Friday, January 29, 2010

Labyrinth Update

Winter break is over and work on The Labyrinth has slowed down, but it has not stopped. I have added 2 more tracks (with 6 unique elements between them) to the machine. The largest and most obvious track is a 8 foot arch bridge which spans the width of my room, crossing over my bed and desk. This track features several elements which I have never even attempted to build before, but it works perfectly.
right end of arch bridge

The second track is a pinball-type element consisting of a 5 foot long sloping pegboard. The ball drops on to the board and gradually works its way through the pegs, exiting in one of 3 slots at the bottom. These 3 slots then lead into 3 different tracks, which all deposit the ball at the bottom of lift #3. The pegboard alone contains 1300 pieces.
Pegboard

Paths exiting pegboard

Friday, January 1, 2010

Labyrinth: Almost There!


I missed my New Years Eve deadline do to piece shortages, but I continue to make progress. Labyrinth now has 14 tracks, 4 lift hills, 4 motors and an uncountable number of pieces. (I still estimate around 20,000. I will do a more accurate estimate later. I have also wrapped the entire structure in Christmas lights for the holiday season.