K'nex Ball Machine Krypton

     
     
     Hello, fellow instructables members! I finally took the time to post my latest ball machine (which I built in September...yeah, quite the delay). At any rate, it has eight paths, a new lift type, and several new elements, either modified or built from scratch! The name came from the 36th element on the Periodic Table of the Elements. (I'm sure you knew that. Also, the ball machine has eight paths, since Krypton the element has eight valence electrons. If you want to know what those are, take chemistry!) This is my most ambitious project so far. So without further ado...Krypton!

Step 1: Freefall Wheel Lift

     Ok, so this is the new lift I designed. It was reworked from my old lift on Subduction. This lift is a wheel lift with a twist; when the wheel has lifted the ball halfway to the top, the ball rolls back down the ball arm! The arm then pushes the ball back up a slope to the top (see the video if you don't understand). The extra movement adds interest to the typical wheel lift!

Note: This particular lift design was extremely finicky. I strongly suggest someone improve this idea...please! (I am still a little frustrated that I could not make it work any better. Oh well.)

Comments

[J-Five]

Cool, I bet it took a lot of pieces.

[knexpert#10829476]

Made it! Didn't work as well as I thought it would though. I just wanted to build it:)

[MarsCrystalMan]

Thanks for all the support....that's 1100 views in ten days! Very encouraging... :-)

[knexpert#10829476]

I am not even joking but I had this ball machine in a dream the night before. Must really like it!

[MarsCrystalMan]

Wow...now that's a compliment! ;-D

[MarsCrystalMan]

By the way, I love your pinball machine! Good job!!! :D

[KneXtreme]

Awesome job! I love that loop.

[MarsCrystalMan]

:-D

[knexpert#10829476]

This is really cool! Awesome ball machine man!

[MarsCrystalMan]

Glad you like it! :-D

[knexpert#10829476]

Also, thanks for posting so many different pictures and angles of this masterpiece, I want this in my room:)

[Shadowman39]

Cool ball machine, my favorite part is the loop. :-P

[MarsCrystalMan]

Thanks!

[Sorunome]

Nice ball machines!
You should motorize your lift :P
And also thanks for using the infinity switch! :D

[MarsCrystalMan]

Thanks!
I would use a motor if I had one...I need to get some more Knex sometime. ;-}

[sandroknexmaster]

Nice ball machine! You made a vid for this one, much better :D

First, I really like the wheel lift with the freefall. I already made something similar (Spinning Free Fall Lift) If you agree, I would like to make an improved and motorized version to use in my next ball machine, offcourse I'll give you credit. Next, the green flexi path looping looks cool. What I like most on this machine is the third path, where the ball lifts the arm so the balls on path 1 & 2 can continue to fall down. Finally, thanks for using a modified version of the small ball arms!

You really become better and better every time you build a ball machine :)

[MarsCrystalMan]

Thanks! And by all means, you may certainly make an improved version of my lift!
Also, thanks for your compliments on the elements...I'm glad someone else considers my first elements a success.

[sandroknexmaster]

Ok, I hope I can make something good looking and working with the same concept :)

[MarsCrystalMan]

I hope so too! :-D

[dr. richtofen]

Looks great! I love how the loop looks

[MarsCrystalMan]

Thanks! I like the loop, too. :D

[dr. richtofen]

No probs =D

[sscsnake]

Great job! Are you a member of http://www.sscoasters.net/ ? It's a great site that is all about knex. I highly recomend you join as the members of this site are very helpful and suportive of your builds. They will give you building tips to help your models be even better. Heck, I love this site so much that I named my instructables avitar after it!

[MarsCrystalMan]

No I'm not, but I'll have to check it out sometime!

[sandroknexmaster]

Congrats for being featured! :)

[MarsCrystalMan]

Thanks!

[TheAwesomestDude]

very cool