SMOT with return ramp - no need to "close the loop"

[Steven Dufresne]

I tried linking a bunch of them together a long time ago:
http://rimstar.org/sdenergy/smot/smotmk1/smotmk1.htm
But I have to agree with robbie47. When you position the ball at
the beginning it is like you are compressing the ball against a
spring and when you release the ball, the spring decompresses,
giving the ball a push. When the energy of that push is exhausted
in losses, the ball stops. The spring in this case is the magnets'
pull on the ball while you hold it at the starting position. When you
release the ball that potential energy is turned into kinetic energy
which eventually exhausts itself.
-Steve
http://rimstar.org  http://wsminfo.org

[vikingdread]

I tried linking a bunch of them together a long time ago:
http://rimstar.org/sdenergy/smot/smotmk1/smotmk1.htm
http://rimstar.org  http://wsminfo.org

Hi Steven,

Thanks for the very complete answer. May I ask where you purchased your steel balls and magnets?

[Steven Dufresne]

Thanks for the very complete answer. May I ask where you purchased your steel balls and magnets?

Hi vikingdread,
They were from a local industrial supply store that sells ball bearings and other types of bearings. Look up bearing suppliers in your local yellow pages. Failing that, try bearings in ebay or google.
-Steve
http://rimstar.org   http://wsminfo.org

[onthecuttingedge2005]

how about something like this.

the sensor detects the ball at the end of the magnetic array and turns on the solenoid coil and the ball is sensed on the output side of the solenoid coil it then turns off to release the ball through the track.

Jerry