How the idea came about:
I love to help out the community the best to my knowledge frequently hanging around the element14 forums looking for new and create ideas people have and people looking for help, although I do not normally post build ideas or suggestions for The Ben Heck Show, however whist doing some research on one of my favorite projects, I came up with a build idea that I would absolutely love to see on the show so I thought I would post my very first build idea. Recently I built a mini-mobile-arcade using a raspberry pi which was a really neat project to have designed and built. I am currently saving a little back so that I can go bigger with a full size arcade cabinet and eventually a custom pinball table. Whilst in my research I decided to look up coin mechanisms to use in my upcoming arcade cabinet build, just to have that authentic arcade cabinet feel. And then the idea dawned on me.
The build idea:
A custom built, fully functional and simple coin mechanism for arcade cabinets, pinball machines, and more.
I love customization when it comes to just about anything, and with my plans for an upcoming cabinet build, I have spent time trying to come up with ways that I could further customize the cabinet so that its more unique from other cabinets. I would love to build a custom coin mech.
I figured the coin mechanism parts itself could be laser cut or even 3D printed.
A dev board such as an Arduino or even a Raspberry Pi could be used as the electronic components.
When a coin is inserted it hits a microswitch thus sending a signal to the Arduino or Pi telling it to allow an outgoing signal to simulate a button press/ coin insert.
I plan to use either an Xin Mo USB Module or an I-PAC USB module for my arcade buttons and joystick, so a simple signal to the coin insert would be enough.
I figure this would be a fun and easy project for Arcade and Pinball enthusiast such as myself and I think it would be a great build for the show.
