The Aussie Pinball Arcade
Aussie Pinball Forums => Member Services => Sales and Services => Swinks - Pingineering => Topic started by: swinks on October 17, 2013, 01:03:02 PM
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On working on the Star Trek Asteroid mod I was thinking what is a neat way to restrain the wires that come out from the light fixture down the post and to where ever it goes.
I wanted to avoid cable ties as yes it is the industry standard but it just lacks a little class. Therefore I had an idea of a slide on clamp that fits the hex post profile so it does not spin which means you will have to do some partial dis-assembly and re-assembly. But what you get is a permanent colour co-ordinated post clamp that allows you to clip in wires and also remove = meaning no more cable ties. The cable space allows for 1 or 2 x 2.4mm dia wires and I can make these in black, grey, silver, white, semi transparent white etc if you want to get colour coordinated with you machine - I think silver will blend in to the hex post the best. I know alot of machines have the hex post and in some spots wires run up the post and of those Stern machines have alot of spotlights mounted off the slings right in your visual zone and the cable ties just look a little unsightly.
Check out the images below of where it goes and how the V1's turned out. V1's are functional but need a fraction bit of fine tuning to tidy it up looks wise (round off the edges etc). Yes the same test fluro yellow but just got some grey filament this morning so will do a V2 later.
I have also opened a shop on Shapeways Shop where you can select from many materials and colours so prices are from $2.40 through to $30 each (polished brass) but you do pay for it and freight is a little tough on the Aussies.
http://www.shapeways.com/shops/Dutch-Orange
But for the Aussies I can do a deal of 10 to your door for possibly around $30.
I am interested to hear peoples thoughts if they would use them and what colour would be there preference and go from there.
Cheers
Jady
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Great idea Jady. I can see these as being one of those, "why didn't I think of that" items.
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They look good. I'm guessing something like Silver to match the hardware they are attached to will be popular.
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I loaded up the grey PLA which is a little dearer because it is from a different company but boy what difference in quality - loving the printer....
ok silver won't be in the country for 2 weeks so it will be a little while on those but the dark grey does look good. I made some adjustments - rounding edges and now 6mm in height as opposed to 5mm due to the new rounded edges and fits great. It is designed for a hex post that is 7.2mm across the flats which seems to be pretty common with the Bally, WMS and Stern hexagonal posts. The material has a little flex in it to squeeze a wire in without damage and holds it's position.
here is the update of the design and assembly, with then some photos to follow.
as for the price, I am making a small run now to send out as samples for a few people and then host a little comp later tonight for 2 people to win some to try and report back. After I run this batch of this design Version 2's I will have a better idea of price and let you guys know.
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some photos of version 2's, almost like lego
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It is designed for a hex post that is 7.2mm across the flats which seems to be pretty common with the Bally, WMS and Stern hexagonal posts.
I made a mistake measures 6.2mm across the flats or a fraction under 1/4".
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Very nice, Jady. Sometimes it is the finer details that make all the difference.
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Looking forward to seeing silver! Great little idea Jady! ^^^
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There brilliant Jady you should sell heap of them. Let me know when your ready to sell ill definately buy a few
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Compared with cable ties I'd say -
Eco friendly in that they are reusable over and over again.
Quick and easy to install and/or remove
Look professional
I am not sure if there is a need for this idea on other machines but would it be possible to make another version that basically clips onto the edge of a plastic or slides over the edge of a plastic and has the wire holder underneath or alongside it for applications where there are no posts to tidy the wires up with? Being plastic, it shouldn't scratch the crap out of the plastic artwork and again can be reused and removed or moved quickly and easily.
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Update - need some help so I have got some give aways for your assistance.
What I need - measure check across the flats of a hex post just to make sure they did not change over time.
Giveaway Rules
- take a measurement of the hex post across the flats (not diagonal points) of a Stern (Slingshot), Bally and WMS and post the dimension
- post a pic of the Stern Slingshot area of Bally / WMS that you will use this - ensure this is the area that you measured
What do you get
- 4 of these cable restraints sent in the mail to you tomorrow at no cost and a big thanks for helping this creation develop and a discount from the first selling batch.
