Tilt for Future Pinball

[shilmover]

Hey all,

I am building a "mame" pinball.  I found a circuit for building a plunger, but I would also like to have nudge/tilt without buttons (IE, i want to be able to nudge the Pinball cab for it).

I am sure some have done this...  any idea how to do that?

[HaRuMaN]

Use a real tilt switch.

[shilmover]

Use a real tilt switch.

okay.  

I am new to pinball, so I cant say I have even seen a tilt switch other than in a video where it had a big metal weight that moved around when the pin was nudged...  Does it have three switches on it?

[HaRuMaN]

AFAIK, it's just two wires...  one attached to the big weight, the other wire is attached to the ring that the weight can move around freely in.  If the weight touches the ring, it completes the circuit.

[Jeff AMN]

Use a real tilt switch.

That will only register tilts, not nudges.

There is a nudge sensor out there. You can buy it here: http://www.nanotechent.com/mot-ionkit.php

[shilmover]

AFAIK, it's just two wires...  one attached to the big weight, the other wire is attached to the ring that the weight can move around freely in.  If the weight touches the ring, it completes the circuit.

okay.  thx...

[shilmover]

Use a real tilt switch.

That will only register tilts, not nudges.

There is a nudge sensor out there. You can buy it here: http://www.nanotechent.com/mot-ionkit.php

I saw that, but at $140...  I also know someone that has it and they recommended I dont buy it.

[RobbyMac]

A related question...
With a build involving a 42" or so lcd monitor, like some of these pinball cabs Ive seen being built, is an actual tilt/nudge mechanism even an option? I do not own any flat screen tv's, so I am unsure of how well of a mounting they get, if it's likely to bust a monitor if someone is nudging/tilting the table alot.
My guess is, it's probably better to have buttons doing the work rather than risk damaging the monitor. But it never hurts to ask

[HaRuMaN]

So use two tilt switches.  One for tilt, and one for nudge.  Build the one for nudge with a tighter tolerance (smaller ring), so it will close first, and if you bump it really hard, then you'll activate your tilt switch.

[Jeff AMN]

So use two tilt switches.  One for tilt, and one for nudge.  Build the one for nudge with a tighter tolerance (smaller ring), so it will close first, and if you bump it really hard, then you'll activate your tilt switch.

The problem is determining the direction of the nudge. You need to be able to nudge left, right, and up.

[HaRuMaN]

ok.  so 3 tilt switches then... lol...

One for right / left, one for up, and one for TILT

[shilmover]

You know.... this is kind of a crazy idea, but it really wouldn't take a whole lot to convert a tilt sensor into a nudge mech.  Set the pendulum as the ground and isolate three areas of the ring.  As the pendulum whacks the ring, it'll complete the circuit to three inputs.  With a really tight tilt setting, it wouldn't take much to simulate the nudges.  

You might have to build a circuit to cut out inputs for a few seconds after each nudge so you don't get a lot of chaotic bounce....

Shouldn't be any problem shaking a cabinet with a TV in it so long as your construction is rigid enough.

I like that...  I will have to try it...  Anyone have a tilt mechanism for sale cheap? 

[HaRuMaN]

You should be able to make your own for fairly cheap...  a wire coat hanger, and a lead weight from some fishing tackle...

[RobbyMac]

Forgive me as I am new to pinball mechanics, and I have zero experience with virtual pinball.
Are the tilt/nudge mechs operated by an on/off switch? or can it be anaolg?
I'm wondering, would it be possible to rig a mouse inside the cabinet in some way to track nudging or tilting.

[Dazz]

I'm in the same boat right now in looking at different modes for tilt/nudge on my HyperPin build.  We have a couple threads on the HyperPin forums regarding this.  Below are several that have been discussed:

1. Wii remote via Bluetooth and Glovepie script. The accelerometer in the Wii mote would feed info to the PC in regards to the bump/tilt action.

2. Ultimarc UHID-G. This too is an accelerometer that detects motion and subtle bumps.  I already have one of these and will be testing it shortly.

3. Tilt buttons - basically just extra buttons on each side and front of the cab. Press button = bump/nudge.

4. Tilt bobs and slam switch from a real pinball cabinet. These would be tied into my keyboard encoder that hooks to the PC and interfaces all of the controls. The tilt bobs would be taped off one one side so it doesn't make contact when the opposite direction is bumped.

5. Nudging lockdown bar - This really seems like one of the best solutions. The lockdown bar is the bar at the front of a pinball cabinet that locks the glass into place. One of the HyperSpin site members drew this up and it looks like it would work quite well.  I'm thinking about trying this, but I have no welding skills and I'm wondering if JBWeld would hold well enough for something like this. 



6. NanoTech Mot-ION - This is probably the most expensive way to go. Unfortunately the reviews of the product have been less than stellar.

As far as my pinball plunger goes... I'm going to have both a real pinball plunger and also a launch ball button. My pinball plunger is configured using a custom optical switch.



BTW - If you are not a member yet; you should join the HyperSpin-fe.com site for our HyperPin section.  This is one of the best resources online now when it comes to digital pinball builds.

[shilmover]

Thanks for the info...  I am on the HyperPin forum, but I have not spent much time there...

What optical sensor did you use?

[billpa]

You can most certainly use regular tilt bobs/mechs...2 actually (or three to add front nudge).  The way FP and VP tilt is when you nudge too much ie too many nudge key presses. So basically the nudge (although not realistic) is more of an on/off event than an event that has several levels of intensity (like a real nudge).  Chriz99 has a great setup. You can see the photo below.



Take a look at his huge build thread over at the HP forums for more details. His pin is by far the best machine I have seen.

http://www.hyperspin-fe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4826&page=20

[shilmover]

Thanks...  That's awesome! 

I picked up a cheap tilt bob mechanism on ebay yesterday, so I will have some testing to do 

[Kurt]

I have tested tilt bobs with an i-pac after seeing Chriz99 setup and it works very well providing you tape it off so you get left and right nudges everytime.

The other cheaper option that ive seen afew people use is mercury switches that im yet to test.

[shilmover]

I just ordered one of these:

http://www.u-hid.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1

[Jeff AMN]

I like the tilt bob idea with the tape. It seems like that's going to provide the absolute most realistic feel and accuracy, so that's the direction I'll take when I build mine.

[Jeff AMN]

This is pretty crazy.



That's not a real pinball machine...it's running VP9.

[Dazz]

I just ordered one of these:

http://www.u-hid.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1

I have one of these...  After messing with it, I don't think it's sensitive enough for a full sized pincab.  I ended up going with the 3 tiltbob solution.