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    • Basic Lifting Mechanisms
    • Complex Lifting Mechanisms
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Basic Lifting Mechanisms

The most unique feature of a rolling ball sculpture is that once the balls get to the top of the sculpture, gravity takes over to keep everything in motion. Getting the balls to the top of the sculpture is the job of the lifting Mechanism.  I have incorporated many different and unique lifting mechanisms in my sculptures, each selected based on many different factors.   The basic lifting mechanisms represent the simplest and most common ball-lifting methods.
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The Chain Lift

Standard roller chain components and simple design make the chain lift one of the most economical and robust lifting methods.
The chain lift uses standard roller chain and custom hooks.
Ball spacing is easily determined by the hook spacing.
User-driven interactions are easy to add to the chain lift.
The ball's quick exit helps conserve energy with the chain lift.

 The Curved Chain Lift

This is a chain lift with a curved lifting track. The curve helps the lift conform to a sculpture's shape.
The curved lift helps define the size and shape of a sculpture.
The curved chain lift shares the same advantages of the regular chain lift.
Full constraint is required to keep the balls from falling.
The curved chain lift is easy to add to the extreme edges of a sculpture.

The Screw Lift

Also known as an Archimedes' screw, this lift is an inclined plane wrapped around a column. Balls are pushed slowly up a vertical track.
The simplicity and appealing motion keep the screw lift popular.
Ball spacing is often tight and the rate of release is set by rotation speed.
Spiraling the balls up the lift is a unique feature with appealing results.
The screw lift is easily scaled for any size ball, but the ball material must be hard and slick.

The Belt Lift

The ball is constrained between a moving belt and a vertical track. Friction keeps the ball moving upwards.
The belt lift is kept in constant motion to immediately pick up balls when they arrive.
The exit at the top is fast, helping conserve speed and energy.
The type of ball and the height of lift are limited, since both of these variables effect the grip of the belt.
The belt lift is great where a mid-track lift is required with the ball staying in constant motion.

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Complex Lifting Mechanisms
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Radford, VA 24141
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