3 Winners
1 for Stern
1 fot Bally
1 for WMS
and if anyone posted really close in time to another of the same brand (say with in 10 minutes), I will look after you as well.
Thanks in advance
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Umm not really that surprising, measured Tron (stern) and Revenge from Mars (bally) and both were exactly 6.2mm
My BSD (williams) also has 6.2 mm posts though no lights on them so little use on that machine..
dirty
(http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b607/joele77/PA170012_zpsbac79c77.jpg)
(http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b607/joele77/PA170011_zpse37f39db.jpg)
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Awesome idea mate, they look very professional. While i would love a toy like your printer, not sure i have the creativity to make and draw this sort of stuff... Top effort.
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thanks for all the positive comments, much appreciated.
Thanks for the measure up Joele, much appreciated so a set of 4 coming to you - can you pm your address please and will mail tomorrow.
Cheers
Jady
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2 more sets available before lunch and then I will send all the packages out.
I should correct you only have to document and photograph one machine not multiple like joele in his generous efforts.
I have posts from a torn down whirlwind playfield and measured my creature and they are both 6.2mm.
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Excellent idea Jady . As others have said way, way better than cable ties ^^^ #*#
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thanks Joele for the photos and dimensions as well as a few others that have helped me along the way behind the scenes.
Samples going out to the following guys
joele, ddstoys, pinball god, pintoxinated, greg, robm, pinnies4me, gorgar1
I have sent out 44 samples so some of you will get varied quantites as I seeing how much postage is for 4,6,8 and 10 items and you guys have helped me behind the scenes so thank you, and also to help me finalise total postage costs variances.
Also for those that left positive feedback up to this point that aren't getting any this time, when these become available for purchase I will drop a couple extra in for free if you place an order, just for appreciation in your assistance.
Thanks everyone and please stay turned to see people's constructive criticism and any possible photos.
Cheers
Jady
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Thanks mate, I'll be in to support the pinengineering cause. Sounds like a great enterprise and good to see some creativity and ingenuity to improve upon conventional ways of doing things. Especially in this instance where the alternative, you must admit, while being effective does look pretty lame in the scheme of things. Cable ties are best under a Pf in my opinion. ^^^
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Great stuff Swinks. ^^^ @@*
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Great stuff Jady checkout how many cable ties stern use so there's a market drop Gary an email :-)
Below was posted on pinside I copy and pasted it :/)
Some general info:
There are about 3500 parts in a single pinball machine.
There are about 1200 screws, nuts and washers in a game.
There are approximately 115 lights in a game.
There can be up to 72 switches in a game.
There can be up to 24 coils and 8 flash lamps in a game.
There is about 1/2 mile of wire in a pinball machine.
There are approximately 100 connectors in a game.
There are approximately 357 tie wraps in a game.
There are approximately 88 terminals in a game.
Stern use about 6 million cable ties in one year of production.
There are about 33 assemblies in a game (e.g. Flippers, slingshots, bumpers, etc.)
The Stern factory is in a single 40,000 square foot building. Typical design time for a game is 6 to 8 months.
Data East Pinball was incorporated in November 1986.
Sega bought Data East Pinball in 1994.
Gary Stern bought Sega Pinball in 1999.
(Above info from Stern Pinball 2013 Tour Information sheet)
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A am going to get some of these
looking at your original photo gave me an idea
how about a spot light that does not look like socket with a cheep dish on one end and leads coming out the other?
maybe a cover that looks like movie style spot light that hides the back of the socket
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sounds good pete, post a pic of what you are thinking and will put it on the list to work on.
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Thanks Swinks for the proto cable restraints. I fitted one to my AC/Dc machine. Literally took all of about 30secs to fit. As you can see in the pics, these restraints are big enough to hold four wires. If not for looks alone, these restraints are going to make things so much quicker and easier when it comes time to remove the ramp for cleaning or removing the flasher cover down the track. No cable tie to cut off and then replace with another, just pull the wires out of their restraint and away you go.
Something so simple but very effective.
Great idea Swinks. I am sure these will prove popular and I dare say may be available in various colours to suit any machines.
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Thanks Blair ^^^
Question for you and others, was the gap not too big for the wires to possibly slip out as I did design to suite a bulb holder that had 2 wires already fitted that had 2 slightly heavier gauge wires neatly.
