Custom Pins - Shooter Lane Insert

[swinks]

A design option for anyone if they are designing a pin / retheme, but could possibly be an option for manufacturers to use as well - remove that wear in the shooter lane

Here is a possible solution for the shooter lane in a custom pin, simply route out a pocket out of the playfield and install a 3D printed shooter lane insert. The insert is 1" wide x 6" long x a fraction over 1/4" thick - with a tapering scallop channel to centre the ball. You can 3D print any colour to suit your theme or simply replace to freshen up the shooter lane.

free download from my thingiverse page
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:608164

or

for those wanting to try it out or for those that don't have a 3D printer you can get it through shapeways.
https://www.shapeways.com/model/2979735/pinball-shooter-lane-insert.html?li=aeTabs

to reduce the printing everything has a 2mm wall and the design is held down with 4 countersunk screws. If you think anything needs to change let me know and I will make the changes.

A cool mod would be a transparent / translucent shooter lane insert with a rgb strip underneath and have a cool lighting effect when the ball is fired.

[pinball god]

hey Jady, you reckon something similar for the inlane rollover lanes where ball drop from ramps would be a go as well. Rather than using cliffy protectors, stuff like these allowed for in new pf designs might get rid of those ugly worn areas.

[swinks]

I have thought about that with a custom pin that I am ever so slowly designing - with considered a thin metal disc with a post that passes through to lock in that sits flush the playfield top but you could go for this sort of thing as well with plastic.

I also am considering a disc recess in the playfield for a special insert that houses a proxy sensor to replace the in-lane switch / and associated slot to get the proxy very close to the ball but on top giving a very smooth and flush finish - reducing maintenance to practically zero once set.

[pinnies4me]

Nice work Swinks - I spent an hour making a shooter lane on a project  a couple of weeks ago - would have gone this route if it had been available - will probably hit you up for one on the next one...