BrickFest 2005

@ BrickFest 2005

As previously announced we will be assembling a Great Ball Contraption at this year's BrickFest. And at the same time we will be attempting to set a new world record for the Largest Rube Goldberg machine with our Great Ball Contraption.

You don't have to be a master robot builder to participate. In fact this picture shows a module that uses just a couple Technic pieces.

There will be several awards available to module builders including the crowd favorite and the best use of a theme like in this soccer module or this 70s style module. Some of the modules already set to attend include a soccer ball rollercoaster 'Gus' the forklift a construction backhoe trains that can stop at multiple stations and a conveyor belt powered by a motor. Ok the last one is not as exciting as the others but when they're all assembled it's really something to see.

During the weekend we'll be running parts of the GBC and at scheduled show times the whole ball contraption will be moving balls around the room. Sometime on Saturday we'll configure the contraption to act as a "one-shot" Rube Goldberg machine and attempt to set a Guiness World Record for the Largest Rube Goldberg machine.

While we don't need to know exact sizes yet we do need to find out how many people are interested in building modules for our world record-setting Great Ball Contraption. So if you want to participate please send me your name and planned module size. Keep in mind many of the "normal" modules are built on a 32x32 baseplate and you are free to build and contribute as many modules as you wish.

This is your chance to be part of the madness that transpires when AFoLs from all over contribute their modules to one of the biggest works of moving LEGO artwork ever assembled and help us try to set a Guiness World Record...

So start building your Great Ball Contraption modules now...

Things we need to know about each module:

Module name & builder
Size: width & depth (preferably in studs) & height. The width should only include the module. If any parts hang over the following module's Input that should not be counted.
Output type (continuous or batch output)
Preferred input: Continuous? Batch? No preference?
Peak throughput: in balls per second or “bps” (aim for at least 1 bps)
Power source: Battery box? RCX? Pneumatic? Other? Do you need access to a powerstrip?
Description: feel free to include what the module does as well as any special abilities or features or anything else you want to draw attention towards.
Total testing time (Minutes Hours Days Weeks...)?
Steps - This is a rather hard-to-define sequence we will need for each module in order to attempt the world record. A "step" should loosly be defined as the ball[s] changing it's path such as (A) riding the lift and (B) rolling downhill

Modules attending Brickfest

# Module & Builder Name Size (WxD) Pref. Input Output Throughput Power Source Description Testing Time

1 The Original Unloader - Steve Hassenplug 32x32 No Pref Batch > 1 bps RCX It's a train Months

2 Lost in the Jungle - Bunnie Cleland 48x32 No Pref Cont = 1 bps 9V Hours

3 Drip - Steve Hassenplug 10x10 Cont Cont > 1 bps 9V This tiny 10x10 module pumps balls out one at a time Minutes

4 Cascade - Brian Davis 48x48 No Pref Cont > 1 bps 9V Allows bystanders to byuild there own bit of the GBC Months

5 Bifrost 2 - Brian Davis 32x32 No Pref Cont > 1 bps RCX A rainbow bridge to the GBC train Hours

6 Mass Volume - Steve Hassenplug 32x32 No Pref Batch > 1 bps RCX Train unloading module Hours

7 Perpetual Motion VI - Andrew Dykstal 64x25 Batch Same as Input > 4bps 9V This GBC rapidly propels waves of four balls up a set of walls. I have yet to determine the real max throughput. Months

8 Mass Loader - Steve Hassenplug 32x32 No Pref Batch 2.5 bps RCX Mass volume train loader Hours

9 Bifrost 1 - Brian Davis 32x32 No Pref Cont RCX Loads standard GBC hopper cars Minutes

10 Olympic Slalom - Bryan Bonahoom 128x32 No Pref Cont > 1 bps 9V Weeks

11 Scoop - Bryan Bonahoom 32x32 No Pref Same as Input 2.5 bps 9V Weeks

12 Drooling Duck - Bryan Bonahoom 32x32 Cont Cont > 1 bps 9V If it looks like a duck, moves like a duck, and drools, it must be a drooling duck. Weeks

