GBC Marble Pump - Version 3

[LegoGBC]

Hi!

I made a new GBC module.

This one wasn't aimed to be complex or very clever - It was aimed to be simple and easy to operate.

I built it because many people on youtube asked me for a simple,not motorized GBC module,and only uses common Lego pieces.

It's very fun to operate as you only need to press a button and the ball elevates,unlike previous marble pumps which were hard to operate by hand.

I think that the video & description provide enough info...so...here's the video (there is also a LDD file in the description)

[Doc_Brown]

This is sweet! Thanks for sharing.

I'm really looking into GBC stuff, Just need lots of balls.

[Jim]

Very nice!

Everytime I see a post like this, I am hoping TLG will release a modular GBC Technic subtheme. That would be so awesome.

Is there a centralized database, forum, website or something for all GBCs?

[LegoGBC]

Very nice!

Everytime I see a post like this, I am hoping TLG will release a modular GBC Technic subtheme. That would be so awesome.

Is there a centralized database, forum, website or something for all GBCs?

No :/ There is a website called http://www.greatballcontraption.com/,but it's very old and outdated.

There is no GBC forum and since Technic is the closest to GBC,I post it here..

[Jim]

I found that website, but it's indeed quite outdated.

Would be nice to have a collection of GBCs with Building Instructions etc, divided in categories like starter, intermediate, advanced, superior.

I am always amazed how people can create huge contraptions with a single motor.

Probably needs a lot of practice and trial and error to get things up and running.

[PsyKater]

This is sweet! Thanks for sharing.

I'm really looking into GBC stuff, Just need lots of balls.

Balls to you, Sir!

[msx80]

very compact and simple, i like it!

i'd also like some more info on GBC, i had an hard time browing very old forum posts around the net to collect bits of knowledge. It would be fantastic to have something like a wiki with all tips and tricks.

[Jim]

very compact and simple, i like it!

i'd also like some more info on GBC, i had an hard time browing very old forum posts around the net to collect bits of knowledge. It would be fantastic to have something like a wiki with all tips and tricks.

That's exactly what I was hoping for. That would be very nice.

[captainmib]

Well, maybe you can start something here. With a pinned topic, and start a wiki?

[Jim]

Could do that, but GBC is not really my field of expertise. I'm just really enthusiastic when I see GBC creations.

[LegoGBC]

A GBC knowledge base could be very good.

I'm currently working on a series of tutorials for making "your first GBC" - these will include common pieces used including the GBC balls,building a runway,handy mechanisms (output splitter,ball isolation etc) and some LDD files of GBC modules.

Edited August 11, 2013 by LegoGBC

[Jim]

That's great!!

You can start a new topic and maybe it will get pinned.

Looking forward to it.

[LegoGBC]

That's great!!

You can start a new topic and maybe it will get pinned.

Looking forward to it.

Might take a while as I'm working on my new GBC modules & loop,but I have it planned for this month. Hopefully i'll have the time.

[EyesOnly]

Go for it. I'm also a little tempted to get into GBC but need to get some large base plates and some balls.

[Yiharua]

Is there a centralized database, forum, website or something for all GBCs?

The closest thing I know is my own blog, searching in the GBC cathegory. Most of the last GBCs are updated on my blog (2011-2013).

http://yiharuablog.wordpress.com/?s=gbc

Buuut you´ve given me an idea. I am interested in doing that GBC database... If times comes to my life it will be a fact. ;)

[msx80]

A GBC knowledge base could be very good.

I'm currently working on a series of tutorials for making "your first GBC" - these will include common pieces used including the GBC balls,building a runway,handy mechanisms (output splitter,ball isolation etc) and some LDD files of GBC modules.

Please do!

Another thing i miss is a good glossary. There are a lot of terms in GBC forums that i don't understand, such as "hopper".. what is it ? :)

As for my experience: I managed to build a very simple marble pump some month ago, and i learned that building a GBC is HARD! i knew it beforehand, but not THAT much! The worst part is calibrating everything: a small offset on a lever or button or such can break down a whole mechanism.. But when you correct that, another part disalign and require calibration. Also, maybe it's becouse i'm a rookie, but it requires a lot of pieces. Gears, axle, structural elements, etc.

Another thing i learned is that the balls are evil :) if there's the remote possibility that some balls get stuck, they surely will! For example my input box included a mixer becouse no matter the shape i gave to it, balls kept jamming every minute :(

As i said, i'm relatively new to technics, so maybe most of that is becouse i suck :P

[Yiharua]

Balls are very naughty yes :D.

Hopper is the part where balls wait to be moved, at the entrance of the module. :)

That is the hopper of one of my old modules. ;)

[LegoGBC]

Please do!

Another thing i miss is a good glossary. There are a lot of terms in GBC forums that i don't understand, such as "hopper".. what is it ? :)

As for my experience: I managed to build a very simple marble pump some month ago, and i learned that building a GBC is HARD! i knew it beforehand, but not THAT much! The worst part is calibrating everything: a small offset on a lever or button or such can break down a whole mechanism.. But when you correct that, another part disalign and require calibration. Also, maybe it's becouse i'm a rookie, but it requires a lot of pieces. Gears, axle, structural elements, etc.

Another thing i learned is that the balls are evil :) if there's the remote possibility that some balls get stuck, they surely will! For example my input box included a mixer becouse no matter the shape i gave to it, balls kept jamming every minute :(

As i said, i'm relatively new to technics, so maybe most of that is becouse i suck :P

Yes,GBC modules take TONS of tweaks to make them run well.

Even tough it may be frustrating (and it is when a module fails), it worth it when you finish the module and see it work :)

This module that you are commenting on for example (the marble pump v3) has a very simple mechanism - but it took A LOT of time and tons of troubleshooting to make it run well,and as you said: many times fixing one problem

caused another...but with some experience you start expecting the problems and manage to avoid them.