MMX Working Eight Marble Helix Lift MK3, AKA Its Alive!: Tray feeding test MrGonzonator 2021-06-01 | With the MK3 teeth and some additional stabilisation of the axle, the Helix Lift now works!This, then, is a test of the self feeding characteristics when marbles come from an open tray, in this case a 10° cone.See it combined with the Triggered Escapement divide by four here!youtu.be/0k9OG4aXB7U
Huge flock of geese! MrGonzonator 2023-11-23 | Huge flock of geese returning to roost for the evening, 4pm Nov 17, Scottish Highlands
MMXT Magnetless Wheel Lift Linear Prototype: Unloading Tests MrGonzonator 2021-07-31 | With Martin on holiday, the Discord has been pouring over his plans for the MMXt, the touring version of the MMX.The plans call for a magnetless figure of eight pair of lifting wheels to do all the lifting (no conveyor, no demagnetiser) and for minimal use of pipes. They also call for the possibility of three different sizes of marbles (!).Discord has been discussing at great length the ramifications and design specifications of such a lift, how it could be fed with a stack of unconstrained trays etc. This was my practical test of the unloading mechanism of such a wheel.
MMXt Pocket Divider: Can one simple additional lane act as a flood defence? MrGonzonator 2021-07-27 | The MMX rotated pocket divider is a fantastic height independent design, but can suffer from clogging at high marble volumes.MMXt will be designed for maximum marble throughput, so those flood scenarios will likely be the new normal.So how can we adapt this successful and proven divider to prevent clogging? Can a simple additional lane solve the bottleneck?Previous video with rotated pockets: youtu.be/KJ957ALQxeYDiscord link to join the conversation: discord.gg/gXvxC8qy
MMXt MK2 Magnetless Wheel Lift Linear Prototype: Loading Tests MrGonzonator 2021-07-24 | Some changes were made: First, I made the pockets twice as deep and then I made tray smooth, to see if we can improve the loading speed of the Magnetless Wheel Lift Linear Prototype.Mk1 Prototype testing here: youtu.be/wsR0pjYAgrc
MMXt Next Generation Magnetless Wheel Lift: Loading test MrGonzonator 2021-07-23 | With Martin on holiday, the Discord has been pouring over his plans for the MMXt, the touring version of the MMX.The plans call for a magnetless figure of eight pair of lifting wheels to do all the lifting (no conveyor, no demagnetiser) and for minimal use of pipes. They also call for the possibility of three different sizes of marbles (!).Discord has been discussing at great length the ramifications and design specifications of such a lift, how it could be fed with a stack of unconstrained trays etc. This was my first approximation practical test of the loading mechanism of such a wheel.
MMX Escapement Triggered DB8: The final installment. MrGonzonator 2021-07-11 | Thanks you to all the Discord community for giving me such helpful advice on this buildIn particular I'd like to thank The Moen, who invented the kink trigger itself but also had the idea of the resetting arm on the trigger.The original Kink Trigger:youtu.be/XmkbRHknYmkThis was such a cool idea on paper, that I couldn't let it go until I had seen it in the flesh. That escapement is so beguiling that I had to see it working for myself.In the end, it nearly worked. It took hours of trimming and sanding and shimming to get it even this far. I likely have an hour of footage of all the ways this thing can fail.But having come to terms with its failure, I returned to the Discord with a new perspective:even if it had worked perfectly, the DB8 would NEVER have been fast enough to deal with the Conveyor feed, as it relies on stopping the marble feed on every turn.An open tray is likely the only thing that can handle the 8 marbles per beat that the conveyor consumes. A hex stack like that demonstrated by Ross Cowie is my personal favourite.youtu.be/s5shapiWi74
MMX Kink Trigger: FAILED attempt to improve on a Masterpiece by @TheMoen MrGonzonator 2021-07-06 | Please watch the wonderful demonstration of the WORKING design by @TheMoen here:media.discordapp.net/attachments/817386387941752832/860731195398553620/MOV_HFR_120F_20210703054913_000.mp4Also in slow motion here:media.discordapp.net/attachments/817386387941752832/860750264138858496/Mov_slow.mp4And on YouTube a video showing individual marble loading:youtu.be/XmkbRHknYmkNEXT AND FINAL INSTALLMENT ON THE DB8 HERE: youtu.be/901zPop6ftQ
MMX DB8: Divide by Eight Triggered Escapement - First functional test! MrGonzonator 2021-06-30 | It's only partially assembled, but I couldn't resist trying out the new DB8.Too early to tell if it will withstand the punishment of marble stacks, how fast it will go, how sensitive it will be etc but functionality seems to be there even now.
