It has long been on my mind to create a LEGO Great Ball Contraption (GBC) module. After attending the Skærbæk Fan Weekend event last fall in Denmark, and meeting GBC master Akiyuki, I decided it was finally time to sit down and really give it a go.
Since this was my first GBC module, I didn’t want to do anything incredibly complicated, so the mechanism for it is fairly simple. I also wanted to focus on the design aesthetics of the model.
The module features four robots, each with a unique design and personality, set in an industrial looking backdrop, passing the balls down the line. Is this their dream job? Or are they dreaming of doing something more fulfilling? I’ll leave it up to the viewer to decide.
I’ll be posting an explanation video in the future, where I go over some of the design decisions and how everything works in more detail, but for now you can enjoy watching the model in action in the video above.
Edit April 10, 2020: You can now find the design breakdown video here.
This is an impressive design. Thank you so muck for sharing all the extra info. I would not call the build much complicated, but, oh, the final synchronization took some time indeed… I hope though that the robots will hold well on the event next month; at the moment they seem to perform well for minutes, but longer periods may be a challenge.
Also, for all the other builders – check not only the synchronized movent part of final assembly, but the overall speed of the motor. There is a certain “Goldilocks Zone” when everything performs just perfectly.
I love this design. So much so that I managed to discover there were plans to build it available for free on the Planet GBC website. Not sure if you were aware of this but I hope this was with your permission. Anyways, I used that parts list to acquire parts (I own a Bricklink store with over 400k items, so that helps), and I’ve built it, but I’m having a lot of trouble with it. The robots are dropping balls consistently. I’ve tried studying both your videos and tweaked a few things, but I’m lucky if the robots get 3 balls to the end output out of every 10. If you have any ideas to troubleshoot this I’d love to hear them.
If you ever did release official instructions for this design, I would happily purchase them to support your work! Thanks for your amazing creations!
I’m aware of the instructions, but haven’t taken too close a look at them. One of the reasons I haven’t released instructions myself is that performance does seem to be highly variable, and sensitive to how it is assembled. My biggest suggestions are to make sure everything moves freely (especially the grippers, if they are pushed on too tightly they won’t open and close smoothly) and ensure the timing of everything is accurate (the balls must be pushed up into the grippers). I often also apply teflon lubrications to complex models like this to help them run smoothly over long periods.
I’ve played around with the timing quite a bit, seems like that does help some. It seems like the balls don’t get pushed up into the grippers, they just barely hold the balls, so loosening them might help. Also, I’ve noticed that part 62520c01, Technic, Universal Joint 3L, which goes on the back of the robot, has a somewhat loose connection on the axles. Part 9244c01, Technic, Universal Joint 4L, is too long, but what I tried was separating the parts, so that I can have a 3L on one side and a 4L on the other. That seems just the right length, but I didn’t have enough of the 4L so ordering more on Bricklink. It did seem to improve the performance of the two robots I changed out the part on so far.
Note that some BL sellers don’t seem to know there’s a difference between the 2 parts, I tried ordering them twice so far and turned out they had the 4L listed wrong in their inventory. So it’s something good to ask if they really have before ordering, or in the order comments.
Impresionante. Estaría dispuesto a pagar por las instrucciones. Me encanta.
Amazing design! Happy to see you dipping your talented toe in the deep waters of GBC! Very inspiring!
This GBC looks great! Especially when you are using it to explain lean metrics and the creation of flow. Please keep me informed if you put up the instructions!
I am hoping that you publish instructions. I would also love instruction for the ball return and conveyor. If you wish to charge for your work, I’d be very happy to pay, or make a contribution. I think this is awesome. I built the Orrery a few years ago and I love it.
I Love the contrast of the organic forms / flows of the framework on one side and the robots on the other.
Like always you not only try to combine design and functionality, you reach the target.
Welcome in the GBC world.
Sagenhaft dieses GBC! Möchte ich gerne nachbauen; eine Bauanleitung hierfür wäre ausgezeichnet.)
I love your works and copied some myself. I’m still slowly learning to create my own stuff. I really hope you either Idea it or put up the instructions to help me make one. Keep on Bricking
Love the robots, they look so cool!
Love it ! Gorgeous !
The nicest GBC module ive ever seen!