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Pinball Plunger Assembly Question
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ahofle:
It would really be nice (and more realistic) if there was a way to map the plunger action in VP to an analog pot.  So it wouldn't be time-dependent, but rather dependent on how far you pulled it back (like a real plunger).
Chris2:
I've never played Visual Pinball. Does the time you spend holding down the button determine the strength of the shot? If so, then it works the same way with my spring suggestion.

1. You pull the plunger back from resting position. The NC microswitch depresses, and VP registers a press of the button. The plastic ring on the plunger shaft is pulled against the inside spring, pushing it against the edge of the control panel. Pressure builds up.

2. The spring tightens, much like on a normal pinball machine. VP is still using the length of time that the button is being depressed to determine how hard the ball will be fired.

3. You release the plunger. The spring releases it's pressure, and pushes the plunger's end back into the microswitch. Now depressed, the NC microswitch registers a release, and VP interprets it as letting go of the button. Ball is launched, plunger is back in resting position, you play the field.

It works in theory at least. The only foreseeable problem is the time and distance that you pull back the plunger being equivalent to it's virtual counterpart. You could measure such things though.


Side Note: You could probably buy a plunger set from a Pinball machine parts manufacturer and adapt it easily to the control panel. You'd already have the spring and everything in there. And if you really want to get realistic, you could make a ramp inside of the panel, going from the side of the microswitch opposite the plunger to the far end of the control panel. Then, you'd place a metal pinball ball inside. Put it so that it rests against the edge of the microswitch that isn't being hit by the plunger. Then, when the plunger makes contact with the microswitch, the ball would be sent up the ramp to the edge of the control panel, giving you the sound of a pinball ball launch in real life, rather than just virtually. Of course, this is kind of overkill and only recommended for extreme cases. I'm not even sure if it'd work that well anyways.
ahofle:

--- Quote from: Chris2 on August 23, 2007, 05:48:03 pm ---I've never played Visual Pinball. Does the time you spend holding down the button determine the strength of the shot? If so, then it works the same way with my spring suggestion.

--- End quote ---

Yes, that's how it works.


--- Quote ---1. You pull the plunger back from resting position. The NC microswitch depresses, and VP registers a press of the button. The plastic ring on the plunger shaft is pulled against the inside spring, pushing it against the edge of the control panel. Pressure builds up.

2. The spring tightens, much like on a normal pinball machine. VP is still using the length of time that the button is being depressed to determine how hard the ball will be fired.

3. You release the plunger. The spring releases it's pressure, and pushes the plunger's end back into the microswitch. Now depressed, the NC microswitch registers a release, and VP interprets it as letting go of the button. Ball is launched, plunger is back in resting position, you play the field.

It works in theory at least. The only foreseeable problem is the time and distance that you pull back the plunger being equivalent to it's virtual counterpart. You could measure such things though.

--- End quote ---

This has been suggested before I believe.  One of the concerns would be the wear and tear of the plunger slamming into a tiny, cheap plastic microswitch (which isn't really designed for that kind of impact).  You'd need to design something that would accept the punishment of the plunger slamming back home and gently press the microswitch.  Also I'm not sure, but microswitch 'bounce' could be an issue.  Maybe some sort of leaf switch would work better?
ahofle:
Ahh this is the thread I was thinking of:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=56978.0

Here is a nifty solution:
http://www.johnsretroarcade.com/hardware_pinball.asp
genesim:
I haven't got a chance to really digest the information here because of my other work duties....grrr.  (Even though it isn't my thread)

But I totally appreciate all the input, and as ahofle points out, it is the wear and tear.

Green Giant,

Yeah it may be a bit busy and perhaps I will just be satisfied with the button, but if I read this and deem it worthy, I will post back.

I do like Pinball, but I have to admit, I haven't even tried Time Warp..etc. with Windows Vista, and I remember needing extra drivers for Windows XP.    I am not a big fan of visual pinmame because I don't think it is "real" enough.

That said, the work that has been put into it, and every new update, gets it even closer.    But the ones I talk about that you get from SlikStik(among other places of course) are really all I need anyway.     I hear Microsofts are pretty good too, but alas, a pluger is more then likely overkill.    BUT if I could get it retracted enough, it may not be too bothersome.

Still you can't get away from Physics..and an MDF panel.  I think eventually it just wouldn't last.    Of course there are the other things, like Driving pedals and kick plates and Qbert Knocker, but I have pretty much ruled those out.    It seems I am coming down to the end of my arcade changes(unless of course there is ever a great push pull spinner), but I still love to hear new ideas of which you guys have give me plenty.   Thx so much.

On a side note, got the Spintrak Spinner, and I am very happy.   It was a tough decision, but I ultimately like my old Slikstik knob more, so that is why I went with it.   

I digress, but were all fans right?   ;D
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