K'nex Ball Machine Impossible

Hi there!

After 10 months of work, we're proud to present you our biggest k'nex ball machine: Impossible! This is by far our biggest k'nex ball machine ever, and has: 13 paths, 7 lifts divided into 2 networks. The whole thing runs on 2 motors, but a 3rd is necessary for an element. It is kind of confusing how the lifts are divided, so I'll tell you how it works. The first motor runs the top 2 arm lifts, and the wheel lift in network 1, and the chain lift in network 2. The second motor runs the first and second lift in network 2, the bottom arm lift in network 1, and the separator for network 1.

Some stats:

Height: 2.31 meters (7' 7'')

With and depth: 91 cm (3')

Number of pieces: 21,727

Number of balls: 20

Number of motors: 3

If you have any questions/comments, feel free to leave a comment or PM us.

This instructable is now an entry in the "Make it Move" contest. If you feel like it, would you vote for it? It would be much appreciated. :)

Thanks for watching/looking!

www139

Instructions for the new elements: https://www.instructables.com/id/knex-ball-machine-Impossible-elements/

Instructions for the separator: https://www.instructables.com/id/Compact-Separator-a-Knex-Ball-Machine-Separator/

Instructions for the first new lift: https://www.instructables.com/id/Short-Start-Arm-Lift-a-Knex-Ball-Machine-Lift/

Instructions for the second new lift: https://www.instructables.com/id/Spinning-Push-Lift-a-Knex-Ball-Machine-Lift/

Instructions for the third new lift: https://www.instructables.com/id/Versatile-Chainsaw-Lift-a-Knex-Ball-Machine-Lift/

Comments

[NeilRG]

This is awesome I'm guessing you moved your project to the smaller space after construction . K'nex is more durable than I realized. Do you build the frame and then install the elements of the different paths? How do you plan how the various paths interweave in 3D space? Do you you design the elements and then work out how they need to be interconnected? Good luck going forward.

[www139]

Sorry for the late reply. Although it was difficult to work around the relatively small space, it was actually built there. Benefits of being built like a twig, I can fit in some pretty small places to build! I'm almost always tinkering with different elements and lifts, so I built the frame, installed some elements and then found ways to interconnect them. I don't always build a track from top to bottom. As far as a plan, I don't usually have a plan beyond "I'd like to use this, I wonder where I could put it", and as long as it works consistently I keep it.
Thanks! :D

[www139]

Thanks!

[FanPlastic]

did you go through and reply to every single one of those comments?

[www139]

yes, but copy/pasted them. :P

[The Knex Inventor]

Nice ball machine! Favorited! :-)

[www139]

Thanks! And thanks!

[The Knex Inventor]

You are welcome! :-)

[www139]

:D

[The Knex Inventor]

:-)

[coolkidcreator]

Awesome! Voted. :)

[www139]

thanks, and thanks!

[Gargamel-Knex]

Woaw Another big, nice machine!

I've voted.

[www139]

Thanks! Thanks for the vote. :)

[www139]

Thanks!

[www139]

Thanks!

[www139]

Thanks!

[FanPlastic]

Voted! are they not doing the knex contest?

[www139]

Thanks! I don't think they are, but even if they are, it'll be later this year, meaning that we'll have enough time to enter some other projects. :)

[FanPlastic]

:^)