Author Topic: Gantry tower  (Read 10384 times)

Baldrocker

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Gantry tower
« on: December 15, 2010, 05:46:34 PM »
Hi all
Deep in the recesses of my brain I remember seeing on I believe HMEM
pictures of a toy (not really the right word) built by someone that
involved largish steel balls rolling down a slightly  inclined gantry at the top of
 a tower approx 80cm high into a elevator cage which when reaching the base
released the ball and returned to the top for another ball. It would keep
doing this as long as the supply of balls at the gantry lasted.
Would love to make one for my grandson just to show that things do not
HAVE to have batteries to make them work  :bugeye:
No matter how many searches I cannot find it any help muck appreciated.

Merry whatever your persuasion.
br

Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: Gantry tower
« Reply #1 on: December 15, 2010, 08:47:38 PM »
BR...

I have seen it. I know what you are talking about. I believe I know who made it. Gonna take a look.

Eric
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: Gantry tower
« Reply #2 on: December 15, 2010, 08:59:52 PM »
Think I found it. Take a look HERE





Eric
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We're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad.

Offline Bernd

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Re: Gantry tower
« Reply #3 on: December 16, 2010, 09:28:47 AM »
I was thinking of the same guy Eric. He does some fine work.

He has a sort of website. Many interseting things on it. LINKY HERE
Route of the Black Diamonds

Offline crabsign69

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Re: Gantry tower
« Reply #4 on: December 16, 2010, 01:20:17 PM »
hey eric can i prob a pic out of ya as to how that spits out the ball   i really like that thing want to build one

Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: Gantry tower
« Reply #5 on: December 16, 2010, 02:05:33 PM »
Unfortunately I don't have one as it isn't mine. You can try the link I posted or the one Bernd posted. I will look around and see if I can find one.
Science is fun.

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Baldrocker

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Re: Gantry tower
« Reply #6 on: December 16, 2010, 05:13:39 PM »
Hi All
Many many thanks for all your responses. I'm sure this machine will
bring wonder into a little boys eyes.

Thanks again
br


Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: Gantry tower
« Reply #7 on: December 16, 2010, 07:47:50 PM »
If you build one, do a build log? I am more than willing to help design any features. I have been wanting to build some sort of marble contraption for my little guy!

Eric
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Offline Bernd

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Re: Gantry tower
« Reply #8 on: December 17, 2010, 10:51:06 AM »
hey eric can i prob a pic out of ya as to how that spits out the ball   i really like that thing want to build one

There aren't anymore clear pics of that tower on his Blog site. The best I can guess is that the little blue box that the ball rides in has a hole in the center. When it gets to the bottom a dowel pokes up through the bottom and pushes the ball out of the hole. If you look real close at the video you'll see a dowel or something the sticks up out of the bottom. It has a sort of beige color to it.

Bernd
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Offline Divided he ad

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Re: Gantry tower
« Reply #9 on: December 17, 2010, 03:59:48 PM »
That there be one of Birk Petersen's marvels....  A link to his youtube stuff...

p/u


Kactiguy is a friend of his who posts videos of some of his stuff  :thumbup:


You never know, a nice message to Birk might provide some help? Some people like us guys like to help others  :nrocks:





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Offline rleete

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Re: Gantry tower
« Reply #10 on: December 17, 2010, 05:53:23 PM »
A master craftsman with a sense of whimsy.  I am impressed.
Creating scrap, one part at a time

Offline crabsign69

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Re: Gantry tower
« Reply #11 on: December 17, 2010, 06:14:10 PM »
i assume there is a flat plate such as a flapper type then a dowel simply pushes the plate up to dump the ball i assume.
i tried to slow it down enough to see

Offline Bernd

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Re: Gantry tower
« Reply #12 on: December 18, 2010, 10:39:00 AM »
I would guess he has a hole in the bottom of the box that carries the ball bearing. The momenntum of the ball going down seems to be enough to keep the box going that extra bit to make the ball pop out of the box. I would also think you'd need a hole or depession to keep the ball in the box on it's downward journey.

I wonder if there is a slight taper on the floor of that box to help the ball roll out?

Bernd
Route of the Black Diamonds