40 replies to this topic

[Maxlaam]

Gee guys, get some sketchup, I don't fancy modeling every idea

BRB Modeling!

My interpretation of what we've got now:

Bottom:


Top:


Overview:


Problem is is that there needs to be at least a 5mm gap between the 2 tracks.

[RightWayTrey]

I'm building a very small lift to try figure this rotating track thing. I snapped the pivot rod into the bottom of the x-ties and supported it only from the sides. This solves the problem of having a gap in between the tracks.

Pics:








The problem is though, the car ends up being pretty far above the pivot point, which means you have to put a ton weight underneath the track to keep it upright. And since I could only support with two rods on each side, it sags a lot. I also don't think a red motor could turn the wheel with so much weight on it.



Then it hit me. I figured out a way to put the rod through the middle of the x-ties, be able to support it fairly well, and have no gap in between the tracks! And it's so simple!

But you guys are gonna have think of it yourselves, or wait till I build it and show you.

[RightWayTrey]

The solution: Support the rod the track pivots on from the bottom. duh. *smacks forehead*
Then the upstop wheels don't hit anything and you can still put the rod through the middle of the x-ties.
For some reason I didn't think about the fact that the train enters on one side and exits on the other. That's what I was missing.

Pics:













I also have figured out a simple way to make it automatic. Just make an auto switch that only does a half revolution. It would power the wheel/lift, and if you gear it down a lot, it may or may not be precise enought to line up the track just right. If not, another motor would somehow make the tracks line up just right. That wouldn't be too hard.

[~stεεlspectrum~]

OHMIGOSH! Awesome idea, I never would have thought of having it work like that. I was assuming that it would have to enter/exit on both sides at the top and bottom. As for the lining up, I have a possible idea but it's too hard to explain.

[JPCoaster]

This my idea for a boomerang lift.

[JPCoaster]

Up and down tire drive for boomerang coaster.

[Jogumpie]

Oh oh oh! I have an idea! Replace the wheels by a chain, and use it on a longer part of the track. You'd only need to support the flexi's in another way then with crossties... think about it and try building this suggestion.

[~stεεlspectrum~]

But how would the chain go beneath the track? The crossties would be in the way.

[RightWayTrey]

JP: It's a very good idea, if somehow you can get the tires to push the train up without being helped.
Did you put anything underneath the cars for the tires to push on?


Gump: I think I see what you're saying, but I don't think there is anyway to support the tubing without getting in the way of the chain or the upstop wheels. Although if the lift were vertical, it might work without any support on the tubing.

[JPCoaster]

Gump, nice idea! I'll put some thin metal bars in the tubes to replate the X-ties. The track will be sturdy.

[RightWayTrey]

Yes! That will work! I'm really looking forward to this, JP.

[JPCoaster]

Update!



Comment!!

[RightWayTrey]

It looks good, but I think the chain would need to be longer for the train to make the layout of a boomerang coaster.

Are gonna try to make this completely automated?

[JPCoaster]

Pirate ship gears system! Tell me what you think.





COMMENT!!

[DDRman732865]

Cool, but it seems a little uncoordinated in that at one point it forced it to go completely the other way when it was full force in one direction.

[RightWayTrey]

Wow, that's awsome! That was a great idea!

DDR is right, but I think I have a solution. The longer it runs, the higher the chance what DDR said will happen. To fix the problem, you could make an automatic switch from the SS motor you're using. Then it would shut off before it had a chance to screw up like it did in the video.

Of course, the automatic switch would need to do an exact number of revolutions, so that the gears always ended up unengaged. With the regular k'nex gears you would only be able to do one revolution exactly with the auto switch. But recently I came up with a custom gear that gives a 2:1 ratio, which would allow the auto switch to do exactly two revolutions.

[RightWayTrey]

Hey guys, generoo is looking for an idea on how to get a swinging pirate ship to work, do you guys have any... Oh wait...

Haha, I forgot about your pirate ship, JP. Do you mind if I show him your videos?

Anybody else have other ideas for a swinging pirate ship? Can't have too many.

[~stεεlspectrum~]

I'm wondering if there might be a way to have the swinging of the ship trigger the gear to switch, so there wouldn't be any issues with the timing.

[JPCoaster]

RWT, yes, no problem.

[Jumpge]

Well, here's my Steelway qualification invention: an auto launch. Heres a pic and a test vid of it.


Test Vid

Tell me what you think!