MMX Marbles Backup Relief Valve for the DB4 MrGonzonator 2021-06-26 | During livestreams we have often seen the fish stair or Divide by four clogging up for one reason or another.The first indication Martin gets is the characteristic sound of Marbles stuck to the demagnetiser... by which point there are already marbles clogging up the whole machine, falling into the programming wheel etc...What if we had a pressure relief valve that would both prevent such backups from happening, and give earlier warning that things are going wrong?
MMX Helix Lift Short Update: The exit ramp. MrGonzonator 2021-06-22 | Step one of integrating the Helix Lift with the Triggered Escapement Divide by Four is this exit ramp. Needs to be fairly steep to clear the marbles before the next wave.(In a full scale MMX version, they would likely exit out into the centre of the turntable of a Lazy Susan, for onward distribution.)Needs a little bit of sanding to give the clips clearance on the helix, but the function is as expected.
MMX Triggered Escapement Divide by Four V2: Improved triggers? MrGonzonator 2021-06-19 | See it combined with the Helix Lift here!youtu.be/0k9OG4aXB7U
MMX Triggered Escapement Divide by Four MrGonzonator 2021-06-18 | See the next instalment here:youtu.be/PHENs7AaO60Or see it combined with the Helix Lift here!youtu.be/0k9OG4aXB7U
Building a Summer House Day 2: The Roof MrGonzonator 2021-06-15 | The second day of the build, we got the majority of the roof finished and just in time!Just as the rubber went down the heavens opened for a solid two days of typical Scottish Summer.Just the last finishings and floor to do now.
Building a Summer House Day 1: Mistakes were made. MrGonzonator 2021-06-14 | Sorry, no MMX videos lately, been busy on some DIY projects!I helped erect this fabulous summer house for a family member a couple of weeks back. Roof went up next the next day but the footage was even more ropey.We made many many mistakes but it was a lot of fun and the finished product is beautiful.Here's a link to the website:simplylogcabins.co.uk/norland-newark-1-p573
MMX Eight Marble Helix Lift ft. MK2 Teeth: a little less wrong! (STILL A FAIL!) MrGonzonator 2021-05-31 | See the next instalment of the Helix saga here!youtu.be/ChiL4otAhjU
MMX Eight Marble Helix Lift demonstration (featuring Mrs Gonzonator!) MrGonzonator 2021-05-27 | Now with two layers, the potential can be seen.
MMX Archimedes Screw Sideways Treadmill Conveyer Marble Lift by 32Dog (concept demonstrator) MrGonzonator 2021-05-19 | See Discord in Conveyer Belt thread.
MMX Lazy Susan Marble Collimator Technology Demonstrator MrGonzonator 2021-05-17 | To produce a single collimated stream of marbles from numerous sources.Made using 3D printed PLA, Lego and Technic, glass and steel marbles, Blu Tac and a yoga mat.
Ender 3 V2 Screwless Adjustable Spool holder MrGonzonator 2021-05-07 | I was uncomfortable with the way the filament reel was turning on the spool holder. So, I designed this adjustable spool holder which holds the reel centrally, whilst accommodating various sizes of reel.Other designs existed but usually relied on screws to clamp, which can be tricky to print accurately, or flexible parts that rely heavily on accurate tolerance and specific materials.I believe this is a more forgiving and easier to make part since it simply slots together and is held by elastic bands.Model and instructions available here:thingiverse.com/thing:4852409
MMX Magnet-less Marble Wheel Lift Designed by Lund Part 2! MrGonzonator 2021-05-07 | Whoops, I entirely missed this feature, but it's absolutely there!Marbles will auto-eject after they transfer to resting on the sloped tooth.Part 1 here:youtu.be/Zv4KA-XAbhI
MMX Magnet-less Marble Wheel Lift Designed by Lund Part 1 MrGonzonator 2021-05-07 | Additional video showing the feature I missed here:youtu.be/qmJoKAgJWP8Design by Lund, see Discord:discord.com/channels/649165975647682560/813982640158933002/839914294405890108
Fidget Star 3D Print by Chuuckaduuck MrGonzonator 2021-04-30 | One of my first 3D prints!Files from chuuckaduuck on Thingiversethingiverse.com/thing:4802126/makesMade at 150% scale on an Ender 3 V2 with grey PLA.
