69 replies to this topic

[~stεεlspectrum~]

Hey guys!

 

This coaster isn't a big deal, I haven't been planning for this one or anything. I just wanted to build a simple & reliable cable launch that I could automate. But I might as well build a coaster to go with it too. It's inspired by Volcano at Kings Dominion. That structure around the weird tophat thing is going to become a volcano, but I don't think I'll put any sort of theming on it.

 

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The main simplification in this version is the gearing - I tried to keep it simple so that there's not much to break. Also, the surgical tubing winds back and forth 2 times underneath the launch - this keeps it stretched pretty tightly even when the launch has been released. This makes the train accelerate for the whole length of the launch, instead of a quick burst at the beginning.

 

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And a test video, for those of you who like test videos.

 

Does anyone have ideas for the layout?

 

[SCM]

Ha, the beginning is like a mini Unleashed. IMO the top is kind of sharp, but I'm not sure if the train would make it otherwise unless you upped the tension... which I'm not sure how much this launch structure could take and still keep reliability. 

[~stεεlspectrum~]

Ha, the beginning is like a mini Unleashed. IMO the top is kind of sharp, but I'm not sure if the train would make it otherwise unless you upped the tension... which I'm not sure how much this launch structure could take and still keep reliability.

Ah, Unleashed was such a cool coaster! I wish Jumpge would build another one. Ok, I rounded out the tophat a bit - is it any better? Or does it need to be rounder?
Also please ignore the ugly turn...haha, it's not quite finished yet.

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[YolosweggLord]

I'm liking the way this is looking. That tophat reminds me of the dive loop on the new RMC raptors, only in reverse. As for the layout... just make sure not to copy the monotonous turns and heartlines of Volcano and you're good.

[SCM]

The tophat looks great now! I love the heartlining in the second picture. It's just so sexy.  

 

As for the layout... just make sure not to copy the monotonous turns and heartlines of Volcano and you're good.

 

Rule 33: For every invert that exists, there is a sit-down copy of it... and vice versa. 

[Sporech]

Nice. That launch looks smooth.

 

Are you planning on a 2nd launch like the real Volcano?

[OddlyCreative]

I would love to see some rare element(s) like a flying snake dive (which would transition nicely after the helix).

[~stεεlspectrum~]

Thanks guys! Ha, there's no way I'm copying the layout from Volcano. Sometimes I wonder how that layout ever got approved.. I'd like to do more diving turns and inversions and keep it close to the mountain.

I'm not planning on a 2nd launch, I don't think it's necessary seeing as this one is fast enough. To save space, it will probably launch right out of the station.

And flying snake dives are cool elements! I started one, but it turned into more of a heartline roll...maybe I can fit one later in the layout. The next element (where the crossties end) is supposed to be a stengel dive down the side of the mountain.

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I'd like to include a loop where the bottom is underground but the top sticks out of the mountain.. I'm not sure where that will go though.

[Old_Hag]

This is extremely convoluted already. I like it! I don't see any shaping issues either.

Edited by Old_Hag, 02 February 2018 - 07:52 PM.

[~stεεlspectrum~]

Thanks, convoluted is what I'm going for!

 

A quick update for y'all:

 

[msoccerkidm]

I can't believe how sturdy the tophat is with how little it is supported. I'm really excited to see what's next!

[~stεεlspectrum~]

^ It really helps to put the flexi-rods on the tophat. The black connectors just allow the track to twist better. Before I put them on, thetophat would bend under the weight of the train.

The layout is continuing to grow, along with the mountain.

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Any comments on shaping? I'm not sure about the exit from the immelmann.
I'm using up pieces on the mountain structure pretty quickly, but I think I'll have enough to finish.


EDIT:

[SCM]

I see what you mean about the immelmann exit. I think the banking should end sooner, at about halfway down... that is, the second X-tie after the blue 3d TTS connection. 

[commando]

The exit from the immelmann looks like it has a medium sized flat spot. 

 

The section of the immelmann where the track goes vertical also looks funny. I think it should be a little more round. It could just be the camera distortion, but it looks like you enter the immelmann, go vertical and kind of hit a flat spot, and then snap out of it. 

[Sporech]

Wow, how do you do these so quickly!

 

The supports are beautiful and the shaping's great. I hope my work-in-progress launch coaster turns out as good as this.

[Jogumpie]

I just wanted to come in and tell you that I enjoy the launch in the first video. The acceleration is definitely more spread out over the whole launch track.

[rgarner42]

Nice to see you building another coaster. 

 

I agree with commando, especially about the immelmann's exit, you can see it best on the thumbnail for the video. 

But overall, this looks really nice. I wish I could get a launch like that to work, and I love the turn you're just finishing. 

[~stεεlspectrum~]

Thanks, guys! And thanks for stopping by, Gump, it's always nice to see people like you around. Sorry for the delay, I was out of town for a week.

This immelmann is tougher to shape than I expected - I suspect part of the problem is that the twist doesn't drop back to the ground. Anyone know of a ride I could compare it to?

I tried fixing it, here's what I got:
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[pkiknex25]

First off, how did I miss this until now? This is fantastic! 

Second, maybe you just need another support point in the exit of the immelmann. Shaping wise, I actually think it is fine itself, but it does look funky when you look at the progression of the layout where it cuts sharply into the stengel dive. It makes the banking/twisting of the track look inconsistent. I would say that everything in the immelmann through the last support point on the twist is good, so I would focus more on the transition from the immelmann to the stengel dive.

[~stεεlspectrum~]

First off, how did I miss this until now? This is fantastic!
Second, maybe you just need another support point in the exit of the immelmann. Shaping wise, I actually think it is fine itself, but it does look funky when you look at the progression of the layout where it cuts sharply into the stengel dive. It makes the banking/twisting of the track look inconsistent. I would say that everything in the immelmann through the last support point on the twist is good, so I would focus more on the transition from the immelmann to the stengel dive.

Thanks! I added a support, which definitely helped, and adjusted the transition into the stengel like you said. I'm quite happy with it now.

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So I finished the diving turn and added a bunny hop into a turn up the mountainside. As you can see, I still have quite a bit of speed, and I'm not sure what to do with the rest of the layout. I want to do a tight helix inside the mountain, but I could use some more ideas.
See that crosstie on the gray rod at the bottom of the last pic? That's how much speed I need before I head back to the station.