Introduction: Infinity Switch
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About: I've had K'nex as long as i can remember but it wasn't until I was old enough to have a credit card and an eBay account that I started working on much larger scale projects. I've built roller coasters and the…
....FOR GOLF BALLS.
The idea is that using the "modules" you can assemble a switch to deviate balls down any number paths so you can have any number of routes for the balls to follow in your ball machine.
Ive got it working supremely well for GOLF BALLS for that is what i use but i couldnt be bothered to redesign it for knex issue balls so to you i say best of luck with knex balls or cave in to the infinitely more common golf balls.
PS Remember this is designed for GOLF BALLS
To make it work for you it will need to be wider and less tensioned but thats for you to work out ye people who use knex brand balls.
You can see it in action in my latest project, Operation Cynosure on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zacd7-4sg_Q
The idea is that using the "modules" you can assemble a switch to deviate balls down any number paths so you can have any number of routes for the balls to follow in your ball machine.
Ive got it working supremely well for GOLF BALLS for that is what i use but i couldnt be bothered to redesign it for knex issue balls so to you i say best of luck with knex balls or cave in to the infinitely more common golf balls.
PS Remember this is designed for GOLF BALLS
To make it work for you it will need to be wider and less tensioned but thats for you to work out ye people who use knex brand balls.
You can see it in action in my latest project, Operation Cynosure on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zacd7-4sg_Q
Step 1: Back Wall
Nothing interesting YET. Just get everything in the right place and make sure that gray bit is twisted like that.
PS Remember this is designed for golf balls
PS Remember this is designed for golf balls
Step 2: Front Wall
Still nothing interesting. Just 7 parts seemingly in any random order.
This is to be oriented in this way. (i.e. this is the front view of the front wall)
PS Remember this is designed for golf balls
This is to be oriented in this way. (i.e. this is the front view of the front wall)
PS Remember this is designed for golf balls
Step 3: Switch
Now it gets exciting. 14 parts subtly arranged for tessellation. Slide everything towards the back of the yellow rod.
PS Remember this is designed for golf balls
PS Remember this is designed for golf balls
Step 4: Assembly and Tensioner
Slide the yellow rod into the white connectors and attach the other thingy too. Note that the yellow rod does not protrude through the "back wall". This is intentional.
The last thing to do is to attach the elastic.
There are many options but I found that the most universal solution was 2 braces bands looped together which provided adequate tension and (in my household any way) they are common.
PS Remember this is designed for golf balls
The last thing to do is to attach the elastic.
There are many options but I found that the most universal solution was 2 braces bands looped together which provided adequate tension and (in my household any way) they are common.
PS Remember this is designed for golf balls
Step 5: The Tail
This is small but in no way insignificant!
Add this to the last module of your infinity switch.
PS Remember this is designed for golf balls
Add this to the last module of your infinity switch.
PS Remember this is designed for golf balls
Step 6: Combining
The best thing about this switch is that you can connect any number of modules together into a super switch.
I find that it works best at an angle of about 20degrees +/- 10
The second image shows a 5 way switch with an on-ramp. The photo is tilted to make it look horizontal when its really at 20degrees.
PS Remember this is designed for golf balls
I find that it works best at an angle of about 20degrees +/- 10
The second image shows a 5 way switch with an on-ramp. The photo is tilted to make it look horizontal when its really at 20degrees.
PS Remember this is designed for golf balls
Step 7: Adjustments
Use different bands. You may have the tesnion too great for it to work.
Or the friction between the still and moving parts could be making things stiff. (dont know how to fix that? WD40?)