13 Counter Intelligence - Greg Dykstal 64x36 No Pref Batch > 1 bps RCX It counts a preset number of balls into a bucket and then dumps them Days

14 'Gus' the Forklift - Brian Davis 4 ftx2 ft No Pref Batch > 1 bps RCX It's a forklift Hours

15 Yellow Step - Steve Hassenplug 32x10 No Pref Cont = 1 bps 9V Converts rotating motion into linear motion to raise balls a small amount Weeks

16 Catapult - Steve Hassenplug 32x32 No Pref Batch > 1 bps RCX Arm lifts bucket of balls and dump to next module Weeks

17 Air Lift - Steve Hassenplug 32x32 No Pref Same as Input Pneumatic Compressor drives self-triggering cylinders Weeks

18 The Original Train Loader - Steve Hassenplug 32x32 No Pref Cont RCX Hours

19 Orinoco Flow - Brian Davis 32x32 No Pref Cont RCX Unloads standard GBC hopper cars Minutes

20 Rollercoaster - John Brost 32x32 No Pref Cont > 1 bps RCX It's a rollercoaster Weeks

21 Backhoe - John Brost 64x32 No Pref Small Batch > 1 bps RCX It's a Backhoe Weeks

22 Paddlewheel - John Brost 32x16 No Pref Same as Input 2.5 bps Spybot Days

23 Jigsaw - Philo 32x16 No Pref Cont > 1 bps 9V Days

24 Shovel - Philo 24x16 No Pref Batch > 1 bps 9V Days

25 Unlimited Stairs - Jean-Louis Bergamo 32x16 No Pref Cont > 1 bps 9V Hours

26 Rafe's Ball Contraption - Rafe Donahue 200x60 Cont Small Batch = 1 bps 3 Train Controllers Steps: Approximately 7 (treadmill, screw, pachinko, maze, catching net, chute, sweeper), or 3 or 5 (treadmill, chute, (and possibly new thing, chute), sweeper), depending on route. Months

27 Switchyard - Brian Davis 32x32 No Pref Cont 9V A high-speed lift feeds a binary splitter Minutes

28 Red Chain - Steve Hassenplug 16x10 No Pref Cont 2.5 bps 9V Very simple and fast chain lift Months

29 Loading Dock - Brian Davis 32x32 No Pref Cont 9V Unloads standard GBC hopper cars Minutes

30 Balls Rolling Uphill - John Barnes 32x32 No Pref Cont 9V --

31 A First Attempt - John Barnes 32x32 No Pref Cont 9V Minutes

32 Module #3 - John Barnes 36x32 No Pref Cont 9V Minutes

33 2 Stage - Walt White 72x32 Cont Cont = 1 bps 9V Two stage lifting. Nothing Fancy Hours

34 The Pitching Machine - Curt Werline 100x32 No Pref Cont > 1 bps 9V This module is similar to a baseball pitching machine in that it uses two fast spinning wheels to "pitch" the balls into a backstop Minutes

35 Space Shuttle - Kevin McClure 32x32 Cont Cont 2.5 bps 9V Balls travel from the hopper up a chain lift and down a ramp through a model of the Space Shuttle. Hours

36 Sir Lance-A-Lot + Stargate - Jean-Marc Détraz 64x32 Cont Cont = 1 bps 2x Train Regulator fast rotating treads throughing balls - Receive balls from #1 and send'em to an other world Hours

37 Bingo - Jean-Marc Détraz 16x16 No Pref Cont = 1 bps 9V a bingo ball type Hours

38 Trackster + What Way - Jean-Marc Détraz 80x32 No Pref Cont = 1 bps 1 Train Regulator Vertical climb between treads - one downhill but with 10 different ways to the bottom Minutes

