Posted by L. P. Marken (212.186.255.4) on March 04, 2002 at 08:28:49:
In Reply to: Re: SMOT information posted by Matthias Trevarthan on January 15, 2002 at 09:30:52:
I don't get it.
The SMOT idea looks really good, and some people obviously put lot of work into the ramp etc. So why has noone been able to close the loop? Or have they?
If the SMOT can really achieve several millimeters of lift for 12 mm steel ball, it should be a simple matter to bring the ball back to the front of the ramp. It is, after all, a steel ball. It will roll great distances on a slanted pane of glass, so I don't see how bringing the ball back to the start of the track should be a problem.
Is the ball "dragged" onto the track by the magnets? Or must force be applied to the ball to make it enter the track? Does anyone know?
LPM