The slots within the triangles are for slingshot mechanisms The lower triangles represent the rubber “rings” that form the bumpers, and the hole positions for their support posts. Dimensions for a set of holes for a pop-bumper are given later. The lower set (circled) are for the pop-bumpers. The top sets of holes and slots are for the guide posts and roll-over switches. Care is needed to ensure that these rear holes do not penetrate the front surface. This view is from the top of the play-field, when mechanisms and electronics are fitted to the rear many more holes are needed and will be positioned when the components are placed in position. The diagram shows the main holes and slots that I drilled and routed through the thickness of the play-field board. The width of the play-field is the same a standard sheet of plywood (in the UK). They are the dimensions that I used for a later machine, “Galapagos”. They are not the ones used for "Alice" but they are very similar. This drawing shows the dimensions that I typically use for a pinball machine. However the bat shaft is connected to the rotating arm by a clamp and as the shaft is smooth the clamping bolt has to be tightened very firmly in order that the bat does not slip out of position when hit it hits the ball. These mechanisms are very reliable and robust and are easy to set up. This electro mechanical arrangement obviates the need for any computer control of this device. The above sequence prevents the coil from overheating and possibly burning out if the flipper button is held closed. This reduces the current through the two coils but holds the mechanism in position until the flipper button is released. Towards the end of its travel a switch is opened which removes the short from the secondary coil. When the flipper button is operated, the primary coil is energised from the 30volt supply and the plunger enters the coil and forcefully rotates the mechanism. The secondary coil of a higher resistance is initially shorted out. The primary winding, being of low resistance and drawing about 2 amps, provides the power for the “bat” to strike the ball hard and send it up the play-field at speed. The solenoid coil contains two windings connected in series. It's available to download now from The animation illustrates how the flipper mechanism operates. Update May 2020: I've recently published a new ebook called Animated Arduino, an interactive ebook which aims to provide a better understanding of some of the concepts that you will encounter whilst you learn to program the Arduino, giving you the confidence to progress in writing more ambitious code for your projects. I hope that, with the information that I am sharing here that you will be inspired to design and build a pinball based on your favourite theme. I describe the pinball mechanisms and how to arrange and mount them on a pinball play field. That machine forms the basis of this instructable. The first machine that I built, featuring Alice in Wonderland, is electromechanical and thus not so complex. A comprehensive e-book showing how to make a solid state machine is available as a download from the website. The last two machines were solid state controlled by Arduinos and having sound, lighting sequences and scoring. I'm a retired engineer and practising artist and I've have built three pinball machines in the last five years and have video clips, showing them being played, on my website.
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