K'nex Oblivion Ball Machine Instructions

by knexpert#10829476

14K4934

Intro: K'nex Oblivion Ball Machine Instructions

Someone challenged me in a comment on the previous ible that I should make bigger ball machines so here it is! The Oblivion ball machine has one unique element and that is the automatic drawbridge or path 1. The bridge starts when the ball hits a switch and starts to lower. Then, a second motor will kick in and pull the mother switch back up making the bridge raise and then the bridge will shut the main motor off. This element I think was on another ball machine but I reinvented it to suit the newer motors. The first video shows the drawbridge element by itself. Credit goes to Shadowman39's motor switch mechanism in video one.

STEP 1: Piece Count

RODS:

grey: 94
red: 196
yellow: 458
blue: 878
white: 401
Green: 778

CONNECTORS:

white: 97
blue 3d: 265
purple 3d: 603
yellow: 452
green: 24
red: 314
orange: 110
light-grey: 14
dark-grey: 209

SPECIAL:

orange track connector: 159
Black or tan rod: 3
Purple flexi-rod: 22
orange flexi-rod: 3
tan lock: 19
blue clip: 25
Y clip: 78
blue spacer: 113
silver spacer: 129
track clip: 6
medium tire no tread: 11
small tire: 4
red gear: 6
small blue gear: 1
yellow gear: 1
motors: 3
triangle panel with three holes: 1
chain link: 142
tubing
string

GRAND TOTAL: 5,621



STEP 2: Base and Supports

Let's start building!

STEP 3: Return Path

STEP 4: Main Support and Lift

STEP 5: Secondary Supports

STEP 6: Path Selecters

STEP 7: Path 1- the Drawbridge

This step really isn't step-by-step based because I just put in a lot of pictures of the thing but I assure you you will be able to make it from them. There are four pulley systems and one mother switch. The process of the cycle goes like this:

1. The ball hits the mother switch and the bridge starts to lower down.
2. The bridge being at the bottom triggers motor 2 which is only there to pull the mother switch up which makes the bridge rise.
3. The bridge rises until the pulley in the back pulls the mother switch back down into the off position. Motor 2 automatically shuts itself off.

Yes, I give credit to the member who made the "Leave Me Alone Box" because motor two uses the exact mechanism.

Take your time with this, it is very easy to lose track of where you are. The pulley systems will take a little while to adjust so don't get impatient with them.

STEP 8: Path 2- the Wheel

This path contains the large wheel at the center of the machine.

STEP 9: Path 3- Double-Path

This path includes a new element that isolates the balls and spaces them farther apart.

STEP 10: Path 4- Yin-Yang

31 Comments

MisterBukweet 10 years ago

I think I finally figured it out.... my version of Oblivion..

collinjo12 10 years ago

Very cool! I see some inspiration i'm getting from you! I plan on using that double ball arm from ionization in my current ball machine. Maybe you could try making a knex ball machine elements guide to bring your elements you've made so far into one place, as well as redesigns of others you've made also (and have updates)!!

MechanicalCreationMaster 10 years ago

Wait a minute...Sandroknexmaster and I only suggested you go bigger last week. You figured out the drawbridge mechanism and the whole caboodle in that time?! ;-D
Great job, this machine is really cool! I really like the drawbridge element; I have tried something like this before but never got it to work. Between you and Shadowman39 I'll have to learn the art of mechanical automation!
So keep it up with your machines and let us have some more innovations! Now you see why bigger is more fun? ;-)

alexf1 10 years ago

Very unique ball machine. I had to build a drawbridge like that for an engineering class out of knex.

johnwallacemurray 1 year ago

All of my old K'nex motors don't work anymore. Does anyone know how to fix them or buy new motors?

radical28 3 years ago

how big are the balls? I don't have any so I am going to 3D print some.

kimmy0923 8 years ago

What is the difference between the dark gray and purple 3D connectors? The purple look exactly like the 3D dark gray connectors.

tckinney951 8 years ago

iis there any way that you can show all of the hookups for the 2 motors you don't get a good view of the inside of the machine by the motor its very frustrating if you could please just show me the way the on off mechanism works thank you tim

javive_7892 9 years ago

can you post more pictures from inside connection for the motor that is on the middle of the drawbridge step 7 its hard to see the inside parts, THANKS

knex akbar 10 years ago

does this work with the newer knex balls aswell?

MisterBukweet 10 years ago

Great build... just got some adjustments to make on the bridge and I'm done... whoot

knexpert#10829476 10 years ago

Great job! Can you post pictures of it on this ible?, I would really like to see it:D

MisterBukweet 10 years ago

Well here it is... just remember you asked for it.... It took me 3 days to get that bridge to work.... Here is a free tip for those who wish to build this machine or use the draw bridge element.... Don't use stretchy string...

MisterBukweet 10 years ago

Sure thing... After I find some non stretching string for the drawbridge..

Knex2thelimit 10 years ago

I'm working on the machine and I'm in the drawbridge step right now. I can't get the bridge to start motor 2 all the time. Any suggestions?

knexpert#10829476 10 years ago

For me it was just luck of it working. Is the string through the connector hole? It takes a lot and I mean a lot of tweaking for something like that so patience for something like that is needed. I'm really happy that you are building my machine!

hunter999 10 years ago

Great job mate in such a short time frame, truly awesome!
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