Guru
Joined: 05/03/2018
Location: NetherlandsPosts: 4809
| Posted: 02:00am 12 Mar 2025 |
Hi BigMik,
I've given it a thought as well.
1/ The top section could be all passive. For every pixel a 3mm round permanent magnet.
The bottom section has (for each digit segment) a rotating gutter, that holds the balls up (so they stick to the magnet) or scrapes the balls from the magnetic surface, and keeps them in the bottom section.
2/ The top section could have a system as in 1, that brings the 3mm magnets to the surface of the top section - or - pulls them away from the surface (so the balls don't stick). This could be based on small RC servo's, each driving a digit segment worth of magnets (28 servo's...that uses power). Then the bottom could be all passive.
But yes, they could all be electromagnets counteracting permanent magnets (so you only need short -pulse when to drop a ball, +pulse when to attract a ball).
Volhout