[GBC] Akiyuki Train System: Type 2 mods and improvements

[doug72]

Swing Loader: Improved interrupter gear for setting train release timing.

I have now managed to devise a Legal Lego solution using a standard 16T clutch gear and red driving ring to allow easy setting of the train release timing.
It was tight squeeze to fit it in and required a 3rd axle in order to get the 3:1 gearing to achieve the overall 72:1 ratio for the train trip rotor. i.e 3 x 24 =72

Axle A: drive to swing loader reverser system.
Axles B & D are not connected to each other.
Axle C drive to trip rotor via interrupter.

Loom bands used for reverser trip (green) & to keep interrupter gear engaged (Yellow) once timing set.

Edited December 4, 2018 by Doug72
Wrong image replaced

[Berthil]

Below my progress on a very compact train layout to be used during events on narrow tables.

At the right a new pneumatic module will added to fill the train over the track. For this the timer will be delayed so the train will have to wait less for the rotary dumper to finish. I'm also thinking about placing a train driven switch to switch the crossover directions. With a switch one train will run the full track but still two can run at the same time. Do you think this switch will be worth the effort and will make it more interesting to watch? 

Changes I have made are:

• Passing module is now a parallel waiting station to sync the trains so they don't collide. This means the module works in both directions instead of the original one which worked only in one direction
• I've shortened all spring switches inside the track with 2 studs to make room for tracks and trains passing the switches
• Severed the rotary dumper and added a bridge between dumper and lift. Still the rotary dumper can be clicked together as one module.
• Modified 180 degree turns on ribbed hose that run smoother
• All trains on lithium battery pack.

When the pneumatic module is finished I'll make a full movie with all details.

Edited December 4, 2018 by Berthil

[doug72]

Looks realy good, had to watch the video  a few times to work out the sequence of trains.

How will  the balls from the rotary dumper get to the puemstic loader ?

Is that Lego double crossover or 3D printed ?  TrixBrix do a version with the switches on the outside.

[Berthil]

@Doug72 this would be part of a full circle with GBC modules so other modules will bring the balls to the pneumatic loader.
When I display alone I intend to use the curves and unloader/loader module to bring back the balls from end to beginning with the trains and passing module and lots of tracks. So double win for this setup, can be used in either situation.

The crossover is a (costly) original LEGO part. But I may be should have gotten the TrixBrix version if I wan't to mechanically switch them although I think there is already enough to see and figure out without the switch :)
Pneumatic scissor lift module will also be nice to watch so even more to see when finished.

Edited December 4, 2018 by Berthil

[doug72]

1 hour ago, Berthil said:

Below my progress on a very compact train layout to be used during events on narrow tables

 

• Passing module is now a parallel waiting station to sync the trains so they don't collide. This means the module works in both directions instead of the original one which worked only in one direction.

We’re any modifications required ?

[Berthil]

3 hours ago, Doug72 said:

We’re any modifications required ?

Yes, the axle from one side needs extension to the other side with 8T gear (this for both sides) and I've made the whole module symmetrical and more sturdy now.

Edited December 4, 2018 by Berthil

[MajklSpajkl]

On 12/2/2018 at 12:21 PM, Frequenzberater said:

There are no other steps. There is only step 1.

I installed "Stud.io 2.0". What is the LDD Program you use? I will try that one. 

Stud.io is one program and LDD - lego digital designer is another - they use compatible files but are not the same. LDD is an official LEGO software and Studio is developed by Bricklink...

[Frequenzberater]

Thanks! 

But in the meantime I had a conversation with @dunesand he suggested to use The Lego Digital Designer with its automatic instruction function (by pressing F7).

Now I know everything I need :) 

[doug72]

On 12/4/2018 at 4:09 PM, Berthil said:

Passing module is now a parallel waiting station to sync the trains so they don't collide. T
his means the module works in both directions instead of the original one which worked only in one direction

Now converted my passing loop module to your Passing parallel waiting station. Used “pause” on your video to try and see how it was built.

Can be convereted back to a Passing Loop module by the addition of two track switches plus extra track and setting the switch blades to direct trains to pass each other.