39 Escalade + Spirale - Jean-Marc Détraz 96x96 No Pref Cont 60 bpm 9V climb like stairs close to vertical - spirale with 3 full turns Hours

40 Sorter - Brian Davis 32x32 No Pref Cont = 1 bps RCX None

41 P-Wave - Kevin Clague 32x32 No Pref Cont Pneumatic! This Great Ball Contraption moves balls from its input to its output, using a propogating a wave down its trough. Minutes

42 last minute miracle - ondrew hartigan 32x32 No Pref Cont 9V This machine pushes balls one at a time through a set of fingers into and up the chute that dumps them into the next machine. Minutes

43 Pirates! - Jordan Bradford 4 ftx32 Cont Cont > 1 bps 9V A ball pump pushes balls up a tall tower into a pirate ship. The pirates' "cannon" fires at a nearby town garrison as they attempt to free their captured shipmate. Hours

Updated 8/9/05 4:45:07 PM

#	Module & Builder Name	Size (WxD)	Pref. Input	Output	Throughput	Power Source	Description	Testing Time
1	The Original Unloader - Steve Hassenplug	32x32	No Pref	Batch	> 1 bps	RCX	It's a train	Months
2	Lost in the Jungle - Bunnie Cleland	48x32	No Pref	Cont	= 1 bps	9V		Hours
3	Drip - Steve Hassenplug	10x10	Cont	Cont	> 1 bps	9V	This tiny 10x10 module pumps balls out one at a time	Minutes
4	Cascade - Brian Davis	48x48	No Pref	Cont	> 1 bps	9V	Allows bystanders to byuild there own bit of the GBC	Months
5	Bifrost 2 - Brian Davis	32x32	No Pref	Cont	> 1 bps	RCX	A rainbow bridge to the GBC train	Hours
6	Mass Volume - Steve Hassenplug	32x32	No Pref	Batch	> 1 bps	RCX	Train unloading module	Hours
7	Perpetual Motion VI - Andrew Dykstal	64x25	Batch	Same as Input	> 4bps	9V	This GBC rapidly propels waves of four balls up a set of walls. I have yet to determine the real max throughput.	Months
8	Mass Loader - Steve Hassenplug	32x32	No Pref	Batch	2.5 bps	RCX	Mass volume train loader	Hours
9	Bifrost 1 - Brian Davis	32x32	No Pref	Cont		RCX	Loads standard GBC hopper cars	Minutes
10	Olympic Slalom - Bryan Bonahoom	128x32	No Pref	Cont	> 1 bps	9V		Weeks
11	Scoop - Bryan Bonahoom	32x32	No Pref	Same as Input	2.5 bps	9V		Weeks
12	Drooling Duck - Bryan Bonahoom	32x32	Cont	Cont	> 1 bps	9V	If it looks like a duck, moves like a duck, and drools, it must be a drooling duck.	Weeks
13	Counter Intelligence - Greg Dykstal	64x36	No Pref	Batch	> 1 bps	RCX	It counts a preset number of balls into a bucket and then dumps them	Days
14	'Gus' the Forklift - Brian Davis	4 ftx2 ft	No Pref	Batch	> 1 bps	RCX	It's a forklift	Hours
15	Yellow Step - Steve Hassenplug	32x10	No Pref	Cont	= 1 bps	9V	Converts rotating motion into linear motion to raise balls a small amount	Weeks
16	Catapult - Steve Hassenplug	32x32	No Pref	Batch	> 1 bps	RCX	Arm lifts bucket of balls and dump to next module	Weeks
17	Air Lift - Steve Hassenplug	32x32	No Pref	Same as Input		Pneumatic	Compressor drives self-triggering cylinders	Weeks
18	The Original Train Loader - Steve Hassenplug	32x32	No Pref	Cont		RCX		Hours
19	Orinoco Flow - Brian Davis	32x32	No Pref	Cont		RCX	Unloads standard GBC hopper cars	Minutes
