This DIY Jurassic Park pinball machine is a T-Rexcellent use of Arduino

Pinball machines are prime examples of the dizzying heights achieved by engineers within the electromechanical period earlier than digital electronics got here alongside. However whereas these traditional pinball machines are extraordinarily spectacular from an engineering standpoint, they required an immense quantity of experience and had been due to this fact unapproachable to most. By using trendy digital parts like Arduino growth boards, Barjo was in a position to assemble this wonderful Jurassic Park-themed pinball machine.

From a consumer perspective, this appears and operates so much like a traditional pinball machine. However as an alternative of counting on advanced mechanical linkages and huge arrays of electrical switches, it takes benefit of as we speak’s microcontrollers and sensors. The desk is usually wooden and Barjo 3D-printed a bunch of customized components, such because the paddles, pathways for the ball, and enclosures for the digital parts. 

A number of the components, just like the spring-loaded ball launcher, are normal off-the-shelf pinball parts which might be accessible via retailers that promote refurbishment components. However most are customized and work utilizing digital circuitry. The digital parts function underneath the management of an Arduino Nano and an Arduino Mega 2560. The Nano is tasked with the flippers, whereas the Mega handles the shows, sensors, and solenoids.

There are a number of sensors on the desk, akin to infrared break beam sensors to detect the passing ball. These can set off solenoids to open up gates to particular pathways, just like the T-Rex paddock that lets the participant rack up extra factors. These factors, and a few standing info, present up on an eight-digit seven-segment show. And, after all, there are many flashing lights to create the best pinball expertise.