Tag: Designed by Lawrie George

  • Lego GBC Mini Golf Putter V2.2 Update

    Lego GBC Mini Golf Putter V2.2 Update

    Lego GBC Mini Golf Putter V2.2 Update is a list of changes to the Lego GBC Golf Putter V2 that is used in the Lego GBC Mini Golf course.

    The update contains the following mix of cosmetic and performance-based changes.

    • The main pistons are now 1 plate higher to ensure balls are passed to the final piston.
    • The input ramp angle is now slightly steeper.
    • Added snot bricks and studs to stop the input ramp flipping up.
    • The drive ratio has been increased from 20/12 to 20/16 to speed the module to just over 1 ball per second on full speed.
    • The crankshaft now uses 1×3 thin liftarms instead of connectors to reduce friction.
    • Conrods are now in yellow for better visibility.
    • Stop axles are now used for transfer drive to make extension easier.
    • The body has been reinforced with liftarms for better transport durability.
    • Putter drive axle now has a slip join to better handle accidental direction reversal.
    • The putter will no longer hit the backing green.
    • V2.2.1, add a inset into step 78 to clarify timing.

    Videos

    Video of the updates.

    Video of the extensions.

  • Lego GBC EV3 Truck

    Lego GBC EV3 Truck

    Lego GBC EV3 Truck or G.E.T GBC EV3 TRUCK is a Lego Great Ball Contraption Module It is a utility train module for recirculation balls or filling large gaps in a table.

    The initial idea was to be trackless and uses IR Beacons for detecting the start and ends, however using train tracks as a guide has proved to be more reliable and allows the module to fit behind other modules.

    Night Lighting

    The reservoir has a custom Lego UV/Led lights, with the UV shining on the balls and the Lego light passing through a trans-colored brick to color the module.

    The Trucks headlights and taillights both light up and change their pattern depending on the direction of travel.

    Loading and Unloading

    Loading is done from an elevated bin that the truck opens via a spring-loaded trap door.

    Unloading is done by the truck tilting its tray.

    Videos

    Videos of this module in operation.

    Boxes

    Lego GBC EV3 Truck packs into a single 24x18x10″/60x46x25cm  bespoke cardboard box.

    In order to fit, it breaks into several key pieces.

    • Truck.
    • Input feed conveyor.
    • Input tower reservoir.
    • 20ft / 6m of tracks are broken into 3 piece segments.
    • 2 EV3 Batteries, 3 PF Rechargeable batteries, and 3 chargers.
    • A few curved and flexible track pieces.
    • It is also packed with a Lego GBC Reservoir Lift in Yellow.

    You can read about other boxes here Boxes for Lego GBC Modules.

    Modules

    Builds and revisions to this module.

    Version 1

    Pieces Cost Time
    1500+ $$$$ 2 Months
    • The module uses an EV3 programmed using Python (Programming Lego EV3’s)
    • The front and rear IR sensors are used for collision detection.
    • The bottom color sensor is used for start and end validation.
    • The loading mechanism is triggered by the truck and fed by a slow conveyor.
    • The unload module is a reservoir that will return balls at 1 ball per second.

    Version 2

    Pieces Cost Time
    1500+ $$$$ 1 Week
    • Add an anti-jam flap to chain lift and adjust chain speed.
    • Add gears to drive motor and racks to track for better traction.
    • Update the software to slow the truck down on shorter runs.

  • Lego GBC Mini Golf

    Lego GBC Mini Golf

    Lego GBC Mini Golf is a collection of 9 golf-course modules, it had its beginnings as a way to build a lot of similar modules that were all visually different to look at.

    From here it evolved into a 9 hole mini golf course that had detailed models on every third hole and winding courses in-between.

    One of the key design challenges (besides keeping it compact) was to ensure that every course would always score a hole-in-one to ensure it did not slow other modules in a bigger GBC layout.

    Early layout sketch

    One of the initial challenges was determining the course layout so that the course remained compact.

    For this, I found it easier to sketch out the shapes and arrange them in different orders.

    Night Lighting

    Each course has its own lighting consisting of my custom Lego UV/Led lights to light up the reservoir and the LEGO light lighting up the inside of the lift module.

    There is also additional lighting in the Easter Island Heads eyes and the Pyramids flames.

    The Alligator gets a glowing ball in its mouth, London Bridge has its windows lit up and the Fire bridge has glowing flames.

    Lastly, the Windmill has some UV sensitive Lego bricks on the blades which are lit up by some additional UV lights

    Videos

    Videos of this module in operation

    V2 height extensions

    V2 to V2.2 changes

    Awards

    My Mini Golf Course has won several awards and has been featured on Tested! and Beyond the Brick.

    Boxes

    Lego GBC Mini Golf packs into a two 24x18x10″/60x46x25cm  bespoke cardboard boxes.

    In order to fit, it breaks into several key pieces.

    Box 1.

    • Two Putters (one is a spare).
    • Tower Bridge.
    • Windmill tower.
    • Fire Bridge.
    • Alligator Island.
    • Windmill course.
    • Pharaohs Tomb.

    Box 2

    • 8 golf putters
    • Right Turn.
    • Easter Island.
    • Sand Hills.
    • Long Curve.

    You can read about other boxes here Boxes for Lego GBC Modules.

    Modules

    Builds and revisions to this module.

    Putter Version 1

    GBC Mini Golf Putter V1 Instructions

    Pieces Cost Time to Prototype and Build
    550+ $$ 2 Months

    Originally based on Stuarts lift module, this putter design has now had over 40 hours of running proving it to be a robust module.