20	Rollercoaster - John Brost	32x32	No Pref	Cont	> 1 bps	RCX	It's a rollercoaster	Weeks
21	Backhoe - John Brost	64x32	No Pref	Small Batch	> 1 bps	RCX	It's a Backhoe	Weeks
22	Paddlewheel - John Brost	32x16	No Pref	Same as Input	2.5 bps	Spybot		Days
23	Jigsaw - Philo	32x16	No Pref	Cont	> 1 bps	9V		Days
24	Shovel - Philo	24x16	No Pref	Batch	> 1 bps	9V		Days
25	Unlimited Stairs - Jean-Louis Bergamo	32x16	No Pref	Cont	> 1 bps	9V		Hours
26	Rafe's Ball Contraption - Rafe Donahue	200x60	Cont	Small Batch	= 1 bps	3 Train Controllers	Steps: Approximately 7 (treadmill, screw, pachinko, maze, catching net, chute, sweeper), or 3 or 5 (treadmill, chute, (and possibly new thing, chute), sweeper), depending on route.	Months
27	Switchyard - Brian Davis	32x32	No Pref	Cont		9V	A high-speed lift feeds a binary splitter	Minutes
28	Red Chain - Steve Hassenplug	16x10	No Pref	Cont	2.5 bps	9V	Very simple and fast chain lift	Months
29	Loading Dock - Brian Davis	32x32	No Pref	Cont		9V	Unloads standard GBC hopper cars	Minutes
30	Balls Rolling Uphill - John Barnes	32x32	No Pref	Cont		9V		--
31	A First Attempt - John Barnes	32x32	No Pref	Cont		9V		Minutes
32	Module #3 - John Barnes	36x32	No Pref	Cont		9V		Minutes
33	2 Stage - Walt White	72x32	Cont	Cont	= 1 bps	9V	Two stage lifting. Nothing Fancy	Hours
34	The Pitching Machine - Curt Werline	100x32	No Pref	Cont	> 1 bps	9V	This module is similar to a baseball pitching machine in that it uses two fast spinning wheels to "pitch" the balls into a backstop	Minutes
35	Space Shuttle - Kevin McClure	32x32	Cont	Cont	2.5 bps	9V	Balls travel from the hopper up a chain lift and down a ramp through a model of the Space Shuttle.	Hours
36	Sir Lance-A-Lot + Stargate - Jean-Marc Détraz	64x32	Cont	Cont	= 1 bps	2x Train Regulator	fast rotating treads throughing balls - Receive balls from #1 and send'em to an other world	Hours
37	Bingo - Jean-Marc Détraz	16x16	No Pref	Cont	= 1 bps	9V	a bingo ball type	Hours
38	Trackster + What Way - Jean-Marc Détraz	80x32	No Pref	Cont	= 1 bps	1 Train Regulator	Vertical climb between treads - one downhill but with 10 different ways to the bottom	Minutes
39	Escalade + Spirale - Jean-Marc Détraz	96x96	No Pref	Cont	60 bpm	9V	climb like stairs close to vertical - spirale with 3 full turns	Hours
40	Sorter - Brian Davis	32x32	No Pref	Cont	= 1 bps	RCX		None
41	P-Wave - Kevin Clague	32x32	No Pref	Cont		Pneumatic!	This Great Ball Contraption moves balls from its input to its output, using a propogating a wave down its trough.	Minutes
42	last minute miracle - ondrew hartigan	32x32	No Pref	Cont		9V	This machine pushes balls one at a time through a set of fingers into and up the chute that dumps them into the next machine.	Minutes
43	Pirates! - Jordan Bradford	4 ftx32	Cont	Cont	> 1 bps	9V	A ball pump pushes balls up a tall tower into a pirate ship. The pirates' "cannon" fires at a nearby town garrison as they attempt to free their captured shipmate.	Hours