Lego GBC Observer 👁 Week 21, 2020

Good morning, afternoon, or perhaps evening where-ever you are.  Welcome to the Lego GBC Observer for week 21, 2020.  There hasn't been too much new GBC activity over the last week, so a few of these choice picks are from earlier in the year.

First up is a speed-o-meter module from Bananaman, these types of modules have been done before, and use a differential mechanism to adjust the "speed" indicator, which will decrease over time unless balls are flowing through the machine.  Good stuff 🍌🕺.



Next, Snowy has created a new conveyor module with an interesting feature (which you'll have to see for yourself).  While the feature is relatively simple, I've never seen this on any other module.  This will allow for some basic audience interaction, very creative!



And for the finale this week, Lawrie walks us through his glow in the dark WORLD OF LIGHTS segment he did for the last Brickworld Virtual event.  My favourite is the super heroes shooter tower with the glowing balls being shot through the air.



Have a great week everyone!

New Lego GBC Module Video - Catamaran Remix

Today I'm doing the official reveal of my 42105 Catamaran Remix Lego GBC module.  This module uses parts from the Lego Technic 42105 Catamaran set, and has resulted in a vertical sweeper module that actually floats! (Video linked below)

It was challenging trying to figure out how to incorporate the sails into a GBC module, and in the end they ended up being used as part of the input bin and output ramp.  The worm gears included in this set allowed for a proper gear reduction, and the pontoons worked as a large stable base for the module.

In order to achieve the floating, I had to add a few Lego boat weight pieces to help balance the weight in the stern of the boat.

I've run this module at a few events now both live and virtual and it has had no issues.  The input bin does not meet the standard for 30 ball batch, but smaller batches of 10 or less seem to work okay.

Instructions will be available in the boutique soon, so check back later if you are interested!

Lego GBC Observer 👁 Week 20, 2020

Week 20, 2020.  If only there was 20 videos to feature, or perhaps a video with 20 modules...

First up is a shooter from smartbricks. Shooters have been done many times in many different ways, but the simplicity of this module is the stand out feature to me.



I love the nonsense wars videos because the builder (pikohan) is very informational.  In this video, he walks us through the creation of this stepper that uses a circular motion to achieve the lift.



And here we have Riku K's finished "Oldham Coupling", this is definitely a "can't stop watching" type of module.  It's part of his Modular Module series, where one input/powertrain can connect to many different types of modules/outputs.



Have a great week everyone!

Video of my Lego GBC loop that was shown at the Brickworld Virtual Con Spring 2020

I recently participated in the Virtual GBC loop that was happened at the Brickworld Virtual Con event, last Saturday.  5 other builders and myself prepared a home layout and then walked through it while answering questions and providing some additional information on each module in the layout.  Hosts Bob, Rafe, and special guest Tom Atkinson kept things interesting and enjoyable as we ran through each of the loops twice.

It was a fun time and I hope to participate in the June show as well.

Brickworld Virtual GBC this weekend.

After a successful practice run earlier today, I'm happy to announce I will be participating in the Brickworld Virtual GBC this weekend on Saturday May 16th starting at 11am EST (GMT-4).  Several other GBC builders from around the world have come together to provide Lego Great Ball Contraption entertainment at this event.  I will be running a layout with 14 of my modules, and answering questions along the way. ⚽🏀

If you would like to join in on the fun, more information can be found at the BW Virtual website here: https://brickworld.com/brickworld-virtual-may-16/

Lego GBC Observer 👁 Week 19, 2020

Welcome to Week 19 of the Lego GBC Observer not so live, from the not so secret lair of the Great Ball Pit! Some interesting modules and mechanisms appeared over the last week, and these ones deserve a second, third, and forth look.

First up, builder Riku Katsumata brings us a new mechanism that is very interesting. It uses a flywheel and some interesting motion in the technic beams to rotate the structure.  This is similar to one of his previously spectacular builds the "orbit overlap".



Normally I like to feature "GBC Standard" compliant modules, but this tiny scissor lift is very interesting. I'm curious about it s long term reliability for a convention ready module.



Mindstork is back with a new "Dumpster" module.  It reminds me of his other popular module, the "cradle tipper".  It's nice to see new modules that are using the Banana gears, I have a pile I need to use up.  One of these will be on my build table if instructions are ever released.



Have a great week everyone!

Lego GBC Observer 👁 Week 18, 2020

Welcome to week 18 of the GBC Observer for 2020.  Now that I'm 95% moved in to our new home, I'm happy to get these posts back on track and on time!  So take a look at some great GBC videos that have recently appeared over on YouTube.

Nonsense Wars has created a great "multi-stepper" that uses 3 different types of stepper mechanisms in one module. He also steps us through some of the design and build challenges that was faced when creating this module, nice job!



Kevin Mitcham shows us a home layout that would have presumably been brought to BrickCan 2020 this year if it wasn't cancelled due to Covid.  There is a few new modules in here and everything seems to be dialed in, thanks for sharing Kevin.



Huw is back with a new spike prime based module that solves a major issue with creating scissor lift type mechanisms.  A whole lot of force is needed to get the lift started when it is in its collapsed position.  This is solved here by using the newer large actuators that can provide that strength needed to get it moving.



Have a great week everyone!