Have a nice collection of .obj pieces. not sure if they will convert over..

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Forgot about .stl that would work. I to would be surprised if it were to scale most likely not but yes, true scale to itself +-.001. Yea the ramps are a pain mostly for lack of reference points and getting the up ramp angle and curve is important to get right. I use box molding methods more or less and that one i had the actual machine and separate ramp to model from. Thanks

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Thing i cheated on, just used a hand model from poser. Chair was a pain and still lacking detail but as to the original intention of the post all this would be nothing more then to get a good realistic look at the end result of a layout.

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This was one of my favorite renders..

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I totally agree, it gives little benefit to laying out a table more so just to give a visual representation which is of little use. For me its just fun

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Very nice work. I haven't used that program very much but i can't believe its modeling tools are that different. I draw all the parts in 2d in Autocad first then import them into 3dsMax to lathe, extrude or loft the objects out then materials etc..

I so badly wish i had a 3d printer. That flux machine looks sharp.

One thing i have always wanted to make was a vacuum forming machine. I have access to a machine shop fully capable of making molds for ramps and stuff. Always looking to take on a new project

Sounds like a good idea, i'm in.

An Ftp might be the way to go though i am not to familiar with it. For now i think this way is just fine. Sending now...

Yep, the link works. i can see my file in there I exported all the basic pieces along with a pinball for scale reference. 1.0625 dia.

Export options for 3dsMax 2014 .obj files

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I think the only thing i would need to make a pinball machine is a silkscreen company, the rest is pretty do-able. oh and a cnc wireforming machine would be nice (for habitrails) The code would be hard for sure but i think it would also be the funnest part (at times)

I can also export in other formats directly from Max if that will save some time. Once we figure it all out should be a cinch.

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Re-saved a post as a .DXF but again there are a number of options i have. For now i used the default settings.

Interesting layout. Looks fun What is the deal with the i guess flipping playfield under the main playfield?

They can't afford it

That looks like fun! I wish i had a 3d printer. And a cnc router. And plastic mold injection machine .
If i were you i would put a clutch in that thing if and when a limit switch fails. Do you have a video of this yet? Very cool indeed.

I would love to see a layout of that

There are so many way you could do that. I love a good engineering problem to solve.
So you want the Merc to slowly travel in one direction untill its either rescued and transformed to the Winnebago and quickly returned or untill it reaches the end, in this case Spaceball One and stop then reset?

Williams has done this on a few machines like BSD and Stern with Big Buck Hunter with a worm drive shaft the only difference is that it it cut to return automatically in other words you can let it run and it will simply go back and forth. I can't seem to find one on Marco as an example. Marco has a huge assortment of motors to use as well.

Mechanical switches could be a problem until you get a ridged chassis with nice smooth movements, i would say go with opto or eddie switch's instead. Or prox switches.

Are you running wires to the carriage for lighting or whatnot? The ol' telephone coiled wire trick

Thought about the belt too but how to get it to flip? Easily

Thought thats what you were doing. You might want to just get a Lead screw and nut assembly. I would say to use a very low TPI or pitch with a geared motor for smoother movement.

ebay.com link: CNC LEAD SCREW 24 10 TPI 1 4 DIAMETER PLASTIC NUT ANTI BACKLASH NUT

Just an example

I think this is the simplest most elegant way you could go. Anything else would require a separate wired device on top of the carriage to flip over the two with the logic to do it. It would get way to complicated.

You might consider making the mount points for the lead screw and motor separate from the "box" letting you have freedom to make it rigid and mount to the PF directly.

Yea i see what you mean. The only other way i could see would be to have the carriage ride along a guide but the flipping mech would have to be different. hmmmm...

Give me a minute..processing..

Here's one solution. obviously the smaller the diameter of the cam is the quicker it will turn but you get the idea.

I think this may be a bit more reliable and controllable friction wise. Here is one with a smaller camm you can notice the speed change.

Or even dis-engage it.

An even simpler way is to just build the box around the carriage and turn the wheel in one shape. I would even install brass shims along the friction points. Will make it straight and smooth as silk.
And with this i see no reason you couldn't use your exsisting lead screw because it will be encapsulated
but i might upgrade it for longevity anyway. Your thread pitch per inch will depend on the time you want for full travel and the motor drive output rpm. Sure there is some formula for it lol. In fact you can also use a belt with this orientation. That would be a snap..

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I would probably just use a pinswitch for the eos. They are tough, simple, very easy to install and cheep

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"Long-Shaft" lol

This would also give you a kick ass 3d view of the ships flying towards and away from the playfield surface as they changed direction.

I guess this takes us back to the original discussion about using 3d as a valuable tool for creating, at least for me. As you can see I can go through multiple revisions before anything is cut or wasted and really see how things fit together. I mean sure, i may have been able to draw it on a piece of paper but in the computer man, its just so much easier (and with much less erasing

No i totally agree, failure is a huge part of learning to do anything for sure. I've had my far share, some not a big deal and others quite costly. I, after many "just wing it" attempts now use it all the time. Even for something as simple as deciding on a paint color for the hallway Sometimes its almost like cheating.

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So did any of my models work/open in SW?

Thats easy just farm it out to Pinsiders with cnc routers, etc..

Thats pretty cool

Damn, i have to get a 3d printer. All i have is a Haas VF2 4 axis

We actually have two of them haha but still, i genuinely would love to get my hands on a 3d printer.

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That does simplify things