Shooter Plunger for Visual Pinball / PinMame / Future Pinball

thingiverse

Two versions of my plunger/shooter for Visual Pinball / PinMame / Future PinballThis is a simple digital switched plunger which uses the game's inbuilt timing option for the release speed - ie the longer you hold the button back, the stronger/faster the ball release. One version has a printed shaft, the other requires a few additional parts and uses a metal shaft for aesthetics, but is also more durable and reduces the friction between the plunger and cap. The design uses a fairly standard 32mm arcade button - e.g. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006103214540.html as a mount, and adds a carriage for a microswitch which clips in to the base. A hardware variety cupboard knob acts as the plunger handle. The knob I selected has a ~10mm shaft, so the plunger diameter was matched to it.The disc/cap which the plunger passes through is superglued in to place to hold it all together. I did try resusing the clip-in retainer from the original button but this affected the length the plunger could be pulled back. I also tried printing a removable version with the same long-legged retainer clips but the strength just wasn't there. So - the final version was glued and works well. I've included the "fails" for reference. I reused the spring from the original arcade switch after experimenting with a few different options. You wouldn't want to go much stiffer.Metal Shaft versionPrint:"Shooter - Glue-in Cap""Shooter - Metal Shaft option""Shooter - Switch Carriage"Buy:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001696477482.html M6 x 30mm Aluminium threaded rod (10mm outer diameter/6mm thread)https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006118030442.html M4x10-M6x10 M-M Thread adaptorshttps://www.bunnings.com.au/prestige-30mm-brushed-nickel-round-knob_p3962355 (or similar)https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006103214540.html (or similar)Reusing the arcade button spring (stretch if required) thread the 4mm end of the thread adaptors in to the plunger and knob, then place the spring over the plunger and push the shaft through the cap. Screw on the knob and glue the cap in to place. Plastic Shaft versionPrint:"Shooter - Glue-in Cap""Shooter - Shooter - Plunger Plastic shaft version""Shooter - Switch Carriage"Buy:https://www.bunnings.com.au/prestige-30mm-brushed-nickel-round-knob_p3962355 (or similar)https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006103214540.html (or similar)Using the 4mm screw that came with the knob, use a pair of pliers to cut off the head and discard, leaving about 20-25mm of threaded rod. Screw in plunger. Reusing the arcade button spring (stretch if required) place the spring over the plunger and push the shaft through the cap. Screw on the knob and glue the cap in to place. 'Failed' FilesI've included these just for reference. I couldn't get enough strength in the legs so reverted to gluing in the cap, but a version that could be disassembled would be preferable given time. You may have better luck using different materials but both the PLA and resin I used were too brittle.