2017 – New Build – The 'Ark Vim' project.

Program of works:
1 – PC build – DONE
2 – Get hardware – DONE
3 – Get software working – DONE
4 – Find an IKEA RAMVIK table (Ark Vim is an anagram of Ramvik)….- DONE
5 – Drive 80 miles to collect as you can not get one closer – DONE
6 – Think and plan on how to install monitors and PC – WIP
7 – Organise some legs to raise the able up about 15cm (which will make the game easier to nudge too) – DONE
8 – Take table apart
9 – Perform major surgery
10 – Put everything together
11 – Decide on sound system – WIP
12 – Tidy up the table where needed (paint or cover edges…  make covers where needed.

Additional things:
1 – Look at loading MAME tables and installing joystick.

SOMEBODY ELSES WORK:

As this is my third build the PC side has gone real well and is perfectly playable using a keyboard.  I doubt I will use proper DOF but I will install a good speaker system and maybe use a couple of solenoids for flipper realism.

Will fit external headphones jack as well as external USB for updates.  Will also think about making a hinged up screen at the back for a larger display for backglass.  The 5 inch screen will sit where a title card will sit on a real pinball game.  I think there could be a way to put a window in and do this with software but I will have a think.   I have the screen and video card to cover all events.

So – will post up WIP pictures.

HERE is another RAMVIK project:

http://www.ikeahackers.net/2014/11/my-ramvik-arcade-table.html

The ORIGINAL RAMVIK PINBALL (uncompleted to my knowledge)

https://ramvikpinball.wordpress.com/

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BorgDog wrote:

Look forward to seeing this come together. Could you fit the 5″ screen next to the pin2dmd up top? Would need to put things off center for it to work probably but would feel more natural i think to look there, and then you could move the playfield screen closer to the front which I think would give you a better view/angle on it. Although i’m sure you thought of all this, but just what popped into my head. oh, and VP has no problem running in windows portrait mode so no need to crick your neck while working on it.. just sayin.

I did try it once in portrait but Pinball X and PBX recorder did not seem to like it.  But saying that it was a while ago on older builds of both.  When the table is complete I can just sit on the left hand side to sort out putting new games in as I have a USB Bluetooth mouse and keyboard if I can not get portrait mode working.

The plan for the 5 inch screen is to emulate an instruction card.  In reality it is only used in a couple of games like Scared stiff for the spider.  I would not be able to see it if it was at the top of the playfield.

There is a chance I could get a 15 inch 4:3 monitor working – it depends on space.  I have to look at so many things within the build of the coffee table.

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Thalamus wrote:

You might go for a “poor mans dof” http://www.vpforums.org/index.php?showtopic=21820&p=364393

Yes – I am aware of this and was considering it !  In my other two cabs DOF never seemed to run right no matter what I did and used so to be honest I get by fine without it.  I have two real pinballs if I want ‘the’ sound.  The VP will mainly be played at late at night – when Mrs D is in bed.  So it will also have a headphone socket for the audio.

Also have to watch out that transducers do not ‘shake’ the table if I go down that route.  I think it will rattle a bit as there is a drawer at either end :)

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, please throw in your views.

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Well viewers – not much has happened since I last posted about this until tonight….  Finally Christmas is out the way with, and my wifes’ 50th is done and dusted.  My ‘real’ Family guy pinball is now all working and is getting played plenty….

I thought tonight about planning the screen layout.  Originally I was going to go for the first layout.  With DMD at bottom of playfield but now I have gone for the DMD at the top of the playfield.  The screen will be angled like a real PF, and the pin2dmd will also continue the same ‘slope’ with maybe a little bit more added on so the player can see it.

Tomorrow the coffee table is going into work, where I will cut the top, cut fan holes and also the flipper and other buttons.

Have decided to go for a 2.1 channel amp running stereo car speakers and a separate sub.  The sub will be at the bottom of the table, and the stereo speakers will be on the side of the table.  I was thinking about putting the stereo speakers underneath as well but I felt that was not natural.  At least this way I should also get a stereo spread.

The mini playfield screen is on the bottom left of the playfield.  I will build this out with some kind of perspex mount.  It is really just there or decoration or when I play SS or T3….

