Launcher

The launcher propels the ball consistently all the way to the top of the game field (and beyond if needed) when pulled back and released by the player. It transfers stored potential energy from a compressed spring into kinetic energy to launch the ball with precision and force. The launcher stays aligned during operation, ensuring accurate and repeatable performance.

Bumper 

The bumper is a pinball target designed to increase the player's score and trigger effects like LEDs when struck by the ball. It uses a lever mechanism that tilts back to engage a switch, which must activate reliably at least 80% of the time, even during hard hits. The switch is securely mounted using screw holes and housed in a compact structure, with wiring done according to best practices. The bumper must be durable, using finger joints for strong connections, and the housing should be easily attachable to the playfield with preplanned holes. Whether top- or bottom-mounted, the design should be space-efficient (no wider than 1.5 inches for the paddle) and fit the game's theme while maintaining structural integrity with added supports if using a three-sided design.

How was it made?

The bumpers were developed through a multi-step process that emphasized both mechanical function and digital fabrication. The first step involved designing and constructing a vertical solenoid mount. This orientation was critical, as it allowed the solenoid to operate along a vertical axis—pulling downward to actuate the bumper mechanism effectively. After securing the mount to the pinball board, the solenoid was installed and tested for alignment and responsiveness.

Following the solenoid setup, a cone-shaped component was digitally designed using Onshape and then fabricated with pre-drilled screw holes for easy assembly. The cone plays a vital role in the bumper’s functionality—it compresses or "squeezes" the ball upon contact, redirecting its movement across the board with force and accuracy. A circular disc piece was then designed to connect directly to the solenoid plunger. This disc was fastened securely to the cone using screws and nuts, forming the interactive "topper" of the bumper. When the solenoid is energized, the disc pulls the cone downward, simulating a striking motion.

To complete the build, additional disc layers were added above the cone to serve as a mounting platform for aesthetic bumper toppers. These decorative elements were created in Inkscape, then precisely laser cut and engraved before being adhered with wood glue, integrating the game’s visual theme.

Functionally, the bumpers act like pressure-sensitive buttons. Copper tape was applied both around the bumper’s base and on the cone itself to form a simple contact switch. When the pinball presses against both copper surfaces, the circuit closes, signaling the microcontroller to activate the solenoid and update the score. This system is programmed using conditional logic (if-else statements), allowing the bumper to respond only when the correct contact is made.

Overall, the bumper's purpose is to dynamically interact with the ball—striking it with enough force to alter its trajectory while also providing visual and tactile feedback that enhances gameplay.

Targets

The target mechanism in the pinball machine is designed to respond when hit by the ball, triggering a lever to tilt back and activate a switch, which can also set off effects like LEDs. It must work consistently every time the ball hits it with force. The switch is secured to a compact, minimal target body using screws, following proper wiring and construction techniques like finger joints. The target must be easy to mount on the game board with pre-cut screw holes, and if it has three sides, it needs added support to keep it stable. Visually, the target should match the game’s theme, stay under 1.5 inches wide, and be appropriately sized depending on whether it’s mounted on the top or bottom of the board.

How does it work?

Here are my targets, we individually designed and prototyped our targets before coming together to integrate the functioning parts into our board. The target's primary function is to add to the overall score when the ball makes contact. We had the option to choose between top-mounted and bottom-mounted targets, ultimately selecting the bottom-mounted design. The project constraints required that the target bodies be assembled using finger joints, so we utilized Onshape to develop our design accordingly.

The targets operate by housing a switch component. A paddle, positioned within the shell and extending through the board, triggers the switch upon impact with the ball. A single screw secures the paddle in place, preventing unintended movement. When the ball hits the target, the lever tilts backward, engaging the switch, which can also trigger additional reactions, such as LED lighting effects. The mechanism should activate at least 80% of the time when struck with sufficient force.

To refine our design, I first constructed a cardboard model to explore the mechanics of finger joints and understand how the lever would interact with the switch. This allowed me to experiment with movement and overall functionality before transitioning to a more durable material. With my wooden prototype, I gained several important insights. Initially, I created the holes using a screwdriver, but for my final version, I plan to pre-cut them using a laser cutter to ensure greater precision and consistency. Additionally, I noticed that the lever tends to rotate upon impact with the ball. To address this, I will increase the thickness of the lever to enhance its stability and ensure proper alignment. Another issue I encountered was that the paddles were too small, making it difficult to hit the ball effectively. In my final design, I will increase their size to improve accuracy and functionality.

