SiniScore 555 Schematic

Above is the schematic of the main portion of SiniScore 555. The reset circuit is just a 555 circuit to debounce a button press. The merger circuit is just a series of 74HC32 (quad or gates) that merges the outputs of all the solenoid trigger circuits down to one signal to feed the first 4017 CLK line.

Almost there...

Just need to install 4 more pop bumpers and 2 stand-up targets.  Routing the slot for the drop target bank was difficult, but it works.

Playfield In Progress shots.

Below are a couple of shots of the Playfield in Progress.  I spent a bunch of time figuring out how I wanted it laid out, and then placed all the pieces approximately where they go. Now I am attaching them. I've got the left side stuff mostly done.

SiniScore 555 is Alive!

New Tools & Solenoid Trigger Circuit

Got some new tools:

Also, worked out the solenoid trigger circuit. This circuit will let me trigger a solenoid with a short burst when a switch is closed, and it will let me signal the score unit with a 5v level signal at the same time. It doesn't matter how long the switch stays closed, there will always only be one short pulse per switch close event. I can use this with the Pop Bumpers, Slingshots, and to reset the drop targets. I can use the same thing minus the TIP120 and high power side for the drop targets, stand up targets, and rollover switches. Needless to say I am going to have a lot of these in the machine (8 with the TIP120s and around 20 with just the score pulse).  Here's my test setup for it (the pcb on the left there is just providing regulated 5v, the 24v supply is off to right out of the picture):

And here is the schematic. It's done with ExpressSCH, so I can share that file if anyone wants it.

Slower progress today...

Since I had to work, I only had a few hours to work on the pinball today. I did some work on figuring out the circuit I need at each solenoid, it's close.  Using a 555 in monostable mode to drive a TIP120 that drives the solenoid. I need this so that I can direct a low power signal to the score circuit at the same time (e.g. when you hit a pop bumper) and also for when I need to drive a solenoid for other reasons like the drop target reset.

Once this circuit is worked out, I need to make a whole bunch of them.

5x 555s, 4x 4017s, 6x 4066s, and 4 Servos = SiniScore 555

Each servo is driven by a 555 circuit, but with a twist. Instead of a POT controlling the servo position, I have 5 resisters that position the servo appropriately. The resisters are "selected" via a 4066 and 4017 circuit. The 4017 outputs drive the 4066 switches to feed power through one of the resisters going into the 555 circuit.
Each 4017 is setup to reset itself on the 5th count, that count also clocks the next 4017. The first 4017's clock is driven from a series of 74HC32 (quad or gates) which has all the switches feeding them.

The 5th 555 circuit is setup as a simple monostable circuit that when triggered goes through a 4066 to reset all of the 4017s. This allows me to reset the score at the start of a new game or at power up.

If I have time this will all go onto a proto board PCB (or maybe a couple). Hopefully, it's okay if some of my circuits are still on breadboards for the 555 contest.

Flippers & Slingshots

Shooter Lane Test

I made a little progress on the play field. There's a shooter lane now, and an arch at the top/back, plus side walls to the play area.

Here's a video of the shooter lane test.

And we have flippers!

 I have started mounting parts to my pinball play field. Below you can see that I have the flippers on there and the in-lane guides. There's also a view of the bottom showing the flipper solenoids and such. Next, I'll be putting the outside walls and the shooter lane wall on, and then the slingshots and ball trough. 

I also have been working on my scoring circuit. This is only 1 stage of it plus the beginning of the second stage. The first small chip is a 555, the next two are 4017s (decade counters), and the last one is a 74HC32 (quad or gate). The switch inputs from the play field will go through the or gates and trigger the clock line of one of the 4017s. Then the output of the 4017 is going through some "glue" then into the 555 which will control a display element. I'll have a 555 and 4017 for each display stage, and as many 74HC32s as I need to get all play field switches connected. Once I have this working as intended, I'll post the schematic.

What am I doing?

What on earth could I be making with this stuff? :)