It has never been easier to build a complete Great Ball Contraption (GBC) loop yourself! With over 3200 parts, 450+ pages of building instructions and a footprint of 100 cm (40 inch) by 46 cm (18 inch) and a height of 46 cm (18 inch), this GBC is one of the bigger GBCs we have ever created so far. It is way bigger than the original LEGO model and it features multiple GBC modules which all work together in harmony to make a full loop so the ball flow will never end. This GBC is entirely built using only parts from the LEGO Rough Terrain Crane and can be referred to as model C of the 42082. When building this GBC makes sure you master the GBC building techniques and tricks so that you eventually also can build your own GBCs. The whole machine is powered by one LEGO motor which comes with the LEGO 42082 Set.

Take control in your hands!

Who doesn’t want to become a director of its own Fun Park? Now you can!

The GBC 30 Fun Park features 4 big modules which are of a whole new level of complexity and automation. While building GBC 30 you will learn basic engineering at its best. Think of gearing, forces, mathematics, sturdy constructions, automation, cool mechanism like the ratchet mechanism, synchronized levers and so much more!

Automation as you never seen before!

The Ball Input Tray Module on the left side can be seen as the beginning of the loop. Using a big wheel as a counter weight makes that the GBC Balls are nicely being hold in this tray. You can easily connect the outputs of other GBC Modules to this module. The Full Automatic Elevator Module takes a full load of GBC Balls up in it’s tray and moves it vertically upwards. At the top the Elevator triggers a lever which controls the gearbox reversing the rotation of the drive axle. A delay mechanism makes sure that the tray stays for a little longer at the top making sure the tray gets fully emptied. On the way down the tray triggers the input box which refills the tray again, triggers the gearbox in reverse, activates the delay mechanism and the procedure starts over again.

From the Full Automatic Elevator Module the GBC Balls move forward to the Ferris Wheel Module which is fully synchronized. We took inspiration from a PG5200 design on which we reinvented “The wheel”, improved on it and made sure that everyone can easily build this awesome mechanism themselves. With 8 big carriages this ferris wheel can handle a lot of GBC Balls. At the bottom a Ball Feeder takes up to 6 GBC Balls, moves them to forward and fills the carriages one by one. A perfectly fitted ratchet mechanism pushes the ferris wheel by 1/8th on a revolution. When the carriages are at the top, two arms open the gates of the top carriage and releases the balls onto a slide.

Going straight forward the GBC Balls fall via a guide arm onto the Table Pusher Module. This table has 2 levels. First the balls have to overcome the ledge on the moving platform. After that the balls are being pushed on the big table. The guide arm can position the GBC Balls on the moving platform automatically or manual. By default the guide arm moves back and forward automatically using the internal drive of the GBC. However with a simple lever switch you can disable the drive and control the arm position yourself, making it a fun interaction element.

The table can hold a lot of GBC Balls (100-150) and it takes some time for one pass to pass through this module which is really fun to watch. By placing more obstacles on the table top you can reduce the amount of GBC Balls required to fill the table.

Next the GBC Balls continue to the Sinusoidal Slide Bridge Module which on each revolution takes a couple of GBC Balls and moves them forward on the ridge of the sinusoid. An intriguing position mechanism on the top of the module makes sure that all the strings are being pulled in the correct order and don’t tangled up with each other. The moving axle which pulls all the strings only moves in the x-y plane but is geared in a way that it doesn’t rotate. This module learns you understand the relation between a circular motions and sinusoid. The output of the bridge ends in the input box of the Elevator Module.

Fun Fact

Working on big LEGO sets can be both very easy and very hard. It makes it easy that you have many parts and options. it’s hard because you want to squeeze the maximum potency out of all the parts you get. Designing GBC Modules from existing LEGO Sets is really complex. To build reliable modules, connect them all together in a loop and complete the drive system with correct speeds is of a whole new ingenuity level. GBC 30 – 42082 C Model is no difference in this but we succeeded again.

Important note: The Sinusoidal Slide Bridge Module in the GBC 30 Fun Park requires about 5 meter (196 Inch) kite rope which is NOT included in the LEGO 42082 Set. Kite rope is really thin, flexible and strong and you can easily get it at your local hardware store. We also have Kite Rope available. Get it here!

Work Together

The whole GBC is split into different parts/modules which are assembled together during the build. Ideal for working in groups as each builder can work on a module sub assembly and later click everything together. Because of this construction and flexibility it is also always possible to separate the modules again and make your own unique configuration or use modules as separate machines.

A really cool feature of the GBC 30 Fun Park is his ability to convert with ease into a GBC Layout Module. You can simply rotate the left barrier on the input box so balls can enter the GBC. A split output on the right side of the Table Pusher Module caries the GBC Balls to the next GBC Module. Clean and simple: Convert with ease.

It is possible to move the whole structure at once when you hold it correctly. However, when moving the GBC, we advise to place the GBC on a solid plate or to disassemble the GBC in separate modules again. Footprint GBC 30 Fun Park: 100 cm (40 inch) by 46 cm (18 inch).

We have made it easy to create your own in and output according to the GBC rules. The input box of the Automated Elevator Module can also be used as general input box for the GBC. For the output you can simply rotate the ramp of the Table Pusher Module to the right. In this way you can easily connect this GBC to all our other GBCs to make the loop even bigger. More information in the building instructions.

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