Actions
Forum Thread Details
  • Replies 6 replies
  • Subscribers 30 subscribers
  • Views 747 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Related

The Ben Heck Show: Build Idea

toxxn

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.

Parents Reply Children
  • in reply to royston02

    Thank you for those URL's, Adafruit has some awesome products.

     

    However buying a coin mechanism kind of defeats the purpose of making your own from scratch using a little ingenuity and imagination.

    I like having the satisfaction of saying, "I did that" or "This is my design".

     

    The purpose of my build idea was to see how Ben would go about making his own Coin Mechanism.

    I like to see how any one idea differs from person to person.

  • in reply to toxxn

    Simplist coin mechanism is probably a slot with a micro switch inside positioned so it completely blocks the slot and is depressed when a coin is inserted. Problem is it would not be secure and could be triggered with any random long thin thing. Unfortunately the mechanisms need to be complex to prevent fraud. You could always laser cut a custom faceplate for a commercial mechanism though.

  • in reply to kidiccurus

    For some reason it completely skipped my mind to just take out electronics all together and just use a simple microswitch.

    There are ways to somewhat go around fraud though however, such as a ramp design. Crude example below.

    image

    This would prevent being able to stick something down in there to trip the switch. (Unless you have some extreme determination.)

    A spiral ramp type design could be used as well.

     

    A problem with this simple design, is the fact you could not regulate the coin itself, meaning any coin or small weighted disc would work. Unless you otherwise cut a small slit in the ramp that only a quarter, for example, could continue past, allowing anything smaller to slip through thus not activating the microswitch, but with that you also run the risk of the quarter getting stuck.

    Another problem is the fact that there would be no coin return. In the case the coin did not properly trip the microswitch, you would be kind of burnt out of luck.

     

    Although with my cabinet, the coin mechanism would only be for an aesthetic/ authentic feel and I would most likely add a second hidden microswitch.

    I don't expect my first full cabinet build to be perfect though.

     

    I just figured this would be a cool little project for anyone to try out, especially if you are going for complete customization and I would definitely love to see Ben's take on the project.

  • in reply to toxxn

    How about this?

    A potentiometer can be used instead of the micro-switch to prevent fraud. The potentiometer will only turn a certain amount to let the coin in whereas a long object will turn it to it's max. so if a microcontroller can sense a range, than a long thin object won't be a success.