Convolution - K'nex Ball Machine

by koolcoasterkid

11K9554

Intro: Convolution - K'nex Ball Machine

This is Convolution, my latest ball machine! It's been a long building process, enjoy!

Some stats:

-6 lifts

-6 motors

-15 balls

-24 tracks

-30 834 pieces

There are many new elements in this machine, such as the inverted top-hat, the giant helix and the quintuple interlocking loops.

Construction lasted from July 2013 to August 2014.

If you've always wondered how a room machine is built, here in the next few steps, I show never before seen pictures of the planning and construction of the machine.

STEP 1: Make a Plan

I always make some plans before I start my new machines. First, I plan it out roughly in my head, then jot down some sketches, and sometimes make a digital blueprint (both seen above). These plans serve purpose to where I want to place my furniture, as well as the main support beams of the machine. The plans may change slightly over the course of the construction of the machine as well. The second picture is closer to the final product than the first one, but both were useful in the planning of the machine.

STEP 2: Do Some Testing

Before I started this machine, I did some testing to see what beam would serve best for the supports of the machine. I took the 2 best designs and placed the same amount of weight on them, with equal spans until one broke. Here you can see the initial testing results. The beam that did not fail was indeed the beam design I used in the machine.

STEP 3: Begin the Frame

These are images from the first day of construction of the machine. I always make the main structural supports first, to get a feel for the machine, then begin to make the tracks from there.

STEP 4: Begin to Make Elements and Lifts

Once the supports are done, its time to get creative. From this point on, its just a matter of making the paths and connecting all of the lifts to each other. This is the most time intensive but fun part of making the machine. I've included a few pictures of my construction process, just to spark a few ideas. Now you know how I make my machine, go ahead and make one for yourself!

Hope you like my creation I've worked so hard on, and thanks for viewing!

55 Comments

koolcoasterkid 8 years ago

Here is the piece list:

GRAND TOTAL (30834)
Rods (16190)
17 carbon red rod
1949 red rods
3335 white rods
649 gold rods
785 grey rods
3757 blue rods
2830 green rods
2606 yellow rods
103 flexible yellow rod
147 flexi
12 carbon grey rod


Connectors (12978)
277 tan lock clip
40 small blue clip
461 y clip
932 ladder
1807 gold tab connector
2248 yellow connector
268 two slot grey connector
858 grey one way connector
761 green connector
508 snow flake
1249 red connector
2028 purple 3D
1340 blue 3D
2 orange angle connector
199 orange track splice

Gears/Motors (68)
1 battery motor
10 small gears
33 medium red gears
5 large yellow gears
4 medium yellow gears
5 worm gear
5 electric motor
5 power adaptor


Pannels (82)
10 square panel 9 hole
3 triangle panel 15 hole
6 triangle panel 36 hole
3 square panel 1 hole
37 triangle panel 3 hole
23 triangle panel no hole


Misc (1506)
6 medium tire
6 large tire
12 large wheel hub
6 small tire
6 small wheel hub
7 head top
381 chain
6 large ball joint ball
6 large ball joint socket
469 blue spacer
370 grey spacer
52 hinge half blue 0.09
52 hinge half black
64 ball joint ball
67 ball joint socket
5 flexi tubes
5 clear tubes
6 tube connectors

Total estimated price is $4723.94

koolcoasterkid 5 years ago

The grey colored rod that is the same length of a red rod, although they are much stronger than a standard red rod.

gamergrill420 8 years ago

i want to get a new set of parts around the same amount but im worried its gunna cost a fortune, and tips on most used parts so i can make a realistic list?

koolcoasterkid 8 years ago

Check above for a piece list. Sorry, for some reason it bugged and did not reply to your comment. If you have any other questions feel free to ask :)

koolcoasterkid 8 years ago

Haha, well there are actually a few people on this site who have more than me for sure! :P

koolcoasterkid 9 years ago

Thanks. I have yet to take the machine down to get a better estimate of the amount of pieces, but I'm guessing around 25000.

www139 9 years ago

congrats on winning 1st prize... and for the feature! Nice job! :P

www139 9 years ago

you're welcome! :D

www139 9 years ago

Very cool! How many pieces?

koolcoasterkid 9 years ago

Thanks! I'll find out how many pieces when I take it down, I'm going to do a piece count.

ryry2011 9 years ago

nice set up and planning

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