19 replies to this topic

[YesItsMartin]

This is now finished, see the video here:
https://www.youtube....h?v=nH5ubK-S6PA



Welcome to my new project!

I haven't made many coasters before, but as my last project (Fully automatic drop tower) was a success, I thought I'd try and make an automated coaster that has a special element that would be better if it were automated... So I decided on a tilt coaster as I've only seen a few using classic K'nex so I thought I'd try a micro one. This presents a number of challenges, but I thought I would try!

I haven't got too far with any layout yet, as I started with the tilt mechanism and electronics, as that is the complicated part.


Please excuse any coaster building techniques that may not be perfect, for me this is about the mechanics and technical aspect, not making a replica of a real coaster

Here is the tilt section at the top of the chain lift:


Here it is slightly tilted:


This is the solenoid used for releasing (and holding) the train, this is actually inside the tilt section so it moves with that track section. It was also used to release the drop car on my drop tower.


Power supply for the chain lift, tilt section and train release:

Excuse the messy wires, I'll neaten this up later (maybe)

And finally the brains of the coaster (sort of) this is what will control the motors via a USB connection to a computer. I'll either fully automate it or set it up to be controlled via the PC, or both... This was also used on my drop tower


I'm a little restricted on space, so it's not as tall as it was when I started, it'll likely end up being a relatively basic coaster, with the special feature being the tilt element.

Thank you for looking!

Edited by YesItsMartin, 21 July 2014 - 11:18 AM.

[Witting]

He did it again! I would try to fix the crest if you can though.

[YesItsMartin]

I know it looks a little sharp from those angles, but it seems to work okay, the reason I did this mini pre-drop is so the train has enough speed to get to the end of the tilt section from the chain lift as there is nothing there to drive the train forwards due to space, I'll be sure to change it if it causes any issues in the future though, thanks for the feedback!

[DDRman732865]

That is legit. I don't recall anything this technical with slim track.

[Cobra Roller]

Never seen this before. It's much harder to do this sort of thing with VV, but I'm glad to see this as it's time for VV to be awesome again. Can't wait to see the entire coaster.

[Connector1o1]

Wow looks so perfect! I was never any good with mechanical and electronics. Although I guess I will learn in collage...
Do you have enough pieces for a spine? It looks really cool!

[Muzz135]

This is so cool! Brilliant so far! Continue!!!

[+Timmeh+]

Woah! Great Idea, cant wait to see more

[YesItsMartin]

Thanks for the feedback guys! Really supportive

Speaking of support... I seem to have run into a problem making a decent spine for the track, it's not a strength problem it's more about me not owning a million of these little micro parts...

Unless anyone has a good method of supporting VV track without using all the K'Nex I own? Haha

Also I'm thinking of making a cobra roll after the drop, I've never made one before so that could be interesting!

Here is what I have so far in terms of the spine, this is between the future station and the chain lift:

[intim305]

All I have to say is that is not a very strong spine. Theres kind of a standard spine everyome seems to use on these. Looks something like this:

Its worked great for what ive used so far.it does take pieces, I dont have many either tho.

The overbank there is another way to do it that works well. Looks great so far other than the spine!

[The Stig]

The spice that you're using with the ladders isn't going to be very strong. You can strengthen it by adding rods through the holes of the ladders. The spine with half-moons is one of my favorites. It's great for shaping and works just as well as a spine. The spine that intim305 posted is the most popular. Alao, it's not entirely impossible to make a coaster without a spine. It just requires more supports.

By using different spines throughout the layout, it's going to make it a little more difficult to get just the right shape you're aiming for. Uniformity will benefit you in the long run.

[Jumpge]

That pre-lift is beautiful. Nice work.

[YesItsMartin]

Sorry I haven't updated in a while, I've been busy with things

The coaster is finished, although it is very small... This is a combination of time/size so it is what it is!

Anyway, the video is complete and can be seen here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH5ubK-S6PA
https://www.youtube....h?v=nH5ubK-S6PA

Thank you for looking!

[Terry Hughes]

Very impressive!

What pray telll is that controller board you used?

[dgohstand]

That's amazing! Nice work!

[YesItsMartin]

Very impressive!

What pray telll is that controller board you used?

Thank you very much!

The board is a Denkovi USB eight channel relay board, I bought it from their ebay store, not sure if I'm allowed to link on here... It's very useful!

[IonZer0]

Links are perfectly acceptable.

USB Relay Boards for Home Automation Projects items in Denkovi DAEStore store on eBay!

Awesome job! I wish I was that innovative!

[SamIsSoAwsome]

This is Amazing! I really like it and the videoing's superb! Great job!

[CW5X]

Great work with the video. The soundtrack fitted it very nicely and the camerawork was excellent. You nailed the automation for the tilt so it doesn't matter that it's small. It's still awesome.