Introduction: K'nex Hammer Lift
Hey!
This is my new (and first) k'nex lift system. I came up with this idea, because the physics teacher was showing us the effect when anything that's heavy (a hammer) hits a light - weight thing. (a small ball) So I made that system with k'nex, and this is the result.
In this lift, a rotating arm goes up, and it comes down real fast, sending the ball up the incline.
The one in the video is a bit different, the one in this Instructable is better.
Hope you guys like it.
Click here to watch the video
Step 1: Parts List
Rods: 221
green-74
white-69
blue-54
yellow-21
red-9
tan rigid-1
black rigid-1
Connectors: 154
dark gray-14
light gray-13
orange-14
red-10
green-7
yellow-44
orange tube connector - 6
white-3
blue-21
purple-29
Other: 122
blue spacer-48
silver spacer-42
red gear-3
blue/tan gear-1
small grey gear-1
tan clip-3
blue clip-15
Y clip-14
small wheel band-4
rubber band-1
chain link-7
battery-powered motor-1
And, of course, you'll need k'nex balls and tubing
Step 2: Base
You'll start with building the base. It's pretty easy.
Step 3: Right Tower
Again an easy step, next step is harder (finally...)
Step 4: Left Tower
Yeah, a harder step :). This side contains the system that block balls, and let every time one ball pass.
Step 5: Motor
This is a hard part to make, look closely at the quantity of spacers.
Step 6: Hammer
You're nearly finished! Just make the hammer: It's easy.
Step 7: Finished!!!
Congrats, you're done with your Hammer Lift. Here are some tips:
1. The new k'nex balls (the big ones) comes higher than the old ones: If you use them both, be careful at the top of your hill: the big balls could fly off the track.
2. Attach the track as much as possible, this is to save speed, and to reach higher. Also support the track good: It mustn't be unstable, the balls slow than down quickly.
3. If the arm goes stuck on the system that let 1 ball / time go, make the second and the third picture.
4. If the balls are going to be launched off the entrance path, make it longer. If the balls don't pass, wait till other balls arrive. That balls will push it trough the system that block balls.
Please give a feedback and feel free to comment and rate!
50 Comments
12 years ago on Introduction
This is a cool design! I have an idea that I might use to make it whack the ball even harder and up a higher track by using some of my modified motors which plug into a wall outlet and spin two to three times faster than any other knex motor! :)
13 years ago on Introduction
i made the project and it works great i never thought that the small engine would never pull that hammer all the way around. i wish you would show how to make the rest of the track.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
I can't add a pic now, because I use the lift on a other way: as transport. The ball gets now hit by the arm, and flies 1M trough the sky, and ends up in a basket.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Can you post an instructable on how to modify that to fling the balls that far? I'm definitley going to build this and use it in the new ball machine I'm going to start tommorow! :)
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I just see, it isn't 1 mile, it's 1 meter :-P. It's easy: Build this instructable, and don't add more track then shown in this Ible. Just cut the tubing off after the short part shown here, and let the balls fly! If you put the lfit also a bit higher up (so add a red box underneath it i.e.), it will go even further.
So, don't modify, just don't add any more rubbish after the lfit!
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
in the last step have I put some tips how to make the track. I think you can build your own with that.
12 years ago on Introduction
cool
12 years ago on Introduction
you want to buy some??
12 years ago on Introduction
and i'm getting sick of having so many spacers...
12 years ago on Introduction
i have like 300 blue spacers and 400 silver spacers!
12 years ago on Introduction
Read 2 comments below. There's your answer :-P
12 years ago on Introduction
Try to get more ones!
12 years ago on Introduction
1. It's changeable to yellow 5 - way connectors, although you'll have to find out the new height of the track.
2 + 3 Attach the motor to a white snowflake connector, and change the spacers/rod. The motor should work, cause my motor is weak too. If it doesn't work, just gear it more down. (again a blue gear on a red, you could change the red gear into a big yellow one, but the motor must be on a different place then0
12 years ago on Introduction
I decided to make this and it works great. Although I did have 1 problem with it letting only one ball in at a time.
12 years ago on Introduction
A very innovative lift design, I must say. Does it automatically reset itself too?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Yes. It works as long as the motor runs.
12 years ago on Step 7
Hammer comes down but stops short of the ball??? Could you give me a picture of that, I never had that problem
Gate opener: did you make the 2nd and the 3rd picture of the last step? that should help. It works even better if you remove the blue connector and the blue and gray spacer on the white rod.
If you've more problems, tell me.
12 years ago on Introduction
So could the track go vertical?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I never tried that one, I'm sorry.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Ok, maybe a test for me sometime