Tech Talk - What Technology are the new manufacturers using

[AlanJ]

We've seen a few new manufacturers recently, Barrels of Fun, Turner, etc. (I don't even know a complete list)

What tech are they using - is it proprietary or off the shelf, if so what?

 

[russdx1]

i think spike 3 is now a pi compute module on there spike 3 main board?

 

[Mooseman]

Think some use Fast controller

 

[russdx1]

Think some use Fast controller

What does fast use as the brain? Just a mini pc? Or they have there own embedded system?

I like sterns use of the pi compute module, it’s small, powerful, upgradable and gives you all your audio / video / connectivity for free. Good move in my opinion. And pretty cheap for the specs.

 

[Mooseman]

The Neuron Controller is the heart of the FAST Modern Pinball Platform. Designed to work seamlessly with our existing I/O boards and new expansion boards, the Neuron provides integrated machine control, smart power system monitoring, and plenty of expandability to power the world's most demanding pinball projects. Experience its unparalleled performance and reliability, all wrapped in an easy-to-use package, complete with comprehensive documentation and a supportive community, and see why the Neuron is loved by both homebrew and commercial pinball makers around the world!


There own cpu brain I guess

 

[Arv]

The Neuron Controller is the heart of the FAST Modern Pinball Platform. Designed to work seamlessly with our existing I/O boards and new expansion boards, the Neuron provides integrated machine control, smart power system monitoring, and plenty of expandability to power the world's most demanding pinball projects. Experience its unparalleled performance and reliability, all wrapped in an easy-to-use package, complete with comprehensive documentation and a supportive community, and see why the Neuron is loved by both homebrew and commercial pinball makers around the world!


There own cpu brain I guess

Raspberry Pi also it would seem. Although does say optional.

 

[Fubar]

Seems like BoF use FAST and use mostly off-the-shelf stuff.

Couldn't find pics of the backbox for Turner games but Ninja Eclipse has what looks like this huge under-playfield PCB for lamps I assume...

Other manufacturers there's Multimorphic, Dutch, PB although not that new. Spooky keep inventing new driver PCBs does that make them new?

Spike3 uses the CM4.

 

[russdx1]

Yeah looks like Fast controller just uses an external pi / pc as the brains.

That ninja lamp pcb is insane lol, looks like the LEDs are reversed mounted for easyish replacement? Never seen a play field pcb that big. Biggest was the one in MM remake.

 

[AlanJ]

I have another question about mechs, e.g. std mechs like flipper mechs and pop bumper mechs. Do all these manufacturers make their own, or is there a sub-manufacturer somewhere (Chicago??) who makes these for all the different pinball manufacturers? If so anyone know who they are?

 

[ian866]

I suspect it’s Pinball Life but have no clarification on that opinion, they do procure huge amounts of stock when they buy.

 

[Pop Bumper Pete]

I have another question about mechs, e.g. std mechs like flipper mechs and pop bumper mechs. Do all these manufacturers make their own, or is there a sub-manufacturer somewhere (Chicago??) who makes these for all the different pinball manufacturers? If so anyone know who they are?

they are outsourced to a metal fabrication company, these companies have been doing these parts for decades. They will have all the engineering drawings on file.
But minimum order is probably 1000 pieces

 

[Fubar]

That ninja lamp pcb is insane lol, looks like the LEDs are reversed mounted for easyish replacement? Never seen a play field pcb that big. Biggest was the one in MM remake.

It's actually 2 separate boards if you look carefully. Certainly makes for a clean under playfield though, you can see how they were able to keep the price down compared to dune!

 

[russdx1]

It's actually 2 separate boards if you look carefully. Certainly makes for a clean under playfield though, you can see how they were able to keep the price down compared to dune!

Yeah can see it’s x2 but each half is still huge. Iv always found huge pcbs very expensive vs lots of smaller ones so can only assume the costs are saved in the manufacturing process and not needing as many wiring looms and connectors etc..

Does it include switches as well?

Ah looking closer the switch mechs are separate, but are wired into the huge pcb

Third look!! All the coils are wired into it as well, looks amazingly clean. Not a huge nest of wires. I really like this method. I wonder if others will follow? Basically removes the pf wiring loom(s)

 

[andy]

Third look!! All the coils are wired into it as well, looks amazingly clean. Not a huge nest of wires. I really like this method. I wonder if others will follow? Basically removes the pf wiring loom(s)

Yes but….if there’s any ICs on such boards and they go wrong you have a repair issues (esp as they’ll be surface mounted) any repairer would have to have that specific game to be able to test the board, or make a call out.

Even a dud LED is going to be a problem to repair, I cant solder on a new surface mounted LED but I can change a 555 bulb in a socket

I’ve recently had an issue with bespoke boards in my Stern Star Wars, I was lucky that replacement boards were still available (though 1 had to be bought from Germany and the other from America) and the boards (the size of a couple of credit cards) were expensive so imagine what a board the size of half a playfield would cost

 

[russdx1]

Yes but….if there’s any ICs on such boards and they go wrong you have a repair issues (esp as they’ll be surface mounted) any repairer would have to have that specific game to be able to test the board, or make a call out.

Even a dud LED is going to be a problem to repair, I cant solder on a new surface mounted LED but I can change a 555 bulb in a socket

I’ve recently had an issue with bespoke boards in my Stern Star Wars, I was lucky that replacement boards were still available (though 1 had to be bought from Germany and the other from America) and the boards (the size of a couple of credit cards) were expensive so imagine what a board the size of half a playfield would cost

Looks like all the main electronics is on daughter boards which can easily be swapped out. The main pcb is basically just used to route the traces to wire everything together and house the little RGB LEDs which look to have a pretty big footprint so most ppl could de solder / solder one back.

As I say I quite like it. Definitely speed up manufacturing and looks so clean and tidy.

 

[Arv]

If that main PCB goes it's a lot of $$ to get a new one

 

[russdx1]

If that main PCB goes it's a lot of $$ to get a new one

The large ones? Not much to go wrong if it’s just a bunch of traces and connectors and a few RGB LEDs? Anything that can go wrong seems to be on daughter boards.

 

[Arv]

@Mooseman How much was Ade's replacement PCB again for MMr?

 

[russdx1]

@Mooseman How much was Ade's replacement PCB again for MMr?

Difference here is, there are chips everywhere!! (Which can go bad) so whole thing needs swapping out. But on the turner pinball one those pcbs are literally just traces and LEDs nothing else so odds are far lower of replacement. All the stuff that could potentially go bang are in on little daughter boards.

Chris talks about the system in more detail here (Good watch)

Be interesting if stern eventually go in this direction. They would do anything to speed up assembly time (and not have to manufacture all the pf looms). They are halfway there with there node & lamp boards already. Just need to make the node boards format into daughter boards and turn the little separate lamp boards into giant pcbs.

 

[Mooseman]

@Mooseman How much was Ade's replacement PCB again for MMr?

Haven’t a scooby I don’t even remember he needed one tbh.

 

[Mooseman]

I kissed a light socket once, and I woke up in a helicopter.

 

[russdx1]

I kissed a light socket once, and I woke up in a helicopter.

Shocking!!!