Hey all! It has been forever since I've posted something in here... Some 2,5 years ago I build this coaster - and it has been standing in my room ever since. About time to show it off!
Cannonball resembles a short launched Gerstlauer Infinity Coaster. It has a launch, tophat, inverted tophat, corkscrew, tight helix and bunny hop.
The launch mechanism is the most unique part of this coaster. I developed a novel system, heavily based on the ball launcher I created some time ago (https://youtu.be/Xdk1yoYeILI), yet beefed up to increase launching speed. I found this system to be very reliable, giving trains a fairly consistent launching speed. Moreover, it uses no rubber bands or so (it is k'nex only!). This meant that, even after standing and being used for over 2 years, the launch still worked, giving trains the same speed as when I first build it, as no parts are wearing out.
Another unique part is the station: this coaster has a 3-train operation, and is build such that trains will never collide. A secondary chain underneath the station ensures train separation, and dispatches the first train if the third has cleared the course and is inside the station. This mechanism shares its motor with the launch system - the entire coaster thus utilizes one motor only.
