Pinball Machine Mechanics
A pinball machine is a coin-operated game where the ball flies around the glass-topped playing field, hitting bumpers and targets for points. The game is a complex and challenging one that requires skill to master.
Each modern pinball machine features a large ‘backglass’ with colorful graphics related to the game’s theme and design. Some backglasses are of fine illustration or even fine art quality.
Mechanics
The mechanics of a pinball machine include mechanical, electrical and computer components. A game’s instructions are displayed on a screen in the cabinet, while mechanical devices control the ball’s movements on the playfield. Most modern machines use microprocessors and dot-matrix displays to manage scoring and other features.
Bumpers send the ball back frantically, often in brutal variations of rhythm and chaotic trajectories. They are the quintessential feature of most pinball games. They are typically arranged in triangles above the main flippers and can be of different shapes, sizes and numbers.
Solenoids (also known as coils) are found in all modern pinball machines. They are controlled by electromagnetism and can move a metal object called a plunger when activated. These solenoids control pop bumpers, kickers and drop target resets, among many other features. Early games used full solenoid current passing through trigger switches, which caused arcing and switch failure. More recently, power transistors have replaced the older coils to reduce switch voltage and current and extend switch life. This also makes for more flexibility in game design.
Design
Pinball is a game with many moving parts and can be very dangerous. For this reason, it was banned in New York City pinball machine for a time. Despite this, it is still a popular game that teaches students many science and engineering principles such as gravity, potential and kinetic energy, inclined planes, and probability.
The modern pinball machine consists of two major parts, the ’cabinet’ and the ’head’. The cabinet, also known as a ‘headbox’ or a ’lightbox’, contains the mechanical and electrical components of the game. Its front side is usually illustrated with stylized graphics that are related to the game theme and often approaches fine art quality.
Electrical switches embedded in the playfield detect the ball’s contact with scoring elements and increment the player’s score. These switches were traditionally electromechanical and operated by full solenoid current which caused arcing and quick contact wear, but as microcontroller technology evolved, switch contacts were replaced by power transistors under software control. This reduced switching current, extended switch life, and improved game design. Stationary targets and ramps also increase the score by adding points when the ball hits them. The score is displayed on an electronic segmented or dot-matrix display (DMD).
Electronics
A pinball machine is composed of mechanical and electrical parts. coin operated claw machine Its front panel displays the game instructions and features a screen and speakers. Its playfield is covered by a backglass, which is protected by glass and often has a colorful design.
The early machines did not use flippers and the ball simply moved down the playing field guided by static nails (or “pins”) to one of several scoring areas. After the 1950s, flippers were introduced to increase the speed and accuracy of the game. Bumpers are also common in pinball machines and help to boost a player’s score by bouncing the ball away from stationary targets.
The electromechanical relays that controlled the playfield in early games were replaced by circuit boards and microprocessors in the 1970s. The solenoids were switched by power transistors under software control to lower switch voltage and current, vastly extend switch service life, and improve the flexibility of the system. The sensors were converted to TTL-level inputs, and sometimes extra signal conditioning was needed to adapt custom sensors such as eddy switches.
Rules
The rules of a pinball machine vary by game, but some common principles apply to all. The ball must be saved by using both flippers. The trick is to activate the flippers slowly, so you can control them better. If the ball is falling down the center, quickly alternate between the flippers to slow it down. This technique requires practice, but it will help you save balls and get higher scores.
In recent times, many pinball machines have been designed with advanced features and scoring objectives that require a measure of skill to achieve. These features include multiple play modes and multi-level playfields. Many of these games also have a rudimentary story or progression. These features require a certain sequence of shots to trigger, and can greatly increase the score.
A placard is usually found in a lower corner of the playfield, and while it may show pricing information, it can also provide critical details about special scoring techniques. For example, it will typically describe how to shoot right ramp and left drop targets simultaneously to light an extra-ball rollover.
Cost
Pinball is a game in which players shoot a ball into a playfield, hitting targets and other features to score points. These elements often include bumpers, ramps, and lights, but the exact design depends on the manufacturer and type of machine. The objective is to score as many points as possible before the ball loses its grip on the playfield and falls off. The game has been played for centuries and has been considered both a gambling and a skill-based arcade game. In the past, many machines allowed players to accumulate large numbers of free games, which could then be cashed out for money with the location owner.
By the 1990s, however, sales of pinball machines had slowed and several manufacturers closed. This decline was partially due to the success of video games, which took up less space and required less maintenance than traditional pinball.
Despite these setbacks, pinball has made a comeback. In 2013, Jersey Jack Pinball released the Wizard of Oz, which was the first US pinball machine with an LCD screen in the backbox. The display was used to show scores, mini-games, and full-color videos.
