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Rogue Recon: A Star Wars Coaster


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#1 Chaos

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Posted 05 April 2018 - 04:04 PM

Steelworks is gone, and now I'm building my most daunting project yet. It will be heavily themed (even for my standards) and highly technical (basically just stealing all of stεεlspectrum's ideas).

 

The plan is to have a story line, multiple trains, and a fully functioning block brake system, as well as scenes where the train stops and the story develops in a more visual manner. I have begun work on the launch, which is the first of many different methods of propulsion. 

 

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Edited by Chaos, 05 April 2018 - 04:08 PM.



#2 IOAgeek

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Posted 07 April 2018 - 08:05 PM

There may be to much string that is being wounded up because when the catch car is released the extra string will go out onto the track, you maybe want to play around with the string length you're using, so you have that perfect length based on the launch track length, which will make your launch clean and run perfectly every time.




#3 ~stεεlspectrum~

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Posted 09 April 2018 - 11:03 PM

Yes!!! This is going to be an incredible construction to watch. I love seeing your reaction to the first successful launch - I know that's a great feeling :D

I hope you can find some ways to improve the launch! It looks like you were able to figure out the launch track structure even without a tutorial (it isn't too complicated, after all). It's pretty smart to use the train's momentum to release it, because it's going to take a decent amount of force to separate those gears once the launch is wound up. I am a little concerned about the train not locking into the catch car reliably, especially if it launches while the train is in motion. That's the whole reason I used a separate motor to push the train backwards into the catch car. But I'm confident that you'll figure out a solution!

 

And you've probably already seen it, but this guy has a really neat trigger mechanism for mechanically releasing the launch (skip to 2:17):




#4 Chaos

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Posted 12 April 2018 - 07:21 PM

Thanks guys! IOAgeek, you were 100% correct about the string. That was one if the first things I had to fix. And that launch tutorial is super helpful. I had to adjust several things on the launch, like have the EV3 initiate the launch instead of the train. And I'm still having a few issues (the train catching on the catch car chief among them).

 



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#5 YolosweggLord

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Posted 13 April 2018 - 07:46 PM

I love the blog style updates you have going on. It’s quite fun to watch your technical explanations of the launch mechanisms.


#6 Chaos

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Posted 19 April 2018 - 09:24 PM

^Thanks! These construction videos are keeping me working at a steady pace instead of slacking like I usually do.

 

The trains are (mostly) done! And so is the launch!

 

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#7 rgarner42

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Posted 20 April 2018 - 04:25 PM

Ooh you've got the launch working! Well done. I need to try one of these at some point. 

 

Nice trains too, a bit weird using tape, but it works!




#8 Gromit15

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Posted 21 April 2018 - 01:54 AM

I really like the cars. Though, what if you used an R2D2 for one of the rebel's cars? So it could tie in with more of the star wars movies.
I'm really digging the videos, keep them coming!

In pieces logo thing

 


#9 Chaos

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Posted 26 April 2018 - 09:13 PM

^I actually bought an R2D2 to put on the 4th train! But it was bigger than all the other ones. That's why I had to order another BB8. But that just means that now I'll find a cooler place to put R2.

 

I'm finally starting to get into the fun part . . . the theming! Also did a little track work as well. And I'd like to thank ~stεεlspectrum~ yet again, as many elements of this coaster would not be possible without him designing them first.

 

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#10 rgarner42

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Posted 27 April 2018 - 09:48 AM

The helix looks well shaped. But it needs more track to support/base connections and I'd add middle tubing to the track too. 




#11 Gromit15

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Posted 27 April 2018 - 04:01 PM

That helix looks so smooth! This is truly going to be one of the coolest Knex coasters made. What is that structure in the background? Attached File  20180427_135815.jpg   144.64KB   0 downloads
This seems like it's going to be a nightmare automating. How will you control all aspects of the ride? Will it be one single Lego NXT set?
Can't wait to see what you come up with. Really looking forward to it. Keep up the great work!

In pieces logo thing

 


#12 OddlyCreative

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Posted 29 April 2018 - 01:32 PM

take advantage of all the pieces you have! Try to support the coaster better, using smaller sized rods in building box supports will help.




#13 frank

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Posted 29 April 2018 - 05:52 PM

That helix looks so smooth! This is truly going to be one of the coolest Knex coasters made. What is that structure in the background? attachicon.gif20180427_135815.jpg
This seems like it's going to be a nightmare automating. How will you control all aspects of the ride? Will it be one single Lego NXT set?
Can't wait to see what you come up with. Really looking forward to it. Keep up the great work!

 

"What is that structure in the background?"\

 

Its this




#14 Chaos

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Posted 03 May 2018 - 05:30 PM

As far as the supports go, I'll be adding a lot more as the theming elements start going up. And yes, the structure was for my Shoot the Chutes model. I thought of incorporating it into this ride's theming somehow, but I don't think its going to work so I'll destroy it soon.

 

Didn't have much time to build this week, but here's another update anyway. Got the final drop (mostly) complete.

 

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#15 ~stεεlspectrum~

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Posted 05 May 2018 - 03:13 PM

Haha, "however many downs it needs". These vlog updates are entertaining! This is great, I love the color scheme and the theming plan. It looks like you got the launch working pretty well, but I'd love to see more detail on that. How are you stopping the train on the launch? How does it latch onto the catch car?




#16 Chaos

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Posted 10 May 2018 - 07:58 PM

^I hope to go into more detail for the launch in next weeks video.

 

But for this week, I got the little brother I'm mentoring to help me out with one of the main support towers. He was really good for never having played with K'nex before! Also, the tower will stop being so wobbly when I finish reinforcing it.

 

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#17 EpochEmu

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Posted 12 May 2018 - 12:22 PM

I love how smooth those turns look. Looking forward to the theming!




#18 Chaos

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Posted 17 May 2018 - 06:16 PM

^Thanks! 

 

Now my stealing of stεεlspectrum's ideas continues. I'm making a hubless ferris wheel lift!

 

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#19 ~stεεlspectrum~

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Posted 19 May 2018 - 11:13 AM

Holy hubless, Batman! It looks spot on. The circular tubing rings are frustrating to make, so good luck with those. Is it going to exit the ferris wheel lift backwards? Hopefully you can find some ways to improve on the design :)
Also, I was expecting the hyperspace tunnel to be around a launch...it just would have made so much sense. The turns make a very nice start to the ride though! (good for storytelling purposes)


#20 G Force

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Posted 19 May 2018 - 06:48 PM

Your ambition and creativity is always great to see, looking forward to more.