10 replies to this topic

[tombo12354]

Hey all.

Wanted to share my plan and journey in creating a virtual cabinet using the PinOne system, both to document what I'm doing, but also as a resource for anyone else who is looking into the PinOne system.

For those that don't know, PinOne is an open-source virtual pinball solution based on the ATmega32u4 mcu, which is the same chip used in the Arduino Micro. The PinOne controller combines the ATmega32u4 with an MPU-6050 for an accelerometer, supports up to 48 outputs through a PCA9685, and uses 74HC165 shift registers for 24 inputs. The system can be purchased from Cleveland Software Designs (CSD), either as just the the controller or a number of different boards. Everything comes pre-built and plug-and-play so no soldering is needed.

I'll continue to update this topic as I build out everything. My plan is to connect the system and buttons in a small cabinet prototype using a spare monitor as the playfield to see how everything works, and ultimately move to a full sized cabinet.

[tombo12354]

One of the first things to cover is how the PinOne and its various boards compare to the PinScape setup. From a high-level they're both the same: they have a main controller to be the brain of everything, and expansion boards to add inputs and outputs. But since there are some differences, it's good to know how they align. Below is a table that shows the PinOne boards and the equivalent PinScape boards.


PinOne - > PinScape
------------------------------------------
Control Board - > KL25Z
Main Connection Board - > Main Board/Power Board
Expansion Board - > Power Board
Life-Extended Board - > Chime Board


In addition, both solution used different firmware and configuration tools. The PinOne used the CSD config tool to set things up. However, it supports the same DOF software, so no differences there.

One final thing to note, while CSD sells the PinOne controller and its boards, it also sell PinScape compatible boards that use a KL25Z. However, the PinOne system and the KL25Z-based PinScape system are not compatible, so you cannot mix and match boards meant for either setup. Likewise, the KL25Z system CSD sell is not compatible* with the open-source PinScape boards, just compatible with the PinScape firmware and Software.


*not compatible may not be technically true, as the CSD boards use a KL25Z, and many of the boards for it are mostly breakout boards. So it's possible you could connect the CSD KL25Z system with the PinScape expansion boards, but it'd likely be pretty difficult, and may not be possible at all.

Edited by tombo12354, 01 January 2024 - 08:47 PM.

[tombo12354]

Got the first of the equipment. To start, I got the PinOne Controller and Main Board, plus the breakout board for buttons and flippers. I got the Main Board instead of the mini as I planned to add feedback devices eventually. You can add a high-power board to the mini board to add more outputs, but I choose to go with the main board.

To start, I decided to put everything in a very rough box. Originally I planned to use a cardboard box, but the weight of the Plunger was causing issues so I decided to build a wooden box. I got some cheap plywood and cut it down to make simple 1' by 2' by 6" box.

The sizes where determined by the monitor screen I planned to test everything with, though if I were to do it again I'd probably go with an 8" height to give some more room for the front buttons. Below is a picture of everything wired up. The PinOne and Main Board are in the middle, with the button breakout board near the front, and the flipper breakout boards mounted on the side walls.

 20240102_065302.jpg   281.25KB   38 downloads

One of the reasons I picked the button breakout board was in hopes of making quick disconnect buttons and to space things out. I think that'll work well in a full-sized cabinet, but I'm not sure it added much to this small one.

I also learned that I am not very good at crimping JST connectors, lol. The spade connectors were not bad, but the JST for 2.54mm pitch headers were very small, and even with the right crimping tool, I'd guess I had around a 50% success rate without needing to cut the connector off and try again. But oh well, done now, and hopefully with the breakout boards and the extra cable length they'll be most good for the real cabinet.

[tombo12354]

Got the cabinet up and running, and tested a few games. Everything's working well, I think the Plunger needs some calibration still. Seems to work inconsistently. The CSD tool has a calibration setting, so I'll mess around with that.

