14 replies to this topic

[~stεεlspectrum~]

Lazor22 has requested that we design a launch that can be used on his shuttle launched coaster. It needs to launch the train fast enough to go up about 5 feet, then have the train go along the launch track backwards to get back to the station. So basically, we can just suggest some ideas on how to make this work.

[big builder145]

I think that we might be able to pull this off the problem is the only way that we have of having the car getting over the chain is by the magnet chain dog that is int that reliable (i know from experience...)

[~stεεlspectrum~]

I have a solution! Just put a little roll of tape under the chain dog. It hangs down when it launches. When it gets to the spike, the chain that lifts the train up is already moving, and the chain dog catches it. Then the chain suddenly stops, or can even go backwards if necessary, while the train keeps moving up (for a split-second). The chain dog is flipped up, and the tape sticks it to the underside of the car until it gets back to the station, and you flip it back down. I might make a small coaster to demonstrate.

[RightWayTrey]

^ One problem I see is that when the train is vertical the chain dog won't be sticking out from the car.

Instead of the chain stopping, you can just hook up a drill or a really fast motor which can launch the train past the chain and then have the chain dog hit a stationary chain or connector.

Also we can probably figure out something that will hold the chain dog better than tape, I don't think tape would be able to hold onto the chain dog.
*leaves to try something out*

I've got it, I snapped some connectors onto the bottom of the front car and it works great. Pics tomorrow.

[RightWayTrey]

I had a better idea to hold the chain dog up. The magnet idea in reverse! It works great. I taped part of a paper clip to the chain dog and taped a couple Geomags (which are magnets) to the bottom of the car.
Pics:




I also added some double stick tape to the chain dog and to the front of the car so that the chain dog remains sticking out when the train is vertical, but when the chain dog hits a stationary connector or chain, it unsticks from the tape and the magnet holds the chain dog up.

[~stεεlspectrum~]

I'm having a problem with keeping the chain dog staying down after the launch. At the very end of the launch, I think the chain starts to stop while the train is still moving, which pushes the chain dog up. I'm experimenting with the launch right now.

[RightWayTrey]

^ Try shortening the launch run.

I had been thinking this might be a problem, keeping the chain dog hanging down, so I am experiementing with using magnets to keep it sticking out from the car.

[~stεεlspectrum~]

I think I need a way to pull the train up the spike without touching the chain dog...any suggestions? I was thinking of maybe putting a connector on the chain that would hook on to the zero car.

[RightWayTrey]

^ The connector on the chain idea won't work, I've thought about it a lot and there is just no way to get the connector in the right spot at exact precise time. Even if you could figure out way I don't think it would be very consistent at all.

Just try speeding up the chain so the cars get an inch or so above the chain the moving chain, it's worth it.

[~stεεlspectrum~]

If you connect one of those tiny blue clips to the chain, the car will slide over it if it has enough speed, and hook onto it. I think if I just put one of those every 3 or so chain links, I'm guaranteed to have the car hook onto one of them.
Now all I need to do is make an automatic switch for the Knex motor, and I'll be done.

Oh and I'll just put a straight section of chain right after the launch to push the chain dog up. I can use tape instead of magnets too

[RightWayTrey]

^ But how is the train gonna get past the blue connectors on the way down?

[~stεεlspectrum~]

^ Good point...

I could make it only have one connector, and reset the chain every time...

I really have no idea how to make this work.

[~stεεlspectrum~]

I think I'm going to turn this into a Schwarzkopf Shuttle Loop (which has no lift on its spike) because I just can't get it to work.

RWT, I'm sure you'll find some way to make it work. Good luck.

-S33S

[RightWayTrey]

That's too bad. At least it wasn't a complete failure, you figured out how to have the car go backward over the launch chain.

Your idea of having the chain dog stick up in the car is what made me want to make a shuttle coaster. It will probably work for the spike on a larger shuttle coaster.

[~stεεlspectrum~]

^ Thanks. And mine is still a shuttle coaster, it just doesn't have a lift on the spike. It doesn't matter if you fail or succeed, as long as we have all learned a valuable lesson from this. [creepy little kid psychology]