Summary of SCORE BIG AGAINST BOREDOM WITH TABLETOP BOWLING
This article describes a DIY tabletop bowling alley featuring glowing pins with an electronic scoring system. The project uses LEDs and light-dependent resistors to detect knocked-over pins, controlled by an Arduino Uno that tracks scores on an LCD display. The six-foot lane accommodates large ball bearings as bowling balls, offering a fun, barefoot-friendly alternative to traditional bowling alleys.
Parts used in the Tabletop Bowling Alley:
- LEDs
- Light-dependent resistors
- Arduino Uno
- LCD display
- Six-foot lane structure
- Large ball bearings
- Fog machine (optional)
- Blacklights (optional)
Bowling has been around since ancient Egypt and continues to entertain people of all ages, especially once they roll out the fog machine and hit the blacklights. But why pay all that money to don used shoes and drink watered-down beer? Just build a tabletop bowling alley in your spare time and you can bowl barefoot if you want.
Those glowing pins aren’t just for looks — the LEDs underneath them are part of the scoring system. Whenever a pin is knocked out of its countersunk hole, the LED underneath is exposed and shines its light on a corresponding light-dependent resistor positioned overhead. An Arduino Uno keeps track of of the frame, ball number, and score, and displays it on an LCD.
The lane is nearly six feet long, so this is more like medium-format bowling or maybe even skee-bowling. There are probably a number of things one could use for balls, but [lainealison] is using large ball bearings. Roll past the break to see it in action, but don’t go over the line!
Can’t keep your balls out of the gutter? Build a magic ball and make all wishful leaning more meaningful as you steer it down the lane with your body.
Source: SCORE BIG AGAINST BOREDOM WITH TABLETOP BOWLING
- How does the scoring system work?
The scoring system uses LEDs under the pins and light-dependent resistors overhead; when a pin is knocked out, the LED shines on the resistor to register the hit. - What device keeps track of the score?
An Arduino Uno keeps track of the frame, ball number, and score. - Where is the score displayed?
The score is displayed on an LCD connected to the Arduino. - What are the bowling balls made of?
The project uses large ball bearings for the bowling balls. - How long is the bowling lane?
The lane is nearly six feet long. - Can you bowl barefoot on this setup?
Yes, the article states you can bowl barefoot if you want since it is a personal build. - What visual effects are mentioned for the alley?
The article mentions using fog machines and blacklights to enhance the experience. - Is there a specific warning about rolling the ball?
Readers are warned not to go over the line when rolling the ball.
