I still want to know what ArcadeAction 's secret is for a good TZ diverter catch, but today I started working on a prototype mod for the issue. Adding a magnet works pretty well, but it doesn't help the Powerball. The Powerball also moves faster so it is really prone to bounce-outs.
I think a one-way gate is worth looking at, so I made one.
tz diverter gate prototype (resized).png
I don't have a 3d printer, but I do have a laser cutter, so when I make stuff I have to think flat pack Ikea designs. This is just made in scrap acrylic, and the wire is actually .030" from my model airplane supplies. None of this is right for a final product, but the prototype actually worked really well!
tz diverter gate prototype in game (resized).png
The main problem is that a very fast ball can still bounce back out. I had to use my phone to take some slo-mo video to see what was happening. It looks like the ball can bounce back out before the gate has swung down from gravity. You can see a slomo here:
https://imgur.com/a/O4rpLgN
It is already a big improvement and I am optimistic that with some tweaks it can become highly reliable.
- Thicker gate wire, so it won't flex (.050?)
- Gate placed bit farther from the entrance
- Gate maybe slightly longer
- Adjust gate shape/angle so the ball barely gets under it
- Momentum killing foam where the ball impacts (but a one-piece stick-on design is more elegant if possible)
- Open to ideas!
Of course if someone already figured this out and sells the mod, give me a link.
Lastly... I think part of the problem on my game is that there is a lot of play in the diverter mech. I can wiggle the diverter up and down about 1/4". I think a fast-moving ball can bounce back out under the gate sometimes due to this slop, possibly plus wire flex. Can anyone confirm if this amount of play is normal or not?
https://imgur.com/a/zdXlam5