1:8 Scale Mini Bowling Alley (5-Pin) - A micro:bit project

#bowling #microbit #lego #model #minibowling
***SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BOWLING ALLEY***
This is my fully automated 1:8 scale model Canadian 5-Pin bowling alley. It took 4 months to complete (hey...I have kids alright?). Made of pine wood, Lego, and some homemade components. The Pinsetter is controlled by a BBC micro:bit computer that was programmed with Microsoft Makecode. The Lego pinsetter mechanism is loosely based on an old Mendes 5-pin pinsetter. A ball is detected when an infra red beam is broken, triggering the micro:bit to poll the homemade "shock sensors" for pinfall. The pinsetter then cycles automatically. Strike, spare, and ball indicator is a 2nd micro:bit that communicates over radio with the main micro:bit controller. A third micro:bit serves as a remote to reset the pinsetter manually (with programmed "cheat" button - pressing this activates ball return and subtracts one from the ball counter!).
***UPDATE***: I made some changes since posting this video which made for more efficient operation. The changes eliminated all Lego Power Functions motors and the dependency on using the Lego IR receiver with generic IR LED light for operation.
Measurements:
Model: 81" by 12" (206 cm x 30 cm)
Pins: 1 5/8" (43 mm)
Balls: 5/8" (16-17 mm)
Lane: 70" x 5 1/2"
This gives roughly 1:7.5 scale, with the exception of the lane length.
Component list:
- 3x micro:bit computers (pinsetter control, strike/spare/ball indicator, and remote)
- 1x KittenBot Robot:bit robotics platform
- 3x Geekservo 2KG DC motors (update eliminated 1x Lego Power Functions M-motor)
- 1x Geekservo 270 degree servo (update eliminated 1x Lego Power Functions M-motor)
- 2x DFRobot Piezoelectric vibration sensors
- 1x Infrared break beam
- 5x 3D-printed bowling pins
- 5x rubber water faucet washers
- 5x generic 9g servos
- 5x foam round blaster balls
- 5x toothpicks
- 5x 1.5" finishing nails
- 5x springs from ball-point pens
- Ball return from Playmobil set No. 9440
- 1x Belkin Universal AC/DC power adapter, 3 Amps
- Upholstery thread
- Various Lego and Technic pieces, including 2x large linear actuators, 2x LED light sets, and 1x PF battery box (update eliminated 1x PF battery box)
- Pine wood lane finished with fast-drying polyurethane
- Synthetic wood wall trim (for gutters and ball return track)
- Photo paper printed signs
- Hot glue
- Blood, sweat, and tears 8)
Music: The Alan Parsons Project - Sirius (Clap Codex Remix) - / clapcodex
Stock VFX elements: mixkit.co/

[@EzlerPlayz3425]

great work! 🤩I love the pins and ball return!

[@5ivepinbowler865]

Hey thanks! Yours is coming along nicely too

[@Tycoon_plays]

I have a wooden bowling alley also

[@glenrhex4086]

👍

[@mikebabineau9989]

Where can i find the 3d print file?

[@5ivepinbowler865]

I made it but the printer guy I sent it to said there was a problem and he could not slice the object. He fixed it though - I will have to ask him for a copy of that file and post it somewhere

[@mikebabineau9989]

Can you please show me how you did this. Would love to build a version for my game room

[@5ivepinbowler865]

When I have time, I'll make an assembly video of it.