It has never been easier to build a complete Great Ball Contraption (GBC) loop yourself! 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 42129 4x4 Mercedes-Benz Zetros Trial Truck set and can be referred to as Alternate Build of the 42129. When building this GBC it 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 multiple LEGO motors which comes with the LEGO 42129 set and controlled/programmed via the official LEGO Powered Up App or Pybricks.
This GBC is established in collaboration with Jorian Doornenbal who shares the same passion what we have for building great ball contraptions.

It’s alive!

Always dreamt of having your own robotic arm in your control? Now you can! The GBC 57 Robotic Control is the first Great Ball Contraption which featured a full programmable robotic arm to transport GBC Balls. More info coming soon.

Fun Fact

The LEGO 42129 4x4 Mercedes-Benz Zetros Trial Truck set includes multiple motors and a smart hub. So what can we do with that? Checking the inventory of the LEGO set we noticed a few useful parts for making a robotic arm. From there on we started tinkering with different ideas to incorporate this into a GBC module. How cool would it be if you can sort GBC Balls by color using this robot arm? But there is no color sensor included. Luckily LEGO makes a color sensor which we can use for that. It will be an optional part for making the GBC work.

Fun Fact

To make the robot arm rotate smoothly we for sure needed a turntable. However the LEGO 42129 4x4 Mercedes-Benz Zetros Trial Truck set doesn’t include the well known big turntable (part 88738). So after some tinkering we ended up with using the steering wheel hub (part 46490). This gave us 2 advantages. First it adds good support and stability to the robot. Secondly it includes a Planetary Gear Reduction which helps in precise motion control. Although there are also some hurtles to take, this is nothing we can overcome with some extra engineering. All parts used in the robot serve a specific function to make the robotic arm work!

Work Together – Enhance building skills

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 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 57 Robotic Control is its ability to convert with ease into a GBC Layout Module. You can simply add your other GBC Modules to the side and drop the GBC Balls on the input bin of the Double Pump Module. An output on the other side can carry the GBC Balls to the next GBC Module. Simply tilt the return path so that GBC Balls can take another route and enter another GBC. 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. Clean and simple: Convert with ease.

It is possible to move the whole structure at once.
Footprint GBC 57 Robotic Control: 43 cm (17 inch) by 50 cm (20 inch).

Building Instructions Preview

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GBC Funnels

USB Power Box

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