It has never been easier to build a complete Great Ball Contraption (GBC) loop yourself! GBC 16 is entirely built using only parts from the LEGO Technic Crawler Crane set and uses 90% of all the pieces that come with it. Also to be referred to as model C of the 42042 Crawler Crane. This module makes sure you master the GBC building techniques and tricks so that you eventually also can build your own GBC. The whole machine is powered by one LEGO motor which comes with the LEGO 42042 Set.
Upside down
Thinking out of the box, the GBC 16 Inverse Belt Lift uses the Belt in a completely different way than expected. Besides it is much cooler to look at, it also has some quite unique mechanisms in it. The timing of entering balls into the cabins comes quite precise but when you have the timing just correctly everything works like a charm. If you want you can add more cabins onto the belt to increase the ball rate of the module. This module sure gets you started in building your own cool GBC later on yourself. Batteries can easily be replaced.
Fun Fact
We wanted to see what all is possible with the conveyor belt which is included in this LEGO set. While playing around with the belt we noticed that you could bend the belt until a certain amount before it would break down. While we think the idea is awesome, how to make the rigid structure for it to hold it all together? Of course we dint want to stretch the LEGO pieces to much so it would damage it. But at the same time it should also not be too loose, or the complete mechanisms wouldn’t work smoothly anymore. After many design iterations we finally set on the final design which is used now in the GBC 16 Inverse Belt Lift.
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- LEGO 42042 Crawler Crane set
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- GBC 16 – Inverse Belt Lift Module
Building Instructions Preview
Preview
Try before you buy. We completely understand. See the building instructions previews on the left or try one of our free building instructions.
Upgrade your GBC 16 Inverse Belt Lift
In the building instructions is explained how to easily upgrade the GBC 16 Inverse Belt Lift with various parts.
USB Power Box
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jmross2013 –
Very easy and good build.
James –
GBC 16 is the 4th PV-Productions’ GBC model I have purchased and built. They have all been challenging to various degrees but always enjoyable and fun to assemble.
It ranks at the top for me. It has passed the Extended Belt Lift Module as my fave. The instructions are well sequenced and there is the right mixture of challenging, educational, inspiring and fun sections.
The gears and ball-feeding section taught more of what I need to know and understand about mechanics.
I found the building of the tall structure the most challenging due to the intricacies of the connecting beams amongst themselves and with attaching to the lower section for the needed stability.
Assembling the belt and ball cages has led me to think of many other designs that could take advantage of this technique. It still amazes me to watch it receive a ball and eventually be upside down before releasing it for its return back to the loading position.
The fun part of building a GBC, and possibly the most rewarding for me, is setting the timing for it to operate flawlessly… and this is where this model shines. It’s by far the easiest timing I’ve encountered in the 10-12 GBCs I’ve built. There is an inset on page 5 with 6 easy-to-follow steps for setting the timing. One time through and voila, I had it running smoothly.
I easily give GBC 16 a 4.5 out of 5 rating and label it as a must buy and makes me yearn for 17!
Keep on bricking!!
Michael Lam –
Cool , must buy it .