The challenge this year was to build a module that raised a ball to a height of 24 inches (64 bricks). The GBC standard rules for input and output were to be followed as well.
17 modules were entered, and 10 previous challenge builders returned to vote!
The winner with the most points was ...
fhariede with his stacked shooter module!
This module did a few things that I really enjoyed. It used the crown piece (part: 39262) for each shooter, and the output chute was super clean and visually appealing. Great job fhareiede!
This years runner up was ...
Pinwheel with his "shoo the dragon" shooter module. This large module tells quite a few stories as a few brave souls attempt to get rid of a dragon who has taken an interest in their castle!
This module uses a pair of shooters (catapults) to get the ball up an over this large custom built castle. The theming is great and there are several small stories being told as you can see in the video.
In conclusion I would like to thank everyone who participated in this years challenge, I find it interesting that the two winning modules were shooters when there was so many other great lift mechanisms being used. BvB's impressive coaster track module, and Rohan's giant 2+ meter tower deserve a special mention!
If you would like to join the Discord community chat you can click here: https://discord.gg/YPwm9w7
Here are the 17 entries in this years challenge "Great Heights" (in Alphabetical Order)
Votes will be accepted until Friday November 26th at 12:00pm. The winners will be announced shortly thereafter.
This is Laminar Flow, my latest Lego GBC module that I built for the 2021 Great Ball Pit Challenge. The main constraint of this years challenge was to lift a ball to a height of 24 inches (64 Bricks). I achieved the height with a twinned conveyor powered by a Lego PF-M motor.
This module features a Zamor Sphere (Part: 54821) filter that recirculates the Zamor's inside the module, while Lego GBC Balls are allowed to exit. Well... this is what's supposed to happen. Sometimes the Lego GBC balls are also re-circulated, which is something I will need to improve in the future.
The filter is simply 2 beams spaced apart at a distance that allows for the GBC balls to fall through. The new beams with pinholes on all sides (Part:71710) seem to work well for this application.
(2018) "16x16" Winner: Serendibite
(2019) "Wheels Up" Winner: Ryk Field
(2020) "Bakers Dozen" Winner: Sam Friesen
2021 Challenge
This years theme is "Great Heights" where the challenge is to build a module which will lift a ball up to a height of at least 64 bricks ( 24 inches / 61 centimetres ). This will be referred to as "The Minimum Height" in the guidelines below.
Module Guidelines
The module can have any size footprint, and use any lift mechanism.
Multiple lift mechanisms can be combined and chained together to reach the minimum height.
The minimum height is not the maximum height, there is no maximum height.
Once the ball(s) has/have reached the minimum height, anything is allowed to happen to them. I would recommend removing some of the energy from the balls before they exit the module.
The module must meet the GBC standards for input bin height (10 bricks high), and capacity (30 balls minimum in the input area). Output speed needs to be "reasonable" which should be a maximum of 1 ball per second.
The module must be powered by official Lego components such as: EV3/Mindstorms, Power Functions, Powered Up, Boost, or Control+.
The module should be something that has generally not been seen before. Existing mechanisms are *OK* but try and be original.
If you have any questions about the module guidelines please PM me on Discord.
Challenge Details*
- Submissions will only be accepted in the Discord "challenge-2021" channel. Click HERE to join the Discord.
- Submission Deadline is 11:59PM (PST) November 21st, 2020
- Submission must include a video of the module operating. YouTube or posting a video file directly to the challenge-2021 channel is preferred.
- Builder must live in North America, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, or Europe (for prize shipping reasons)
- By entering this challenge, you (the builder) are allowing me to post videos and additional content showing your module with full credit to the builder.
VOTING
Each entrant will vote on their 1st and 2nd favourite module. 1st choice receives 2 points, 2nd choice receives 1 point. The winners will be selected based on which modules receive the most total points. You are not allowed to vote for your own module. I will be allowed to cast a vote in this challenge, regardless of an entry.
**New for this years challenge** : Previous Challenge builders (2018-2020) will be allowed to vote regardless of an entry this year.
Prize Pool
First Place Prize
- Choose *one* of the following items:
75317 - The Mandalorian & the Child (new/sealed)
43177 - Belle's Storybook Adventure (new/sealed)
75546 - minions in gru's lab (new/sealed)
30 Official Lego GBC balls (new from Lego replacement parts)
- The prestigious “Challenge Winner” Role on the Discord server.