I'll add this to the list of mods & improvements.

 

Edited December 8, 2018 by Doug72

[doug72]

List of Modules, Mods & Improvements & new modules.
Two new modules added, see page 1

Edited December 7, 2018 by Doug72

[Berthil]

Very nice overview! Soon I hope to have the pneumatic train loader ready to be added to the list. The build is progressing well and I got almost all the mechanics working.
When finished I will also make good pictures of the passing module.

[Berthil]

Pneumatic Scissor Lift finished and made a video together with the compact train layout.

Some pictures:

Don't mind the balls, forgot to clean them out after a small mishap and already had broken down the temporary studio:

Compressor internals by Quanix. I tried to incorporate a pressure switch and spend a lot of time on it but it didn't work well with the trains that operate batch-like:

Full track layout, only 1,5 meter length from curve to curve

Internals of the scissor lift:

And the bidirectional passing station as promised:

Edited December 13, 2018 by Berthil
typos

[dunes]

6 hours ago, Berthil said:

Full track layout, only 1,5 meter length from curve to curve

Excellent layout. I might going to copy it. Except for the sissor lift. which is nice but I dont like pneumatics.

[doug72]

Nice super compact & complex layout, took me a while to spot how the pneumatic switch was activated by the long lay shaft from the train dock.

I like the scissors lift but like @dunes I am not into pneumatics and don’t have enough parts anyway especially for the compressor

I tried earlier to devise a scissors lift to replace the train elevator but couldn’t get the geometry right, might have another try using linear actuators or the new gear racks with housings.

re Bi-directional passing module:
Works well but seems higher than original version sitting on the 6 x 2 x 2 bricks, to line up with the tight radius curves.
Also note you have racks positioned either side of each track to ensure the 8T gears engage OK.
I will add a better image of this to the list of train GBC modules.

Took me a while but I managed to make a copy yours but with racks positioned on the outside only.

[Berthil]

37 minutes ago, Doug72 said:

Works well but seems higher than original version sitting on the 6 x 2 x 2 bricks, to line up with the tight radius curves.

Correct, all tracks in this setup are one brick high. This for several reasons given below as I intend this to run for 7 days ate LEGO World 2019 and not only for a movie :)

• Entry and exit of the train for all modules is smoother.
• you may have noticed in your layouts, on a slippery surface the smaller modules tend to shift because of the spring operated train reverser switch shooter. Since there is not much room for the train to pass in a lot of places in this setup all track connections are attached with bricks so the tracks don't shift.
• 1 brick height is needed for the narrow curves with hoses and shaft below the track from train reverser switch to scissor lift.
• Passing module is much more stable now and doesn't fall apart when picking up and moving to events but the 1 brick height can be left out

[doug72]

1 hour ago, Berthil said:

Correct, all tracks in this setup are one brick high. This for several reasons given below as I intend this to run for 7 days ate LEGO World 2019 and not only for a movie :)

• Entry and exit of the train for all modules is smoother.
• you may have noticed in your layouts, on a slippery surface the smaller modules tend to shift because of the spring operated train reverser switch shooter. Since there is not much room for the train to pass in a lot of places in this setup all track connections are attached with bricks so the tracks don't shift.
• 1 brick height is needed for the narrow curves with hoses and shaft below the track from train reverser switch to scissor lift.
• Passing module is much more stable now and doesn't fall apart when picking up and moving to events but the 1 brick height can be left out

Thanks, that makes sense.
I have now put your image for the bi-diectional passing module on the list of modules.

TrixBrix make R24 standard track curves but do you think a train would run OK on rigid rails ?

https://www.trixbrix.eu/en_US/p/Curved-Track-R24/32

Edited December 13, 2018 by Doug72

[Great Ball Pit]

@Doug72 Do you think it would be possible to speed up the rotation of your turntable module?  I'd like to use 2 of them for a small GBC train module but I find they turn so slowly I don't think I'll be able to meet the output standard with just one car.

[doug72]

1 hour ago, Great Ball Pit said:

@Doug72 Do you think it would be possible to speed up the rotation of your turntable module?  I'd like to use 2 of them for a small GBC train module but I find they turn so slowly I don't think I'll be able to meet the output standard with just one car.