    Putter Version 2

    Pieces Cost  Time to Prototype and Build
    500+ $$ 1 Month

    This module was designed to improve the flexibility of the putter to meet GBC standard when creating some golf courses.

    • Making the input area angle adjustable.
    • Make the module expandable for alternate start heights.

    Lego GBC Mini Golf Putter V2 Instructions.

    Putter Version 2.2

    Pieces Cost  Time to Prototype and Build
    500+ $$ 1 Month

    Version 2.2 contains a mix of cosmetic and performance-based changes, you can read about these changes here Lego GBC Mini Golf Putter V2.2 Update.

    Lego GBC Mini Golf Putter V2 Instructions.

    9 Hole Mini Golf Course

    Pieces Cost Time
    8000+ $$$$ 4 Months

    Courses:
    A list of the modules in the full mini golf course.

    1. Right Turn.
    2. Easter Island.
    3. Pharaohs Tomb.
    4. Alligator Island.
    5. Sand Hills.
    6. London Bridge.
    7. Long Curve.
    8. Fire Bridge.
    9. Windmill.

  • Lego GBC Super Tower Battle

    Lego GBC Super Tower Battle

    For Lego GBC Super Tower Battle I wanted to challenge myself to build a tall accurate shooter.

    The initial idea always had two shooters to reduce the fire rate down to 1 ball every 2 seconds.

    The Superhero aspect came later after my kids started to place mini-figs on the building, from here it evolved to show specific powers for each hero.

    Night Lighting

    This module is set up for night running and uses a range of lights for different effects.

    The initial loader uses one of my custom Lego UV/Led lights, with the UV shining on the balls and the lego light lighting up the gearing.

    There are also lights shining through various transparent colors to light up the shooter barrels and superheroes.

    I also use another UV light to make Green Lanterns construct glow.

    Heroes in Action

    Photos for different aspects of the module.

    Videos

    Videos of this module in operation

    Boxes

    Lego GBC Super Tower Battle packs into two 24x18x10″/60x46x25cm  bespoke cardboard boxes.

    In order to fit, it breaks into several key pieces.

    Box 1

    • Tower.
    • Feed Train.

    Box 2

    • Red and Yellow Shooters.
    • Tower-Top and Net
    • It is also packed with Lego GBC Cardan Lift V2 as I run these modules together.

    You can read about other boxes here Boxes for Lego GBC Modules.

    Modules

    Builds and revisions to this module

    Version 1

    Pieces Cost Time
    3000+ $$$$ 2 Months
    • Dual shooters to reduce fire rate.
    • Net created from smaller nets.

    My Variation

    Pieces Cost Time
    3000+ $$$$ 1 Month

    Completely rebuilt.

    • Shooters are now more accurate, needing only a single net.
    • Tiled all building floors to stop balls from getting trapped.
    • New feeder train car that divides the balls better between shooters.

  • Lego GBC Scrolling Display

    Lego GBC Scrolling Display

    Lego GBC Scrolling Display was my first module built, it had its origin in watching a bunch of GBC YouTube videos and wanting to come up with a mechanism that was both original and provide a technical challenge.

    It took 4 months of experimenting to come up with a working design that I considered show ready.

    Early prototype

    It took 4 months of experimenting to come up with a working design that I considered show ready.

    This video is about 2 months into the build where the design forced balls onto the the pin belt.

    Printhead

    The print-head forms the core mechanism of the printer.

    It uses 4 EV3 motors to operate 5 dot pins and the dropping mechanism.

    • Motor 1 is for dots 1 and 2.
    • Motor 2 is for dot 3.
    • Motor 3 is for dots 4 and 5.
    • Motor 4 is for the drop and load.

    Each letter of the Alphabet is encoded in a dictionary that represents them as dots, for instance, A = (11110,00101,11110) or L = (11111,10000,10000) in this way the program knows how to drive the motors to print a letter.

    Night Lighting

    Lego GBC Scrolling Display looks great at night and the words can be easier to read.

    It uses some of my custom Lego UV/Led lights to light up the start reservoir and balls path.

    The EV3 is also lit up so the program running is visible.

    Boxes

    Lego GBC Scrolling Display packs into a single 24x18x10″/60x46x25cm  bespoke cardboard box.

    In order to fit, it breaks into several key pieces.

    • Print-head.
    • Conveyer belt, this actually splits in the middle and is compressed together.
    • EV3 Brick.
    • Print-head feed conveyor.
    • Input Lift module.
    • Various ramps and cables are packed in a top box.

    You can read about other boxes here Boxes for Lego GBC Modules.

    Videos

    Videos of this module in operation

    Awards

    My Scrolling Display module won a “Staff Favourite Award” at BrickFair NJ 2017.

    Modules

    Builds and revisions to this module.

    Version 1

    Pieces Cost Time
    3000+ $$$$ 4 Months

    Version 2

    Pieces Cost Time
    3000+ $$$$ 2 Months

    Entirely Re-engineered with the exception of the print head.

    • Longer belt to show full LEGO GBC.
    • More reliable input and recirculation sections.
    • Taller to allow easier clearing of lost balls.
    • Made ev3 visible so people could watch program.

    Version 2.1

    Pieces Cost Time
    3000+ $$$$ 2 Weeks
    • Added an NXT to automatically cache balls.
    • Changed the belt liftarms to black.