Quoted from John_I:

Eventually JJP will go to a node board system like everyone else. That will get rid of most of the redundant wiring along with the transformer.

Quoted from cottonm4:

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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Quoted from wayout440:

You would need a lot more than two grooves to cover all the different voltages and signals. This would greatly limit real estate for playfield parts and machinery. The node/network topology is, at the present time, one of the best options to limit bulky wiring. We use a form of it in our Axia mixing console systems. A single standard networking cable to transport high quality instead of a bundle of analog audio cables.

Quoted from Mitch:

Coils all run at over 40 volts. Also playfeilds already have warping issues cutting grooves I the back would make it so much worse.
Also how would you do the switch matrix and insert lighting, yes the voltage is easy but they all need independent wires for control

Quoted from wayout440:

I understand that. I was comparing your transport system to current tech in games: coil power, switch signal power and lamps. Just to run programmable serial LEDs themselves takes 3 wires: ground, supply, and communication. You are not going to run a solenoid off the same voltage supply, nor are you going to run your switches. Then the signals has to get to the individual playfield items....so in my mind I'm thinking the playfield is going to be designed like a large wooden circuit board - is that correct? So what happens in places where these different paths cross? They'll have to be insulated. ...come to think of it: what the heck do you really need a groove for anyway? Electricity isn't bound by a groove. Why wouldn't this just be foil on the surface, but insulated so it doesn't come into contact when it crosses another pa....ah, well - guess we will just use wire.

Quoted from cottonm4:

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 very much gain.

Quoted from Turtle:

Best post I've seen in a while. This thread is a great example engineering doesn't cost anything, right?

Quoted from John_I:

Sure they could, but not very practical. It's not just a matter of tradition. It's a matter of not wanting to have coils with half an ohm of impedance. Try getting a set of 12v flippers running and tell me how it goes.

Quoted from Turtle:

It does seem that way. Now, where can I nominate these awesome posts/responses. 2nd best post TheLaw.

How are those slings going to work. No re-design, right?

Quoted from Zablon:

I don't think asking the question is wrong, I mean, that is how we advance to new ways to do things....but I think the overall thing holding back big redesigns is simply cost.