Pinball example
Requirements
STEAM
I made a S tier light that controls cars and when they move. Used all across the world, my light saves countless lives.
go around and around
A pinball launcher is a device in pinball machines that shoots the ball onto the playing field. It's controlled by players using a plunger.
The launcher has parts like a plunger, a spring, a release mechanism, a launcher arm, and a soft surface. When a game starts, players pull the plunger to store energy in the spring. Releasing the plunger makes the spring push the launcher arm forward.
The launcher arm hits the ball, giving it energy to go onto the playing field. Players need to time this well. They aim to launch the ball with the right force and at the right moment to score points by hitting targets on the field.
In simple terms, the pinball launcher is what sends the ball into play. Players use the plunger to make it happen, and the better their timing, the more they can score.
This is the button that starts the game. When you press down it releases a ball into the launcher allowing you to start the game.
A pinball target, a fundamental element in pinball machines, serves as a crucial point of interaction between the player and the game. Typically, a pinball target is a designated area on the playfield with various shapes and mechanisms, such as drop targets, stand-up targets, or spinners. These targets vary in design and function, but they all require precise ball control and accuracy to hit.
Drop targets are objects that, when hit, drop down and award points or trigger special game features. Stand-up targets, on the other hand, remain upright and usually accumulate points with each hit. Spinners are rotating discs that propel the ball in different directions when struck.
Pinball targets enhance gameplay by providing challenges and objectives, encouraging players to aim carefully, strategize shots, and maximize their scores. These dynamic features contribute to the excitement and complexity of pinball, making it a timeless and engaging arcade experience.
A pinball bumper is a critical component of a pinball machine, designed to add excitement and challenge to gameplay. Typically, it consists of a cylindrical or dome-shaped plastic or metal structure with a rubber ring or cushion around its perimeter. When a pinball collides with the bumper, the cushion absorbs the impact and redirects the ball's trajectory unpredictably. This randomness creates an element of unpredictability and skill, as players must time their shots and aim precisely to maximize points. Bumpers are often strategically placed throughout the playfield, contributing to the dynamic and fast-paced nature of pinball, making it a beloved classic arcade game.
Made this thing for warmup!
How has this project compared to other projects that you have undertaken (in life/in school).
2) How did it feel to complete this project.
3) What are you most proud of about your project?
This was the most difficult project I've ever done. It challenged my adversity and it was hard to even walk into the engineering room sometimes.
It felt amazing, like a weight was lifted off my back. My mood changed outside of school and I felt happier.
I'm most proud of how imperfect it is, we put so much work into this project and it shows hard this project was and we did it!
It took about 8 months of prototyping to finish the pinball. First we worked on the LCD, I used the laser cutter to print out an outline for the LCD. We had to code it and screw it in. After that, targets. it was hard to make the mounts for the targets. I used onshape to make fingerjoints to keep it in place. Next I made a bumper. This was the first time I used a solenoid. They were complicated and it took awhile to figure them out. Once I got my solenoid working, I made the pole mount, which held the poles that are used to mount the 3d printed bumper head. After I put it all together I had my bumper working. Then I made a servo. The servo was mounted into the ground. I made a 3d pickle rick that would spin around. (it got stolen :( ). The hardest part was to put it all together and make the combined code, to make the combined code I need to make every part work individually, and then put each piece of code together on one document. There was a lot of troubleshooting throughout the whole project, from wiring, to components breaking, to code errors, this project took awhile to complete. But after a long time we got it all working together.
This servo rotates 360 degrees continuously. Our pickle rick got stolen which, when working would spin the pickle.
From the bottom you can see the mount, which uses the sevros built in screw holes.
When the button is pressed it flips the flipper!
The solenoid is drilled in and the flippers are attached to a pole. When the buttons are pushed, the solenoid goes off flipping the flipper.
The LED goes off whenever the target is hit.
The LED is taped into the board
The targets have switches that when triggered can be coded to add score to the LCD scoreboard.
We had to lasercut an outline for our LCD. After that all we needed to do was wire it.
I created a mount that could hold the switch and the target. It was screwed in.
There is copper tape on the floor and on the bumper. When the ball hit both it triggers a solenoid that spits the button out.
The mount is a weird L'ish shape. It is screwed into the ground as well as the solenoids built in screw holes.
We printed out a poster made from Canva. When we finished our prototype we glued in on to our new board.
This didn't work at the time of recording. It was drilled in, and it rotated 180 degrees in each way. On the gameboard (shown left) it would make the stick appear from the ground.
BOTTOM GAMEBOARD
This is our wiring. It is very messy and ugly but it gets the job done.