FLIPPER

The flipper is a critical component of the pinball machine that, when activated by a button, rotates upward with enough force to propel the ball to the top of the playfield at least 9 out of 10 times. It must respond every time the button is pressed. Prototypes should be installed on a mock-up surface, while final versions are placed on the actual board only after receiving approval. Flippers are driven by square shafts (½" x ½") and must follow best practices for wiring and construction to ensure they do not lean. Visually, flippers should match each other when viewed from above, maintain a symmetrical resting position, and sit at an angle that allows the ball to roll when idle. They must meet specific dimensional requirements and maintain a gap of 1.5 to 2 inches when in the down position.

How was it made?

To construct the flipper mechanism, we implemented a drive shaft system that connects both the upper and lower sections of the pinball board, ensuring precise alignment between the flippers on each side. The flippers themselves were designed using layered laser-cut components for both durability and consistent motion.

A custom solenoid mount was engineered to hold the solenoid in a horizontal orientation, allowing it to deliver a linear force effectively. When activated, the solenoid drives the flipper upward, enabling the player to strike the ball. To return the flipper to its original position, we installed a tension spring that connects the flipper to the board, providing a reliable resetting force after each actuation.

The control system for the flippers is driven by user input. Each solenoid is programmed to respond to a designated push button on the control interface. When the button is pressed, the solenoid is triggered through embedded code, activating the flipper in real time. This design not only supports responsive gameplay but also reflects thoughtful integration of mechanical and electronic systems for a seamless user experience.

Slow Motion Videos

Servo Component

This component uses the rotational motion of a servo motor to interact with a ball, altering its direction. It is designed to activate at any time—either continuously, on a timer, or triggered at a specific point value via code. The servo is programmed to operate automatically, with the servo horn hidden from view and integrated into the overall design theme for visual consistency. For durability and secure mounting, finger joints should be used if laser cutting is applied. The servo mount is engineered to fit the servo properly, utilizing screw holes for secure attachment, and ensuring it remains stable even when impacted by the ball.

How was it made?

To install the mount, we digitally designed and fabricated it using Onshape, ensuring it was customized to fit securely within our pinball machine setup. The mount holds a rotating component that is coded to begin spinning in 360-degree rotations as soon as the pinball machine is powered on, adding an interactive and animated element to the game. To enhance the theme and overall aesthetics, we also 3D printed a unicorn and a Minion figure, which were then mounted on the rotating platform. These custom-printed characters contribute to the visual appeal and bring a fun, personalized touch to the game environment.

Scoreboard

The scoreboard begins with a welcome screen, then displays a score (starting at zero) and a ball count (starting at three). It updates in real time—incrementing the score when a scoring component is triggered and decrementing the ball count when a ball is lost. It is initially connected to two lever buttons: one for scoring and one for ball return.

Functionality is managed using if-else statements to process input pins, ensuring continuous screen updates without flashing or errors. Proper spelling is required for all displayed text.

Aesthetically, the scoreboard must be securely mounted with a properly sized and shaped panel that fits into the pinball machine. Mounting holes should be laser cut, and the design should fully align with the machine’s precut opening. The theme must be clearly incorporated

How it was made?

To create the scoreboard, my partner and I began by brainstorming various design options and ultimately decided on a press-fit structure for both ease of assembly and durability. We carefully measured the pre-cut opening on the pinball board to ensure a precise fit for the scoreboard housing. Once those dimensions were confirmed, we obtained the exact measurements of the Adafruit LED scoreboard module to properly size the internal cutout.

With all measurements finalized, we used a laser cutter to fabricate the scoreboard components from durable material. The design included structural support and precise cutouts for mounting the LED matrix securely. After assembly, we spray-painted the entire piece to match the game’s visual theme, incorporating vibrant colors and adding custom Minion graphics to the sides for a playful, thematic touch.

The scoreboard integrates seamlessly into the pinball machine, displaying real-time scoring data triggered by in-game events. The end result is a functional and visually cohesive scoreboard that enhances the gameplay experience while reflecting the creative identity of our project.

Led Lights

How was it made?

To install the LED lights in our pinball machine, we began by cutting the NeoPixel strip to the desired length, ensuring the lights were spaced appropriately across the board. Instead of using staples—which caused a short circuit during initial testing—we opted to securely fold and tape the LED strips to the game board to avoid any electrical interference. The NeoPixels are controlled through programmed if/else logic, where each component in the machine is assigned a specific color response. For example, when a particular element is triggered, the LEDs change to a corresponding color, providing immediate visual feedback. Upon startup, all LEDs default to a blue color, creating a cohesive and engaging look. Beyond functionality, the LED lighting significantly enhances the visual appeal of the pinball machine, making the game more dynamic, immersive, and enjoyable for users.

Pinball Project Presenting

Pinball Field Trip