DIY Crane/Claw Machine build Help

[b0dyr0ck2006]

I'm in the process of building a claw machine for a christmas present with parts I got fromn aliexpress. The kit is fairly straight forward but it didnt come with instructions so I dont know what the dip switch settings are. I have it all built up and powered, the coin acceptor takes the money and it pulses fine as the coin counter registers fine but it doesnt add credits and begin the game.

I'm desperate for some advice please

[b0dyr0ck2006]

[Automark]

maybe try the manufacturer  arcade@bestacc.com.cn (although china, they are probably not even the manufacturer  )

[b0dyr0ck2006]

Thank you for the reply, looking at their website it seems they are more geared towards standard upright arcade stuff. I've been talking to the company that I bought it from and what I can gather is that they produce these kits but don't know how they work or what things do. The best I managed to get out of them were a handful of photos of it wired up. They don't have a clue what the dip switches do. Helpful. Haha.

I have managed to figure out what most of the wires do, there are a few extras and some of which I gather are for a prize drop sensor. I have found reference's online regarding dip switches but none of those seem to relate to this particular board, my first goal is to try and find 'free play' so that I can check the arm works as it should and doesn't foul anywhere. After that, then I can worry about credits.

[b0dyr0ck2006]

A couple of hours of messing about with the dip switches and I can finally get credits added and play the game. Had to swap a few about on the control stick but other than that it seems to work as planned. Now to figure out what combo of dips produces what effect. Groan

[Typefighter01]

Not something I particularly like to play (those games frustrate me)...but kudos for building one...thats actually pretty neat.

If you don't mind, please post a pic of it once completed 

[b0dyr0ck2006]

I'll get some more pictures up of the build as it progresses. I'm against time on this so it wont have the finish I would have wanted but once its been painted it shouldnt look too bad. I found out that I have built the shelf too low and the claw doesnt reach the bottom, so I either have to pad it out to raise the prizes or add a longer string.

[b0dyr0ck2006]

Painted:



I have managed to get it working now although I still am to a loss to what most of the dip switches do. I know what they are meant to do, but I can't find the right combinations. Here is what I have:

[tomsp]

I can't help with the DIP switches, but those pots look to adjust the distances that the claw travels. Not sure about VR4 and 5:

VR1 = forward / backward
VR2 = up / down
VR3 = right / left
VR4 = ?
VR5 = ? extend?

The machine looks great - my wife's crazy about these claw machines; I had no idea DIY kits were out there.

[Typefighter01]

I can't help with the DIP switches, but those pots look to adjust the distances that the claw travels. Not sure about VR4 and 5:

VR1 = forward / backward
VR2 = up / down
VR3 = right / left
VR4 = ?
VR5 = ? extend?

The machine looks great - my wife's crazy about these claw machines; I had no idea DIY kits were out there.

Yeah...those pots are probably limit adjustment and I am almost positive that those dip switches will need to be set to send the correct current and micro stepping to the 3 motors that drive the claw. Generally, but not always (especially when working with a traditional stepper break-out board) switches 1 thru 3 control current, switch 4 will be current on or off when no signal to stepper and 5 thru 8 will control your micro steps (this is assuming the motors that drive it are stepping motors and not just regular mini DC motors).

Actually...looking at some closer pics on Aliexpress, they seem to be just simple DC motors with limit switches, but I see they come in 12V all the way up to 48V, so you might want to hook up a volt meter and see if changing dip switches 1 thru 3 from all "on" to all "off (or a combination of) actually changes voltage. Check the side of the motors and see what their specs are and go from there. If these switches control voltage, then the other switches might control other items like motor speed, holding torque...etc. Once you are sure of the voltage setting, you probably can't screw machine up with the other switches...these are more than likely tweaked by operators to make sure people don't win anything.

These are all just guesses...I am no expert on anything.

Paint looks good...

