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.
The gearbox is fairly simple, with the medium motor clutched and geared down so it can move the large conveyor without any issues. The conveyor is tensioned like my other Technic built conveyors using a pair of light-grey spring shocks.
In summary, I'm really happy to have been able to use up the following quantity of parts that were sitting lifeless in my workshop:
Blue Zamor Spheres (Thanks VLC Diana)
Blue Duplo Slides that were once used in my 8 foot long slide video VIDEO HERE
Lots of LUGBulked Black 1x16 Technic Bricks and Black 7x11 Technic Frames
This module is sure to have great table presence if I can ever get it to a live GBC event. (Hopefully sometime in 2022).
Thank you for visiting, and feel free to join the community Discord server located here https://discord.gg/YPwm9w7
Welcome to the 4th annual Great Ball Pit - Lego GBC Build Challenge
Before we get into the details, let's take a look back at the previous 3 winners and their modules.
(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.
A few weeks ago I finished my entry to the 2020 Great Ball Pit Challenge, but did not have time to make a video for it. The video has now been released and you can watch it below.
The module uses a serpentine lift which was originally built by Brian Alano. I used Lawrie's revised instructions, and then made further changes. I increased the height, and used several 36T bevel gears to chain all the lifters together.
This was my first time building a serpentine mechanism, and my first time building a weighted tipper. My original idea for a "13 batch" module was to use a PUP HUB and sensor to determine when to unload balls, but I wanted something even simpler. By reusing my trapdoor switch (tutorial available), it allowed me to use the simplest way to batch balls, a weighted tipper. Getting the balance right was fairly simple, but the mechanism is a bit harsh at times, and a ball or two may escape while a tipper is being reset.
We had 18 people build modules for this years challenge, and I'm expecting even more next year! Join the GBC Community chat here! http://www.discord.gg/YPwm9w7
