What happens when you need to install a sling shot assembly, or any other under-play field part and one of the mounting screws will land in the middle of one of the grooves? In other words, how would it be possible to cut grooves into the play field and not have interference problems with all of the play field parts?

Where would the grooves be located? Along one side of the play field? Or would they be located in the middle of the play field?

Assume you place the grooves along the right hand side of the play field. And over in the upper left of the play field, there is a vertical up kicker. How are going to connect the VUK to something in the groove that is on the opposite side of the play field ?

Oh, so now we are talking about "the" metal trough? Where did that come from? Why does there need to be a metal trough instead of just some grooves cut into the underside of the play field?

When I think of a play field, I see two flippers and maybe three. Two sling shots. A VUK. Maybe a saucer, or two. Several rollover switches with at least four rollovers associated with just the inlanes/outlanes. 2 or 3 pop bumpers. Not to mention all of the lights all over the place.

When you say "the metal trough wouldn't have to be in a straight line", I see grooves cut into a piece of plywood that winds around chasing all of the parts on the play field. Grooves that do a good job of weakening the integrity and strength of the ply wood play field.

And now, the play field designer, while still trying to figure out where he/she is going to place all of the parts on top of the play field, now has to figure out how he is going to route the grooves, as well? Like, "damn, I can't make a groove work in this spot so I guess I will need to relocate a couple of pops so they will work with the groove".

When you say "the metal trough wouldn't have to be in a straight line", I see this.

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Maybe the 50 dollar /20 dollar extra you toss out could be paid for with savings in amount of wire used. But now you have a thicker play field. This means re-engineering new flippers with longer shafts, it means the LEDs will have a longer "reach" before they can shine light under the inserts.

Maybe what you are thinking about would work. Maybe not. But it would not just be a light bulb moment and, " Hey, this is what we are going to start doing. We don't need to research it. Let's just go ahead and set the line up for a new configuration."

What you are talking would require much engineering research for cost advantages, assembly line advantages, and a whole host of a lot of other items you have not even considered.

I think what you are talking would amount to a whole lot of extra work for much not very much gain.

Keep digging !

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