Runner-Up Prize
- Choose *one* of the remaining prizes, after the first place winner has selected.
All entrants will receive the new "Challenge 2021" role on the discord server.
* I reserve the right to modify, or append additional rules to the challenge at anytime.
Dump, Scoop, Run, or Shoot? Who’s "Bakers Dozen" will be the most entertaining to watch exit the module?
Module Guidelines
The module can be any size, and use any lift mechanism.
The module should *only* output 13 balls at a time to the next module. If the input bin is empty and the module is running, it should wait until it has 13 balls to release them as a batch.
The batch must leave your module in less than 3 seconds: first ball leaving, to last ball leaving. This will allow for creative output scenarios, example: a marble run with 13 balls going down at the same time, the balls would hopefully all exit the run within 3 seconds of each other.
The module must meet the GBC standards for input bin height (10 bricks high), and capacity (30 balls minimum). Output speed needs to be "reasonable" which should be around 13 batch every 13 seconds. (Assuming the module is receiving 1BPS)
The module must be powered by official Lego components such as: EV3/Mindstorms, Power Functions, Powered Up, Boost, or Control+.
The module should be something that has generally not been seen before. Existing mechanisms are *OK* but try and be original.
Challenge Details*
- Submissions will only be accepted in the Discord "challenge-2020" channel. Click HERE to join the Discord.
- Submission Deadline is 11:59PM (PST) November 7th, 2020
- Submission must include a video of the module operating. YouTube or posting a video file directly to the challenge-2020 channel is preferred.
- Must live in North America, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, or Europe (for prize shipping reasons)
- By entering this challenge, you (the builder) are allowing me to post videos and additional content showing your module with full credit to the builder.
VOTING
Each entrant will vote on their 1st and 2nd favourite module. 1st choice receives 2 points, 2nd choice receives 1 point. The winners will be selected based on which modules receive the most total points. You are not allowed to vote for your own module. I will be allowed to cast a vote in this challenge, regardless of an entry.
Prize Pool
First Place Prize
- Choose *one* of the following (new sealed) sets:
21140 - Minecraft The Chicken Coop
70821 - LM2: Emmet and Benny’s ‘Build and Fix’ Workshop!
70427 - Hidden Side: Welcome to the Hidden Side
41250 - Trolls World Tour: Techno Reef Dance Party
- Choose *one* bonus prize:
Brickloot.com: 100 Pack Multi-color GBC Soccer Balls
5 x 40 tooth gears & 5 x 28 tooth gears (these are all new and unused)
- A Great Ball Pit exclusive “Eat, Sleep, GBC” 1x8 Engraved Brick
- The prestigious “Challenge Winner” Role on the Discord server.
Runner-Up Prize
- Choose *one* of the sets left in the prize pool, after the first place winner has selected.
- You will receive the left-over bonus prize.
All entrants will receive the new "Challenge 2020" role on the discord server.
* I reserve the right to modify or append additional rules to challenge at anytime.
Welcome to the Lego GBC Observer, where I feature interesting Lego Great Ball Contraption videos from YouTube.
This week we have 3 great modules from members of the Lego GBC community Discord server which can be joined by clicking this link: http://discord.gg/YPwm9w7
First up is a nice clean take on an Achemedes screw by RJ. As usual with RJ's builds this one is very clean in design and the spinning logo at the top really is the cherry on top!
Next up is a "brick built" conveyor from Sawyer. This one uses the often overlooked engine block piece as the main component to the lift.
And finally NDL shares his SawBlade wheel lift which was built using the "shark fin" technic connector.
Have a great week everyone!
Welcome to the GBC Observer, where we take a look at interesting Lego Great Ball Contraption modules via YouTube.
First up RJ has modified his square spiral into a gbc standard compliant module. Wonderful looking module and slightly hypnotic 🥴
And here's an update from Sam F, who has updated his pinwheel module to be a GBC standard compliant. This module is also using his shared power which is a great feature, nice work!
And finally an aptly named Small Ball Contraption that features 4 lifts and a ball counter! This appears to be created with parts from the Spike Prime education set.
Have a great week everyone!
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