MMX Swirly Susan Lego concept demonstration (swash plate) MrGonzonator 2021-04-29 | Ignoring the drive mechanism, which was the best I could come up with without lots of gears, this demonstrates a way to achieve swirling using rotating wheels at different heights, under the Swirly Susan platform.See this video for the potential application of this "swash plate" idea...youtu.be/DKMn_W4aXdo
MMX Cyberbase Funkaliser with Marble Activated Pivoting Mute (Concept Demonstration) MrGonzonator 2021-04-23 | ...
MMX - Cyberbase Pacman Assembly - Alternative design using racks MrGonzonator 2021-04-22 | Martin is designing a double stacked Pacman gate system for the Cyberbase, which presents a unique challenge due to the tight confines.This alternative design utilises a rack and pinion mechanism to allow the gates to all to be operated identically, with the rear ones reversed, and all on the same horizontal level. On the front, all the activation points (red) are all right next to each other.In addition to what I've included, there would also be a spring and soft catch to disconnect the mechanism from the activation arms and allow them greater/variable travel. The travel required to activate the Pacman is only 26.3mm. The maximum depth of the system is 260mm, and the width is under 100mm. From the bottom of the dropper to the top of the Pacman is under 110mm.
MMX Counter-Rotating Swirly Buckets / Turntables Marble Colimnator (feed for Y-Tree Divider concept) MrGonzonator 2021-04-18 | This is the one. Feel free to riff of this idea, I think this could be the answer.
MMX Tilt and Swirl Marble Colimnator: WARNING: Extremely Loud! (feed for the Y-Tree Divider concept) MrGonzonator 2021-04-17 | See Discord
MMX Not-a-Lazy-Susan Rotating Brush Marble Colimnator (feed for the Y-Tree Divider concept) MrGonzonator 2021-04-17 | ...
MMX New Escape Dropper Gate Design Animation Loop with Sound MrGonzonator 2021-04-15 | Martin's new Fusion Escapement Dropper Gate Design, created in Fusion 360, downloaded to SketchUp, painstakingly recoloured and stop-motion animated, stitched together with Microsoft Video Editor, with sound added from:free sound effects from fesliyanstudios.com
MMX 3D Printed Slipping Gear for Lazy Susan 8:1 Colimnator MrGonzonator 2021-04-12 | So I got my 3D printer and even though it's not dialed in just right, and I broke one of the gears, this planetary gear set still works!I'm imagining it could be utilised to allow some slip to the Lazy Susan drivetrain, preventing catastrophic failure in the event of a marble clog.
MMX Just Dropping By Y featuring D&B MrGonzonator 2021-04-12 | Just the high-speed Y test with sound, looped and enhanced.
MMX High Speed Test of Burficating Y Bypass feed for Y-Tree Divider (Test starts at 2:03 :) ) MrGonzonator 2021-04-11 | A high speed (@240 FPS) test of the Bypass Y.Original design @MangoMango.See also youtu.be/QOauXhGxRR8 for just the high-speed part, with SOUND.
MMX Instrument Feed Splitter based on the @MangoMango Burficating Y: Go from 38 Divider holes to 19. MrGonzonator 2021-04-06 | See Discord.
MMX Divide by Two, yes, I know I said I was done with this; sue me. MrGonzonator 2021-04-06 | Credit:Burficating Y design: @MangoMangoStuck marble concept: @TheMoenPassive Divots: @LundSee Discord for details.
MMX The Completed* @Mangomango Burficating Divide by Two MrGonzonator 2021-04-05 | * As far as I'm taking it!See Discord for details.
MMX Rotary Divide By 4 With Escapement Triggers (RDB4WET 420) MrGonzonator 2021-04-01 | GIF Looped into a video for easier viewing.
