Engineering Applications

Pinball Project

Pinball Project.pdf

Project Brief

The project brief outlines the overall objective, requirements, and schedule for the pinball machine build. It explains the concepts we must understand, the abilities we are expected to develop, and the deadlines for each stage of the project.

Engineering Design Notebook

The Engineering Design Notebook serves as a daily record of our work. It documents the progress made during each class, describes the steps taken toward building the pinball machine, and notes the constraints related to each part of the project.

Jai Bazawule Engineering Application Notebook Template

Launcher

IMG_3718.MOV

Working Video

Progress Pictures

Constraints

The constraints for the launcher helped us verify that we were meeting all the criteria needed for a working launcher. It included expectations for function, appearance, and installation. Our performance was assessed on how effectively we addressed each of these categories.

Scoreboard

IMG_8062.MOV

Working Video

Progress Pictures

Constraints

The constraints sheet for the scoreboard ensured we completed every requirement necessary for a functional display. It addressed functionality, durability, aesthetics, and installation. Our grade reflected how well we satisfied these areas.

Onshape & Design Planning

Constraints

The game layout constraints sheet helped ensure that the full layout of the pinball board met all essential standards. It included guidelines for performance, durability, visual design, and installation. We were evaluated on how thoroughly we met each expectation.

Lighting Plan

The lighting plan organized the purpose of each light on the machine. Some lights were designed to fade in, while others illuminated when specific targets were hit.

Scoring Plan

The scoring plan was created to establish a balanced and enjoyable gameplay experience. It defined how many points each bumper, target, or feature would award.

Hand-Drawn Layout

Our hand-drawn layout served as the first draft of our overall design. It was made to scale and included ball guides, bumpers, flippers, targets, lights, and any special mechanical elements we planned to incorporate.

Onshape Layout

The Onshape layout became our finalized design. Using precise measurements, we modeled the board digitally to ensure all holes and cutouts were accurately placed. This template was then used with the CNC machine to cut the board.

Pinball Museum Research

As the first step in creating our pinball machine, we needed to see how real machines are designed and function. To gather inspiration, we visited a pinball museum featuring machines from various eras and themes. Being able to play them gave me a better idea of what features make a pinball game both fun and unique. Out of all the ones I tried, my favorite was the Avengers-themed machine. It had hidden cutscenes, cool animations, and secret challenges that only triggered if you hit the right combinations.

Railings: This machine had a rail that curved around the board instead of going straight. I liked how it redirected the ball in a more interesting path and made gameplay less predictable.

Scoreboard: Most machines had a digital or mechanical display that showed your score, the number of balls left, and sometimes even your player name.

Layouts & Lights: The Frontier pinball machine had a really clear playfield design, and the way the lights lit up during play added excitement and energy.

Artwork and Backgrounds:

I paid attention to the backgrounds, and one design I especially liked was very colorful and bold. The art makes a big difference in setting the theme and mood of the machine.

Targets: I noticed a set of three white drop targets that sank back into the playfield once they were hit. They also rewarded players with bonus points, which adds to the challenge.

Flippers:

The Avengers machine had white and red flippers that stood out visually. Flippers are such a basic part of pinball, but even small design choices like color can make them pop.

Launcher & Ball Counter: The launcher mechanism also tracks the number of balls you have left. I liked that this one was covered, which made it feel sleek.

Bumpers:

On the Avengers table, the bumpers were placed just under the railings, each decorated with graphics that tied into the theme.

Side Bumpers: One feature that caught my eye was a side bumper located near the flippers. It acted almost like a safety net to help keep the ball in play longer.

Rules Board: On the Metallica pinball machine, the rules board explained the game’s objectives in a way that matched the theme and atmosphere.

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Lights & Effects (Video): Watching the lighting system in action showed me how important it is for creating an exciting atmosphere. The lights draw players in and keep the game feeling alive.

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Spinning/Servo Parts (Video): Some machines had rotating or moving components. These gave the game extra motion and made it feel more dynamic, while also connecting to the theme.

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