[Mike A]

Claw machines cheat. Most of them vary the closing strength of the claw from game to game. There is probably a switch for that. Some of them are programmed to loosen up halfway up so it drops your prize. For some reason women are drawn to those things. They (the machines) are evil.

[b0dyr0ck2006]

I can't help with the DIP switches, but those pots look to adjust the distances that the claw travels. Not sure about VR4 and 5:

VR1 = forward / backward
VR2 = up / down
VR3 = right / left
VR4 = ?
VR5 = ? extend?

The machine looks great - my wife's crazy about these claw machines; I had no idea DIY kits were out there.

Pot 1 does forward/back speed
Pot 2 is left/right speed
Pot 3 is up/down
Pot 4 is claw strength
Pot 5 .....

[b0dyr0ck2006]

Switch group A seem to control money in/credits or at least the first three dips. One of the switches in group B controls game time countdown, I can either get 10s, 15s, or 30s. Still working out what is what there. Then logic would suggest group C should control payout and odds

[b0dyr0ck2006]

Got a little helper this weekend

[b0dyr0ck2006]

Am I the only one on here who has attempted this type of build before then? Has no one ever seen these kits or had a play with them?

[b0dyr0ck2006]

For those of you interested, I used:

3 x 8'/4' 12mm ply boards
A box of 200 screws
DIY crane kit from AliExpress
2 x lengths of 10mm pipe
2 x 600mm lengths of angled beading
3 x 1000mm x 600mm 8mm Perspex

No instructions so I have basically built it as I went. It is in three sections for easy breakdown and moving. The top section houses the arm mech, the middle section is the play area and the bottom section is the base which houses the electrical part of it.

[b0dyr0ck2006]

[Typefighter01]

Switch group A seem to control money in/credits or at least the first three dips. One of the switches in group B controls game time countdown, I can either get 10s, 15s, or 30s. Still working out what is what there. Then logic would suggest group C should control payout and odds

Geezus...I couldn't have been more wrong 

Video of the claw working next please 

[markph]

I cant fathom that they would supply this without some sort of installation manual or at least a chart on dip switch functions.
I have purchased 60 in1 game PCBS and they have details on dip switch settings.

By the way what was the cost of the kit in USD?
i have been looking at them and they can be up to nearly $400AUD when postage is added, when you add the cost to buid the cabinet then you be getting close to $700 to build and wonder if you would just be better to buy a good second hand unit.

[b0dyr0ck2006]

I cant fathom that they would supply this without some sort of installation manual or at least a chart on dip switch functions.
I have purchased 60 in1 game PCBS and they have details on dip switch settings.

By the way what was the cost of the kit in USD?
i have been looking at them and they can be up to nearly $400AUD when postage is added, when you add the cost to buid the cabinet then you be getting close to $700 to build and wonder if you would just be better to buy a good second hand unit.

If I remember correctly the 'kit' was around the £200 mark and £170 delivery. Then I got hit with a £60 customs charge and the cost of materials. I think all in I am down about £600, so yes in hindsight it would have been cheaper to have bought a second hand one but on the other hand the other half now has a one off custom built claw machine. It was an interesting project, that would have been made easier if there were some instructions but I got there in the end.

[b0dyr0ck2006]

[b0dyr0ck2006]

If anyone decided to build one of these make sure you find a source of cheap teddies first. I must have spent £100 just on prizes. Haha

[markph]

If I remember correctly the 'kit' was around the £200 mark and £170 delivery. Then I got hit with a £60 customs charge and the cost of materials. I think all in I am down about £600, so yes in hindsight it would have been cheaper to have bought a second hand one but on the other hand the other half now has a one off custom built claw machine. It was an interesting project, that would have been made easier if there were some instructions but I got there in the end.
[/quote]

I know what you mean, there is a lot of satisfaction in building your own project.
Cheers

[a1b2c3am]

Hi
I wanna build a claw machine using a kit. Saw this thread and wonderd:
1. Can you post the link of the kit you bought?
2. Any chance you wrote down the progress? I would like to follow some kind of tutorial and would be happy for any help