LEGO GBC - 5 Modules

Sorry for the long gap between posts, I just have been really busy this summer! Anyway a few months ago I started building a GBC, I didn't put a whole lot of time into it so it took a lot longer than it normally would to finish. After about three months of on and off work I finally finished it! More will be posted below.

I first decided to build a Great Ball Contraption after being inspired by many other great GBC builders such as: Akiyuky, Yiharua, and LegoGBC just to name a few. I first built the "Ferris wheel" module, then I built the "Mechanical chain" module, after the first two modules were completed I started putting it together. Then I started adding more modules, until I had finished the loop. After that I fixed out all the glitches and created the program for the NXT module.

Here is the video of my GBC in action:

Overall I wouldn't say this is my best creation ever, but it was one of the ones I am most proud of. Also I am planning on making a 2.0 version sometime in the near future which should be A LOT better then this one, so stay tuned! 

Additional information and pictures can be found here. 

My Website and other News!

Okay so for the past week I have been working on my website! I still have alot of work but I hope to finish it soon! You can see what it looks like here (but there is nothing on it, I haven't published my changes yet, I will when I finish it). My website will be where I post my projects along with instructions, videos, ect.... Here will be where I post Mindstorm NXT news and other NXT related stuff!

Also just today NXTLog has released the winners of their "Crazy Contraption" challenge the one I entered "The Circulator" in, well I found out I won the "Best Technical Presentation" award xD! Here is what they said about my entry:

BEST TECHNICAL PRESENTATION:
  "We looked for NXTLOGs that best documented how the Crazy Contraption robot was designed, programmed, and functions in a clear, concise, and creative way."
"The Circulator"
Created by: nxtstep101
"The Circulator" is a minimalist designed GBC (Great Ball Contraption) that circulates small plastic balls through 3 different modules and ends up at the beginning, and starts all over again. nxtstep101 takes readers through each module in the NXTLOG with beautiful photos, descriptions, a video, and program file. Great work nxtstep101 on clearly documenting your robot's technical capabilities! "

To see the other winners click here.

One of the other winners was NXTLog and YT user: MySnailEatsPizza he entered a huge GBC into the challenge which he called "Circular Reasonings 2" here is the video of the GBC at work! I would say that this is one of the best GBC's on the web!

I am working on an entry into a car building challenge me and a couple of other people on NXTLog started it is a Car building challenge. Check it out and enter!

     After I finish entering I will get started on some of my more complex projects! So stay tuned ;-)

"The Circulator"

I have finally finished my MOC! Presenting......... "The Circulator" 

 

  When I heard NXTLog was hosting a "crazycontraption" contest I couldn't wait to get started on an entry, but I only had one NXT set so I couldn't make a really big robot, but I started anyway and it turned out great. Okay now on too the details!

Overview picture.

Module 1: When the ball comes down the ramp it falls in between two technic beam liftarms with a 53 degree angle and will spin 90 degrees every 3.5 seconds. Then after 7 seconds it will be pushed of onto a ramp that goes to the next module.

Module 2: This one is based on a popular GBC module.  A motor geared down moves a beam with axles through the end in circles to push balls up a 45 degree angle, which pushes them onto another ramp that leads to the last module.

Module 3: This last module is one of the most common modules, all it does is wait until the ultrasonic sensor sees something pass by and waits 1 second to lift the arm up to start the chain all over again.

Conclusion: This has really been a fun project for me to build, and I hope to build an even bigger one when I get my 2.0!

Here is a bird's eye view of "The Circulator"

Video: You know the saying "a picture is worth 1,000 words Well I say this video is worth 10,000 words :P

Enjoy!