A few things I'd still like to tweak. First, I got a service board, so I'd like to make that accessible, lacking a coin door. I think I'm going to have it hang out the back, since the laptop should still overhang it and offer some protection against accidentally bumping. I also want to get the button lights working better; they work fine with the DOF, but since they run off 5V instead of 6.3V, they're a little dim. I've tried two different LEDs to no success, the first just didn't work, and while the second did, the was a lip around the blue that would fit in the buttons. I may have to just accept dim blubs for now.

 20240106_121159.jpg   291.25KB   30 downloads

One other thing worth noting: the PinOne exposes the buttons as a joystick, so you'll need to update Visual Pinball and your front end (in my case PinballY) with which joystick input corresponds to which button. Below is a summary of the main ones.

Left Flipper: Button 3
Left Magna Save: Button 4
Right Flipper: Button 1
Right Magna Save: Button 2
Start: Button 8
Coin: Button 6
Extra Ball: Button 5
Exit: Button 10

[tombo12354]

Been a little while since I provided an update. I was able to get the Plunger working by playing with the calibration some. The configuration tool provides both auto-calibration and manual. The auto has you move the Plunger to its max and min, then it's resting position. This works pretty well, but I found the max setting a little tricky. When I pulled the Plunger to the extreme, it set the max value, but that meant you had to pull to the very max every time to get a full power launch. This was compounded with the inherent inaccuracies of a potentiometer. I found it better to set the "max" to slightly below the actual max to make it a little easier. The manual Plunger config made this easy to tweak.

I think I'm going to make a more form-fitting cabinet next, with an actual backbox. I think this will make it easier to add some feedback devices (I'm planning on Flipper solenoids and a shaker motor) and maybe SSF. Ive got the plywood already, so once the temperature warms up some, I'll get to work in the garage.

I'm finding I like the smaller form-factor more than I would have thought too, so may up sticking with this smaller version longer.

[Phil Boyd]

Looking forward to seeing your updates. I just ordered the PinOne Mini Machine from CSD to use with my desktop and existing Pinball FX software (using just a single monitor for now).

[tombo12354]

Well, the weather hasn't been cooperating with when I had free time, so this weekend I decided to just bundle up and get to work. I don't have the greatest woodworking skills, and lacking a table saw I had to use some other techniques. A little rough, but overall I'm happy with it. I didnt use the best quality plywood, but ultimately I plan to paint it and put on decals, so I think that will help.

 20240217_103755.jpg   344.44KB   33 downloads

I also began the process of moving everything from the old box to the new cabinet. Next steps will be to get a monitor for the backbox, and some feedback devices setup.

 20240218_131445.jpg   271.15KB   30 downloads

[KSJason]

Eager for an update, I am following along and am on the verge of starting my cabinet build.  I am still overwhelmed, but your process is helping me wrap my head around the issues.

[chonk0master]

I'd like to see an update also. My CSD kit just came in and hey from just outside cbus.

[FireKingpin]

I have a small cabinet with a 32 inch monitor. Trying to determine what I should get from CSD. I was thinking of doing the Williams plunger as well as 2.1 SSF and the pin board. Anything else that you recommend?

[tombo12354]

Been a long time since my last update, some small changes since then. I got two solenoids for the flippers, a life-extender, and a power supply. Got all that wired up, and got the rest of the power and grounding in place.

 20240511_130101.jpg   351.1KB   21 downloads

The ground braid was relatively easy to route, the only real difficult part was attaching it to the plunger. The plunger kit from Pin-One uses a non-metalic back, so I had to put the braid behind one of the screws. Tge braid i had tended to pull apart under screws when mounting it to the box, so probably not the best connection, but should work.

With everything wired, starting to get crowded, but I think that's most of what I want to add. I had thought about adding SSF, but I think I'll leave that for if I ever build a bigger cabinet. May add a shaker motor, but next steps are to get the playfield screen mounted and test everything out.