I just think a backbox on a coffee table would look pretty AWFUL to say the least.

It is possible I may change the mini screen to a 7 inch instead of 5 inch.  This takes a normal HDMI cable fed via the DP output on my video card.  I will also put a hidden socket on the table to allow me to plug a normal monitor in should I want a backglass.  I will then just mirror the  two displays.

Over the next few days I intend to crack on with this.  I am busy looking round my home to find the ‘safe places’ I have put all my bits like solid state relay for power, and my supply of 4 inch fans!

Anyhow – its bed time now, so off to the land of nod as I have a busy day at work tomorrow!  Well when I say work……

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Well after having my table in my workshop the last two days – and being too busy to do anything in my 9-5 schedule, I bought it back home.

Explained to the good lady wife about me working in the front room (which is my home workshop/pin room anyway) on a saturday night, she didnt seem to mind… well until I started getting my router out!

So here is a photo how the cab looks tonight.

Two fans drilled in the bottom (120mm) and a larger hole for the sub.  I have upgraded the speakers in my family guy so I will reuse the old sub from that.  The cab also has a 4 inch speaker either side.  They are positioned near the front of the cab.  I know these will stick out a bit but hey…

Also rounded the front panel slightly so its like a real lock down bar.  I will have to seal the wood.

I may get this cabinet sprayed at some point.  For now it will look a bodge until I have decided its a success.

The back drawer will remain so it can open and close.  I will put the amp near that drawer and also some USB ports etc…

Still – its early days so tomorrow morning will be down the local suppliers for some brackets and other wood for struts etc…  Plus I will drill the flipper buttons, start, exit and extra ball button.  Said previously I am not using a plunger as it will stick out!

Long term there will be a 9pin D socket or a joypad so I can put mame games on.

ANYHOW – more reports soon!

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Today has seen a major change of plan!  I have had to ‘do down’ lower into the coffee table, and cut out the previous base so its down into the shelf underneath.

The sides have also been blanked off.  This was necessary to get my computer in with adequate air movement and space for cables etc.  Everything did fit in the top section BUT it would of meant serious routing to get cables into video card and air flow would of been compromised.  So I decided to change the plan a little.

This shot is taken looking down:

The DMD is actually the same angle it would be in a backbox, and the playfield is set lower into the table.

Really happy that I did this now, it took a couple more hours of routing (and more hours of vacuuming!).

I bought a cheap joystick/keyboard encoder off ebay and I have to admit – its a pile of dog crap, so I have just ordered the iPac mini, which is a direct replacement cabling wise.  The problem I have with the cheap encoder is it just wont work with PinballFX2 games as it emulates a joystick.  I can not choose specific keys in PinballFX2 either, as they are expecting you to use an 360 controller.  I know there is probably a software hack to get round this but I am just going to go to the ipac mini as I know this works well.  It does what it says on the box!

So the next jobs:
FIX the playfield screen in properly (it is sat on wood struts at the moment.
Make a bracket for the small ‘back glass’ monitor to sit properly on top of the playfield.
Program the DOF to get the button lights to work as they should.  I have decided not to light the flipper buttons.
Wire solid state relay so everything switches on and off with PC.
Install sub speaker.  Have just ordered upgraded speakers for my Family Guy so I will use the stern sub.  I only have 4 inch speakers on the L and R on the cabinet so I know I will not get the greatest sound.

After all the installation is done all the bezels will be made around the screens.

I am also going to recover the wooden top (the bit under the glass!) as its not in the best condition.  When finally fitting the glass (semi-permanent) I will use a rubber seal around the edges so in case of a spillage that will stop most the carnage.  To be honest – I know its a coffee table but I wont be putting drinks directly on it.  I will put a tray on it first to again minimalise any chance of damage by liquid.  It can never be 100% water tight without using sealant – but all the electronics will be serviceable from under the glass.

On the front of the table is also an external button to turn PC on, as well as a USB port.  I can plug a memory stick in that for updates and also a joypad for MAME games.

Have a lot of finishing off work to do but the table is now at least playable.

More stuff to follow when mini iPac and other bits arrive……

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