused it to fall apart !! Decided to build a stud-less version and eliminate the double gear reduction which was replaced by a simple 24:1 worm gear unit directly driving the crank arm. Instead of using the ball loading device shown in the instructions I used the same ball loading gate as used on my GBC #1 - Bucket Wheel Lift. Getting the trip lever geometry right took a lot of attempts to perfect ! Ball return run is only temporary until I build a 4th module (vertical lift ?) and link them all together. The only non lego part is the 56L x 28L base plate by Play BLOX from Wilco at £3.50 - approx 1/4 equivelant lego price. See video which is best with sound Off. [m.e.d.i.a.] [/m.e.d.i.a.]Doug
