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I want to gather all the ideas you all post for the build. If I missed something, let me know in the comments.
You guys are great. Keep the ideas coming!
Parts Needed: (so far)
- Microcontroller Requirements:
- Able to process game logic at a fast pace (10,000Hz+)
- Ability to stream 2 channels of WAV audio from an SD card (sound FX/music)
- Can drive a display of some sort, such as an LCD or LED.
- Enough I/O for buttons and game sensors.
- System Mechanical Requirements:
- Drive at least 2 solenoids (flippers) up to 6 would be nice.
- I/R or switch sensor control to detect what the ball is doing.
- Servo control for additional game features.
- Interface Requirements:
- 2 flipper buttons, 1 start button
- Ball plunger
- On/Off switch
- USB programming port and SD card slot
- Display Requirements:
- Cheap! Which means small, but not so small that a player can't read it.
- Alphanumeric to display rules, goals, and which player is up.
- Hitachi 44780 might work, if we can find them cheap enough (<$5)
- Sound Requirements
- Maybe just one speaker which we mix stereo audio into.
- Maybe the flipper buttons in attract mode act as volume controls (saves us from using a knob)
- Headphone jack near the back of the unit on the main board? Keep everything on the main board if possible.
- Quick mute option?
Other Design Factors
- Target audience:
- People who want to design their own games.
- Fun project for kids.
- How does this compare to the cardboard pinball kit which costs $50?
- Cost:
- No more than $250, meaning we have to get our price under $80.
- What are the most expensive parts? Can we exclude things (like batteries) to make it cheaper?
- Need a wall wart for power.
- Overall size:
- Slightly longer than original mini pinball, otherwise mostly the same.
Project Progress
- Designed symmetrical flipper assembly that can be made for left or right based off how the metal is bent.
- Designed everything to use a single size of solenoid, which is smaller (cheaper) than before.
- Successful test with Teensy 3.6 MCU.
- Started worked on code libraries including game state machine loop.
Project To-Do
- Design more parts to be in the game, such as small pop bumpers, targets or slings. How many will be included in the kit?
- Try to avoid injection molding as much as possible.
- How will the case be made?
- How do we make this kit as customizable as possible?
- Sourcing parts.
- Designing all-in-one PCB.
- Best thing to use for switches? Experimenting with IR modules but they might be too expensive.