That's How I Roll! (Skeeball build)

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Xiaou2:
You could possibly skip the solenoid, and use a motor setup.

A motor with a circle disc which pulls the gate down, and keeps it down
for enough time for all the balls to drop to the bottom.

The disc would have contacts on it, so as to act as a circuit to power the
motor. When the motor reaches the end of the circuit, it stops. When you
press the start button, it over-rides the circuit, giving the motor enough power
to jump on the circuit path and continue to the end.

Solenoids are great... but the hardest part is that they need about 24 to 30 volts
to be powerful enough to do decent work. Not so easy finding a cheap 30 volt
high amp power supply. Gota be an electronic guru to know how to use
a transformer or something like that to change the output levels of a lower end
supply.

Trebeck, you might consider making a Fold-Up skeeball. Most of the size is due to
the ramp. Once you fold that up in 2 or 3 sections, it would only take a fraction
of that space. Ill post my design a little later...

thatpurplestuff:
Xiaou2- I think I follow what you are saying. I have no experience with that kind of thing whatsoever, but conceptually I think I get it. Could you point me towards the type of motor that you are talking about? I really wouldn't even know where to begin in terms of knowing what to buy to create something like that.

In regards to the build, I got a little bit done today. I attached the bottom half of the score display area, and began dismantling the LCD screen that is going to get mounted within it. I also attached the blocks to hold the scoring ring area, so the game is actually playable on a VERY basic level. My buddy came over and we were rolling tennis balls up the ramp for a minute or two, but it wasn't too fun considering there were no rings to catch them and the tennis balls were way too bouncy. I didn't take any pics, but I will later.

If anyone else has any ideas for the ball release mechanism, please feel free to chime in. I'm open to any way possible of making this thing so the balls release with the push of a button. Please help.. haha.

Xiaou2:

Sorry man, but I dont really have the time to try to design such a mechanism.
I only know the concept, which could help to create it.

If I recall correctly, the older Skeeball Machines used a Pull Lever to release
the balls. You could do something like this... or even use a foot pedal release.
All mechanics, and no electronics.

Here was the foldup concept...

SavannahLion:
http://www.scary-terry.com/wipmtr/wipmtr.htm

Octo:
^ That would have been my suggestion: A stepper motor with a cog attached to the shaft that can pivot a stopping lever hinged inside the ball return.... Have the motor rotate 180^ at the press of the START button to release a cascade of balls. Have a second button at the base of the ball slot that rotates the last 180^ to raise the trapdoor for collecting the balls.

Sorry, I would have done it in ACAD, but I'm eating my frosted flakes and don't much feel like it right now... :laugh2:

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