Just timed my t/t and it takes 12 secs for 180º rotation and 6 secs for 90º turn.

Speed up may be possible to change the right angle drive from 12/12 to 20/12 step up but would required the drive axle that runs down the side to be moved out by 1L and re-arrange the 12 T bevel gears and the axle supports. The gear rack may need altering a bit a 20T double gear wouldn't foul on the rack or move the side axle out by 2L.
This should give 7.2 decs for 180º & 3.6 secs for 90º.

I'll give a try later today.

Edited December 15, 2018 by Doug72

[doug72]

Re Speeding up turntable module:
Yes it can be done but it was a tight fit and did not have to move the worm gear axle out 1L.
20T double bevel gear clears the rack OK.

Rotation times as previous post at 7.2 secs. for 180º & 3.6 secs for 90º.

Tested and rotation with train entering, rotating & departing OK.

12T Gears to engage with t/t & worm gear remain unchanged.

IMG_6398

IMG_6399

IMG_6400

IMG_6402

 

With improved guide beams.

IMG_6403

 

Edited December 15, 2018 by Doug72
removed wrong info.

[Berthil]

I've tried to speed up the worm gear carrier of the Rotary Dumper some more apart from the already present 24:8 gears. The lift could do with some more speed in my compact train layout.

But as already expected, it's too much for the M-motor in the train. There is no real speed gain as forces get too high. Also the train jumps out of the carrier because of the high forces.

I have now build the Akiyuki gearing back in the carrier but keeping our simple switches. Best of both worlds. This runs very smooth with the four 24t gears for every lift beam and no gearing down and gearing up like with the worm gear. The two 8t gears on top of the 24t keeping the train down in the worm carrier sometimes also hook against the train in my setup. With the 4-gear drive they can be left out.

But of course the lift wants to come up with the counterweights and no train. I have made a simple switch at the bottom front to prevent that. Still have some testing to do but seems to work. Will post a picture soon.

Edited December 16, 2018 by Berthil

[Great Ball Pit]

Thanks @Doug72 I'm going to try out your changes!

[doug72]

Hope that will be fast enough for you, tried to get a 1:2 step up but would need a complete re-build to achieve that.

Had a few problems when some trains - facing in one direct tended to drop into the gap between T/T and track, now fitted improved guide beams as shown.
The two 5L beams in centre of track were in wrong position, now fixed.

Edited December 16, 2018 by Doug72

[doug72]

Simple Ultra Fast GBC Train Turntable - Video

Belt driven with a 12T single bevel gear engaging with the Z60 turntable.

Speed = 5 secs per 180º rotation with 30 balls in the hopper.

Note: The two blue pins are just temporary stops for testing rotation speed.

Now built and tested - see video below.

Yellow T/T = 7 secs per 180º turn Red T/T = 5 secs per 180º turn

Rubber belt and wedge wheels could be replaced by small chain and spur gears.

If used back to back as per video you need to get the position of each T/T correct so they rotate without jamming.

 

 

Edited December 16, 2018 by Doug72

[Berthil]

Finished converting the carrier back to Akiyuki drive so now without worm gear. The train has to work less hard, works very smooth and whole cycle is now 22 seconds instead of 29, a considerable win.
To keep the carrier down without train I added the below switch. Tested for half an hour and works very well.

[doug72]

Belt driven Fast GBC Train Turntable
When I shot the video both turntables worked perfectly but further testing revealed that the Red T/T using belt drive tended to over shoot and derail the train as it exited.
With more rotational speed comes greater inertia.

Solution:
An easy fix - just two blue pin/axle connectors required - inserted in the two 5L beams in centre of the track to give a positive rotation stop.
The roller on the catch arm hits the large fixed wheel & the blue pin aligning the T/T track exactly with the rail track.
The racks also altered 1L apart  to sit evenly between the train wheel 8T gears. 

Exit is now much smoother and side guide beams no longer required.
Speed is 5secs / 180º turn

Edited December 18, 2018 by Doug72