I can close the gap a little if people feel it is needed as don't want to do something that defeats the purpose.
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Got mine today to cheers Jady what an awesome product and very simple to fit :-) you can fit them then just slide them up and down the pole and leave them at what ever height suits your tastes.
I reckon the gap for the wires needs to be smaller mate as the wires may slip out :-) but its not a huge issue.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/22/a3yne4u7.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/22/7ejyry7a.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/22/me9uzedy.jpg)
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Mate I don't think I would stress about the gap being any bigger or smaller. You can always twist the wires around once or twice which would make it harder for them to fall out. You could have 2 designs to suit different gauge wires but honestly I don't think it would be worth the hassle and confusion about which size to get. One size fits all is probably the way to go. Get the wires sitting within the restraint neatly and they shouldn't come out.
I will have a look at my other machines and see where else I can fit any.
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thanks for that guys and I think I have a solution.
Cable Restraint Vertical - V3
designed to specifically suit 2 wires up to 2.2mm in dia, but can be used for up to 4 smaller wires
Cable Restraint Sloped - V4
designed to specifically suit 2-4 wires up to 1-1.2mm in dia, may pinch the wires up to 2.2mm in dia.
Note: the reason for the slope is that it will be less likely for any wires to rattle out and the gap is 0.3mm smaller in width so better suited for those thinner wires, and the contained area for the wires is exactly the same.
Let me know your thoughts on looks.
I will print some of each in dark grey and white tonight and post here.
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I like the idea of V4.
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Swinks, have you patented these? Might be something to consider.
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Swinks, have you patented these? Might be something to consider.
Nah, I watched a mate do that years ago and it cost him a bomb for a patent for Aus, Euro and USA, I am better off just trying to sell a few and just enjoy the experience - at least no one can patent it now that it's out in the public.
Not that I am cocky but sure if a company likes the idea they will get them made by the bucket load..... what can you do....
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Mine arrived today and as previously said they are easy to install and look great.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/22/urama9uq.jpg)
A smaller wire option might be a good idea mine don't fall out but with enough vibration they might.
I'd look into patenting these mate there brilliant
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ok, made a few more and these do the trick for 4 thinner wires, 2-3 medium wires and 2 heavier gauge wires = one universal hex cable restraint for everyone if you guys like the item with the angular slot.
I will work out a price and see if anyone wants to buy them now ...... !@)
Should add I can make the following colours at this very moment if anyone is considering ordering any:
- dark blue
- dark grey
- orange
- white
and silver (light greyish) will be in, in 2 weeks time.
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I forgot to mention that this stuff is bloody strong. I initially thought that I would be able to push them on but no chance, you have to remove the screw at the top of the post and slide the restraint over the post. The plastic is very rigid and will last a lifetime. I would honestly recommend them to anyone who is particular about their machines.
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Looking good Jady your doing a great job :-) and as Blair said there tough as nails.
Peter
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Yes they are rock solid I still can't wrap my head around how these printers work AMAZING
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Got mine thanks mate, and in the test phase re vibration. Now that they're available I'll check out my games and see where they are needed
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Jady, Got mine in the mail today, they look great. As mentioned, i will have to find a game with hex posts in the resto queue as none of my working ones have them with wires at the moment
Thanks again
Rob
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production has started and these will be available to order as of tonight - full details to follow tonight, just working on launch info now for AP and Pinside.
There will be the vertical version for the 2 thicker gauge wire and sloped entry version for 1-4 thin gauge wires.
Cost will be:
$2.50 each, sold in lots of 2
2 = $5
4 = $10
6 = $15
8 = $20
10 = $25 but the 11th thrown in free (effectively a 10% discount)
for every 10 there will be a extra so 20 units you get 2 for free and so on.
postage and handling will be $1.35 to anywhere in Aus for 2 units right up to 40 units.
send me a PM if you would like to purchase any.
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they are a sweet fit
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Yep, very effective on that taller post on Spidey.
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Very neat solution, before and after........
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They do look good on greg's spidey
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Finally finished my RFM playfield and put them on... Very nice solution, I like you can just un-clip the wires..
(http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b607/joele77/lightpost_zpsb1711492.jpg)