I use a 2D drafting program primarily. I haven't learned any 3D software well enough as of yet but it's on the to do list. I can do a simple part in the 3D but assemblies are still something I need to figure out how to do.
This is fantastic stuff! .. It is important for the bowling industry to develop a better, more efficient way of pin setting. String pins are not going to save the bowling industry (they suck). In fact, I think string pins are ultimately going to hurt the bowing industry. It is paramount that we develop much more efficient and simplified free fall pin setting machines that require much less maintenance and energy to operate. I look at current pin setter designs and just shake my head at the incredible complexity. Lots of room for simplification and improvements. I have my own idea of potentially using electro magnets, but that would require a modification to pin manufacturing. However, my electro magnet idea would remote about 80% of the moving parts of a current design.
PLCs also allow you to do online edits in most cases, that's not possible with controllers like arduinos since you'd have to redownload the entire program interrupting flow.
My machine can easily be scaled up. The problem is too many people buying bowling lanes today know very little about bowling. They think you install the lanes and print money. Even the string machines need maintenance.
That's a shame you're getting out of the business. I've been trying to design my own mini freefall pinsetter, and your progress videos have been a huge inspiration for me. I've been watching since you were still using the Brunswick A-2 ferris wheel style pin elevators!
I can think of all the bars and bowling alleys I frequented in my youth, most of them having shuffleboard tables (nothing wrong with that). But I would have spent a lot of fun money on one of these!! Now that I'm retired with nothing good to do, just like in my youth (haha), I was even thinking geez, can I get one for the house? I too am sad to know that they are no longer available. For sure though, my top compliments to the creation of the pinsetter. As a kid, my Dad and Grandfather when we were at a bowling alley would often ask and back then anyway, get me (us) a tour of the back where all of the giant mechanical wonders (40 lanes in one case!) were doing their captivating, repetitive, multi-capability work to keep the bowlers happy. The video give a great closeup view of all of the action. Thank you!
I am very sad to learn these are no longer being produced. I have been following since the beginning. Hopefully someone or company will realize how great these machines are and takes over production. By the way, all the best with the scoring system.
i could see these machines ending up a valuable collector pieces down the road. somebody trying to restore a ball bowler in 50 years could be looking at this very video.
I've been following you and your amazing little pinsetters for a couple of years now. A GREAT new video! I hope these great machines are selling well. :)
They were selling well when we were in business. Our problem was and still is, supply issues related to covid. While things have improved it was difficult for us to reliably get off the shelf parts consistently.
Is there any way to buy this program/software? I want to set up my own track, where will I use it, robotic arm to adjust the pins, but I will need the software to use it here
