Lego Technic Bowling Machine

This bowling machine is entirely made of Lego technic. Using the remote control, the machine can be used to automatically shoot a marble from a distance. In this way, the construction can also rotate automatically and has a loading system where several marbles can be stored. The construction is driven by 3 lego motors and a battery holder.

This design is based on the concept of canadian bowling with 5 pins at the end of the bowling alley. The bowling alley is made of lego streetplates and the pins of ordinary lego.

The pdf document contains the plan to build the construction and the pins. The explanation on how to assemble the motors and the track is explained below.

Lots of building and playing fun!

Supplies

• 2 rubber bands (Ø 5 cm)
• 1 rubber band (Ø 2 cm)
• 1 thin rope (70 cm)
• 3 marbles
• 10 lego Gear Racks 1 x 4 (3743)
• 6 AA+ batteries
• 3 AAA+ batteries
• 1 lego control switch (4523462)
• 1 lego battery holder (4506078)
• 1 lego remote control (4506079)
• 1 lego receiver (6020086)
• 2 lego L-motors (6000564)
• 1 lego servo (6000566)
• 1 red tile lego block (3069)
• 1 white tile lego block (3069)
• 1 blue grille lego block (2412)
• 1 orange grille lego block (2412)
• 1 grey bush for cross axle (4211622)
• 1 grey cross axle 3M (4211815)
• 2 black ball joints (4290713)
• 3 red cross axles 2M (4142865)
• 1 grey cross axle extension (4512360)
• 2 black connector pins (4121715)
• 1 black beam 3M (4142822)
• 4 vintage lego street plates (6310)
• 1 vintage lego T-road street plate (6310)
• 1 beige connector peg/cross axle (4666579)
• 1 grey pin 3/4 (4211050)
• 1 grey pole reverser handle (4211536)
• 1 red bush for cross axle
• 1 red lift arm (4107824)
• 1 black gear 5x36t (4255563)

+ the part list at the end of the pdf document

Step 1: The Pdf Document

Follow the instructions in the Pdf document.

After finishing these instructions, the construction is almost done. In the next steps, some details will be added, the motors and the alley will be assembled and the control instructions will be explained.

Step 2: The Stickers

For an extra touch, stickers are added.

Step 3: Finalise the Loading System

Put the small rubber band over the two wheels so they can turn around together. Cut a 30 cm long piece of rope from the 70 cm long piece. Tie one end of the rope to the front of the loading system. Wrap the other end around the bar as shown in the last picture. Now the loading system is finished.

Step 4: Attach the First L-motor

This motor allows the loading system to move up and down.The motor is mounted in the left-hand column of the machine. the shaft of the small sprocket is inserted into the motor. In order to recognize the cable of this motor at a later stage, attach a white tile lego block to the cable.

Step 5: Attach the Second L-motor

This motor allows the machine to rotate. Push the 4 black pins to the inside, so the motor is stuck (as shown in the pictures). In order to recognize the cable of this motor at a later stage, attach a red tile lego block to the cable.

Step 6: Attach the Servo

This motor is the most important. It ensures that the marble can be launched. In order to recognize the cable of this servo at a later stage, attach a blue grille lego block to the cable.

Step 7: Attach the Control Switch and the Receiver

To make the control switch easier to use, add an extra handle (1 red cross axle 2M + 1 grey cross axle extension). In order to recognize the cable of the receiver at a later stage, attach an orange grille lego block to the cable.

Step 8: Connect All Cables

1. Connect the cables with the red and blue coloured block (second L-motor and servo) to the receiver. This allows to control these motors with the remote control.

2. Connect the cable with the white coloured block (first L-motor) to the control switch. This allows to control this motor with the control switch.

3. Connect the cable without a coloured block (the control switch) to the battery holder.

4. Connect the cable with the orange coloured block (the receiver) to the battery holder.

In order to arrange the cables a little, attach a small clamp to the first L-motor. For building this clamp, the supplies are: 2 black connector pins and 1 black beam 3M. Finally, fill the battery holder with 6 AA+ batteries.

Step 9: Finalise the Launch Mechanism

Attach the 2 elastic bands to the yellow hooks. Attach the other side of the elastic bands around the inner pins of the red rectangle that is already made in the pdf file. Bring the 2 loops of the rope (with the measurements shown on the photo) around the 2 outer pins and attach the 2 red lever bars. Finally, finish the handle (supplies: 1 grey cross axle 3M + 1 grey bush for cross axle + 2 black ball joints).

Step 10: Mount the Remote Control

Follow the photos to mount the remote control. The supplies are: 1 beige connector peg/cross axle, 1 grey pin 3/4, 2 red cross axles 2M, 1 grey pole reverser handle, 1 red bush for cross axle, 1 red lift arm, 1 black gear 5x36t. Finally, fill the battery compartment with 3 AAA+ batteries.

Step 11: The Bowling Alley

Connect the street plates using the 10 lego gear racks. The track starts at the construction, followed by 4 lego street plates and ends at the lego T-road street plate. Place the 5 pins in V-formation on the last T-road plate. Now the bowling alley is finished.

Step 12: How to Play?

Photo 1:
Using the left handle of the remote control, the construction can be rotated.

Photo 2, 3, 4 and 5:
Tighten the elastic bands and hook the rope behind the yellow bar in the middle. Place a marble on the rails, in front of the red block. Using the right handle (or the gear) of the remote control, the yellow bar can be rotated. In this way the marble can be launched.

Photo 6, 7 and 8:
Place two marbles in the loading system. Turning the left wheel, the first marble can be placed on the rails while the other one rests in the loading system. Using the control switch, the loading system can be rotated upwards after using it.

Now, everything is finished, the construction can be used!