Introduction: Project A.F.F: a K'nex Ball Machine
_This was my entry for the 2015 K'nex Contest_
Hello fellow Instructables viewers!
I am proud to present to you, my third K'nex ball machine, Project A.F.F.
This is my most complex ball machine, and the first of its kind.
Not only is this a standard ball machine, but it also serves a practical use compared to other ball machines that only circulate balls. This machine actually feeds fish.
Yes, indeed, this is the world's first K'nex ball machine to actually feed fish! (If there is another, please let me know).
Currently, this only uses a one-time feeding mechanism. This is meant for people who are, say, going on a trip for a day, but still need to feed their fish. All you have to do is connect the motor to a timer, set the time of feeding and Voilà! the machine takes care of the rest.
It's a simple mechanism: As the ball falls through a free-fall, it pushes out two clickers. The bottom one then pushes a tray over that holds the food, thus releasing the food into the tank below. The tray then tips back over, due to the counter weight. Watch the video to see this in action.
In order to hold the tank, I also created a sturdy table that can easily hold the tank while it's filled with rocks, water, and fish (of course). The table also includes a little theming, and is the support structure for the paths.
Oh, did I forget to mention that there are two paths? Yes, not only does this machine feed fish, but it also contains two paths for the ball to travel through once it has fed the fish. You can run this as a regular ball machine, without feeding!
So, why the name Project A.F.F? Well, "A.F.F" stands for:
Automatic
Fish
Feeder
Pretty simple, huh?
Here is some more information:
Build time: 5/3/15 - 5/25/15
Height: 3.8 feet (1.6 meters)
Length: 1.6 feet (0.5 meters)
Width: 2.6 feet (0.8 meters)
Number of lifts: 1 (Vertical Chainsaw Lift)
Number of paths: 2
A large, sturdy table it also included to hold the tank.
Special thanks to: Knextreme, for the main element in path 1 and the used design of the Vertical Chainsaw Lift.
Project A.F.F was selected as a finalist in the 2015 K'nex Contest! Thanks everyone!
Thanks for reading, watching the video, and checking out my Instructable! I hope you enjoyed this project; I know that I'm proud of it. See you all next time!
-Knex2thelimit-

Runner Up in the
K'NEX Contest
18 Comments
6 years ago
Good luck and look forward for your íntruction to be posted!
Reply 6 years ago on Introduction
Thanks for commenting! This build won a runner up prize in the contest. Unfortunately, there will not be instructions for A.F.F. I have already taken it down in order to start something new, plus this is a large and complicated build that uses many pieces. Sorry about that!
6 years ago on Introduction
WooaaaW ! Congratulations ! You are a finalist ;)
6 years ago on Introduction
voted!
6 years ago on Introduction
What a coincidence! I happened to think of the same element you used on path 1 at the beginning!! Haha! :P
Reply 6 years ago on Introduction
Wait, just to use? Or is it some new element I didn't know about? Either way, haha.
Did you like the overall machine/idea for the machine?
Reply 6 years ago on Introduction
I had it built and I haven't even put it on our machine! I got it to work but I changed it later to something else that is similar. It may be in our next machine! Yes it's ingenious! Feeding fish! I think you will do well in the contest.
7 years ago on Introduction
That's nice! Definitely the first one :p
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
Thanks! Hopefully it gets accepted; I submitted it just before the contest closed but they should still review it....
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
Yeah it can take 1 day. But there are 2 more days to vote, I'll definitely come back to hit that button :)
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
Finally accepted! :)
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
Yes! Here's your vote :)
7 years ago on Introduction
Nice!
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
Thanks! Don't forget to vote if it gets accepted, and if you think this deserves a vote. ;)
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
I will vote but honestly I don't think it will make any difference now that sandro released that beast of a machine...He will win for sure.. That thing is just godly. :p
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
True! My jaw dropped when I saw it!
Why hasn't this been accepted yet... Huh. The two entries after me have been accepted... As in submitted after mine. Odd.
7 years ago on Introduction
Hmmm....
Don't forget feed the fish!
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
Hehe... Like it?