Knex 'Weighted Kick' Ball Machine Lift/element Hybrid

by mathsboy314

2.1K311

Intro: Knex 'Weighted Kick' Ball Machine Lift/element Hybrid

This is a lift which uses an element to reset it, so there's no motor involved. Unfortuantly the reset element looses more height than gained by the lift, so it's more of an element.

Video: http://youtu.be/Bta4ciw_hWk


This lift/element has first been used in this ball machine: http://youtu.be/IHZVUUsvF9Q?t=41s

STEP 1: The Base

_ _ _
|\ |\ | |  Double layered
| \| \| |  Connected by
-------   Blue rods

STEP 2: Enterance Track (and 2 Small Parts)

The entrance track goes on the part where there a square from the top view.
The 2 extra parts are composed of a white connector and 2 yellow rods each.

STEP 3: First Hinge

This hinge fits into the 2 extra parts of the previous step. This connects the counter weight hinge and the arm hinge.

STEP 4: Continued Scaffold

Again, a pattern with 2 layers connected by blue rods. Look out for the extra parts (tagged).

STEP 5: Part Connecting Hinges

This would be a rod... if any rod was this length.

STEP 6: Half of the Top Layer of Scaffold

This layer includes a path. Try to keep it out your way while building.

STEP 7: Parallelogram 1

A parallelogram is a quadrilateral with both pairs of opposite side equal.
A parallelogram is also a quadrilateral with both pairs of opposite parallel.
That's how this (and other elements) can function.

STEP 8: The Arm

Again, double layer (but connected differently this time). If you want you can add extra scaffolding between the entrance and everything else.

STEP 9: More Scaffolds

This part will hold the part which holds the second hinge.

STEP 10: Even More Scaffolds

This path will hold the second hinge.

STEP 11: The Second Hinge Part 1

This part will connect to the scaffold. Pay attention on the orientation of the orange bit.

STEP 12: The Second Hinge Part 2

This bit goes on the end of the second hinge. It holds the counterweight.

STEP 13: Adding the Second Hinge

Once you have completed this step push all the pieces (starting from the tagged one in the 3rd picture) towards the grey connector sticking out on the opposite side.

STEP 14: The Rest of the Scaffold

This is customizable. Make your own or copy mine.

STEP 15: And Even More Scaffold

This part holds the reset element.

STEP 16: Pac-Man Counterweight

Pac-Man is the right shape and size for the mechanism. Sometimes pieces come in different colours including yellow...

STEP 17: Reset Arm

The ball pulls this down, pushing up Pac-Man, raising the orange lever, setting the counterweight, resetting the unbalanced ramp. Try it... hmm... the ball needs more force...

STEP 18: Adding a Chute for More Force

Unless the previous element gives enough force, the ball won't be able to reset the lift.

STEP 19: Done!

Congrats! You're finished!

11 Comments

koolcoasterkid 10 years ago

Ah cool design! Can be very useful in a spot that there is no room for a regular lift. Hope to see more from you.

hawk45 10 years ago

holy crap! thats awesome!

sandroknexmaster 10 years ago

That's great!
I also have an idea to make this a lift, well, sort of a lift:
First one ball enters the arm and waits for a second ball. Then the second ball enters and the arm moves like in the vid (You probably have to add more counterweight)
Then you build a seperator (I think it's best to make a horizontal switch so you don't lose a lot of height) One of the balls, let's say the one that goes to left, continues its path like the first ball in the vid. The second ball, that goes to the right, falls back down and resets the lift like the second ball does in the vid, and then it rolls back to the entrance and waits for a second ball.
So both balls enter at the same place, and there is always one ball waiting in the arm.
If you place some of these mechanisms on top of each other, you can make a self-resetting ball machine lift without a motor.
I know it sounds very difficult and I'm absolutely not sure if it's possible, it's just an idea that came up in me.

mathsboy314 10 years ago

I think I understand what you're saying, although it would be difficult to make. The second ball [which resets the lift] goes on a lever that would be double the length to compensate for the larger counterweight. This is also why the lifts can't get stacked and all is reset from one arm (I think).

BUT...

A third ball from a separate track could help the second ball if you don't want them to loose too much height, and possibly they head to entrance where they both go up. Perhaps a forth ball also helps but it enters the entrance track after it has already gone up.
I just lost my train of thought. Good luck! (No pressure, but I'm expecting you to modify this the most resulting in a path selector.)

sandroknexmaster 10 years ago

I get it, with a third ball the reset arm can be much shorter. But I think I'm making it too complicated, what you made here is very innovative and can be used as an element and a lift, wich is very cool.

Shadowman39 10 years ago

This is a nice element! The mechanism is interesting.

hunter999 10 years ago

Amazing non battery lift, truly epic!

Sorunome 10 years ago

ok, now this is awesome! :D