Project Micro - A Mini K'nex Ball Machine

Project Micro is a small, desk-top ball machine that contains 2 trails; when adjusted correctly, the balls never fall off.

Unfortunately, I am way too lazy to sit there and count all the pieces. If you aren't, let me know. My guess is around 500 to 600.

Step 1: The Main Tower

I'm going to apologize in advance for the size of this step. I didn't feel like taking apart the drive shaft, etc. Make sure you look at the annotations for the last couple pictures.

Comments

[kops]

I counted 472 pieces including the balls from your picture. My model is slightly modded so I couldn't count it from mine. I was unable to count the individual type of piece count because I counted them during my lunch break (which is only like 45 minutes)

[Knexfreak9123]

Where can I buy that tubing?

[knexinventer]

ha the song fits the machine

[horton123]

this is awesome

[bosniaguy]

in centimeters, how long is 720 degrees of track?

[cfcubed]

173 cm, give or take a few cuase measuring a spiral is difficult, even with string. By the way thats actually 1080 degrees of track, which is what is required to make the ball go twice around.

[ebbx96]

i cant figure out how to adjust the collector ramp so that the ball can be picked up but other than that it works perfectly

[cfcubed]

Hmmm. Go to step 16 and look at the second picture. make sure you have the spacing on these exactly right (there is a blue washer on the side you can't see). Also look at the fifth picture on step 1 to make sure your gear spacing is right. That should stop the lift from catching if that's your problem. If the ball just simply falls off the lift, check the little scoop things that pick up the balls; attached to the orange connectors should be the female end of a ball joint, as this is the perfect length. If it still doesn't work, I don't know what to tell you. . .

[Tom Buckey]

how many chain links is it?

[bosniaguy]

altogether 51

[cfcubed]

The part where the ball rides on the chain is 13 links, the lift is 38

[Tom Buckey]

can the lift be made with any less?

[Kinetic]

 really cool

[Bartboy]

Awesome! But would it work well without the spiral?

[cfcubed]

I'll work on modifying it not to use tube for next week or something...

[Bartboy]

Good, cause I don't have any extra tubing.

[cfcubed]

Sorry I never got around to that. I have it built, but I'm not allowed to put any more pictures on this instructable.  All I did was replace the whirlpool with 270 degrees of classic spiral.  It works fine, but it's not as cool : )

[pls]

Nasty! You should get some, I saw 50' red tubing go on ebay for 8$

[GeekBeam]

can i use mini track pieces for the lift I've done it before other than that im fine

[hockys1]

Very clever and easy to build 5 Stars!!

[lego man 655]

nice ball machine the chain path is very unique i give it a 5

[KrazyKow]

Same. Love the chain element!

[knexmaster98]

yes I have tried but it may need a few ajustements

[rexdino5]

Oh my god I can't get the spiral right because the rippin rocket tubing is to stiff so does anybody have any ideas?

[TigerNod]

No, other then using orange tubing...

[geodez]

microwave it it sort of gets all soft and pliant then quickly position it and it will harden that way

[cfcubed]

you could try building the whirlpool as best as you can now, and once the tubing gets broken in, make it actually work. Or you can replace the whirlpool with a classic spiral made of normal pieces.

[knexpert#10829476]

Does the spiral have to be made with ss tubing?

[TigerNod]

No.

[geodez]

also 2 white/silver/black/purple rods

[krish98.sai]

thanks stuffed pepper pants ggm (goo goo mama)

[geodez]

you're welcome.

[geodez]

you need: 1 white rod 2 green connectors 1 grey connector 1 tan lock 720 degrees of tubing 13 y clips 13 gold t's 4 grey rods 2 3d blue clips 4 green rods the piece from step 13 you made

[geodez]

the piece you made in step 12

[geodez]

2 green connectors 4 red connectors 2 yellow rods 2 green rods

[geodez]

and the thing you made in step 11

[geodez]

1 red connector 12 ish chain links

[geodez]

correction 4 blue rods 5 orange connectors 4 silver spacers 4 grey clips 6 green rods

[geodez]

you need: 3 orange connectors 2 yellow connectors 2 red connectors 3 blue rods 3 grey clips 2 silver spacers the piece you made in step 10

[geodez]

you need: 3 red connectors 3 blue rods the piece you put together in step 9