Do It Yourself Switch Machines

And save a ton of dough!

Presented by Craig BisgeierMalvern PA RPM 2008

What does a Switch Machine do?Move switch points back and forthHold points in positionAllow operator to change positionSwitch frog electrical polarityWork reliably

Commercial Options - Pros

Commercial Options - ProsPre-engineered, off-the-shelf solutionreadily availableInstall instructionsShared experience of othersNo need to re-invent the wheel

Commercial Options - Cons

Often expensive per unitLimited selection of offeringsOff-the-shelf may not meet your needs

Why make your own?

To save money!Gain control over design, optionsBuild to meet your needsGreat learning experienceIt's fun!

Not covered here:

Electrical / Electronic solutionsNot within reach of most modelers

High quality, safe options already availableAsk after clinic about coming options :)

What is covered here:

Trackside switch machinesUnder-table switch machinesWhat parts make up a machineHow they work togetherDesign a machine by selected criteriaControl options (Manual)

Caboose Ground Throws

Effective option at reasonable priceReliable, easy to installPower switching models much more expensiveLook really bad in photos Photo by Roger P. Hensley

Simplest option - Nails and wireSimply two nails driven into layout next to pointsWire 'hook' that connects to throw barHook goes on either side of nails to hold pointsWire may be guided by staples

Simplest option - Nails and wireLooks pretty bad but really cheapCould power frog if wires hooked up to hook and nailsVery low-tech but it works!

Finger springAction similar to Pecoand Micro-Engineering turnoutsStiff wire in "J" shapeInstalls in hole in roadbed, throw bar Compression on spring wire holds points ot stock railsSpring compresses when moved across centerline

Finger springTricky to install, wear reduces effectivenessDifficult to adjustBend in spring helps but looks really badAlso really cheap, easy to build

Slide Switch SwitchstandFirst I know of in Australia, 1995Tony Koester using this on NKP third subSmall slide switch installs next to pointssmall wire pushrod hooked up from throwbarto switch sliderthrowbar moves with slide switch

Slide Switch SwitchstandSwitch slider disguised by scale switchstand glued to topFrog power controlled by slide switchModerately difficult install, tough to adjust after installLooks really good, operates pretty well

Under Table OptionsAll designed using most of these features:LEVERS2nd-class lever, 1 or more(like a seesaw, fulcrum at or near center, work applied to ends)Allows for small hole in benchwork beneath points

Under Table OptionsTortoise, Blue Point machines use 2nd class leversUseful because fulcrum location helps keep hole in roadbed smallChanging location of fulcrum changes force to distance inversely

Springs - CompressionCompression spring like Mousetrap, ClothespinForce things together or apartOld twin-coil electric machines used compression spring to hold points after throw"Over-Center" type of spring, like finger throw we saw beforeGreat for holding points to stock railsEasy to make yourself, inexpensive, reliable

Springs - Tension Tension springs like bedframe springs, rubber bandsCan be used in many ways for turnout controlWorks with a variety of control methodsString or cable tied to motion arm, pulled on by knob or lever

SpringsCan be used in non-linear solutionsOr used against a pushrod to force return against unconnected deviceTension and compression springs can often be used in similar situationsYou decide which works better for given application

FULCRUMAdjustable fulcrum helps set good tension on points, throw distanceTortoise and Blue Point offer this optionFixed fulcrums work OK, best to discover "Sweet spot" thru experimentation before committing to design

Electrical SwitchOften need method to switch frog polarity with pointsmust be SPDT or DPDTTwo methods - home-built or commercialHome built - any method to transfer power on change of positionwipers, wires - Hump Yard Purveyance had good ideathrow pin wired to frog, wires located to either side powered from bus

Electrical SwitchCommercial switches - many good options, some not so goodSlide Switches - seem like good idea but can be limitingCan restrict movement of motion arm if not carefully designedDetents seem like good idea, but incomplete throwing may cause dead frog

Electrical SwitchLever switches - Mount independent of motion arm but contact it to throwCan mount many places, use in different ways -Side, end, anywhere able to contact moving partsalso problematic installation sometimesCan be rotated for fine adjustment after installFrog always powered, no dead position

PUSHRODS

Connect switch machine to controlling deviceMake from sturdy wooden dowels or wireWhen possible include Z bend to cushion force Support long rods to prevent sagging, bending

CONTROLS

Usually fascia-mount - knobs, handlesFancy or simple, attach with threads, epoxy, etc.Some unusual options - Barrel bolts, armstrong levers

How to design a switch machineCriteria for selecting a design:

On table / Under tableClearance Frog PowerActuationConstruction and MaterialsMountingVersatilityForm follows function - answers to these questions help determine design

1st criteria - Below tableAbove table designs more obvious, fewer choicesSelect basic design of base and 2nd class lever motion arm

2nd criteria - Clearance issuesNo clearance issuesThis design not affected by sight lines, cramped bencheorkGoal is always to design as small as possible, but without issues more vertical design options are open

3rd Criteria - Frog PowerDesign will have to support powering turnout frog electricallycommercial or home-made switch to be integrated

4th Criteria - ActuationPush-pull operation selectedWill require spring to hold points in place to either sideOver-Center compression spring is great choiceInclude method to connect pushrod to motion arm

5th Criteria - Construction and materials

Wood and Wire selectedMetal and Plastic also good options Most modelers more familiar with woodworkingHave basic tools and materials (saws, glue) for working wood

6th Criteria - Mounting

Depends on (sub) roadbed materialsInclude mounting flange with screw hole

7th Criteria - VersatilityCan machine be made to work in more than one way?Use push-pull or return spring actuation?Be mounted vertically or horizontally?Support different methods of powering frog?Allow adjustment before or after install?

Selected PropertiesUnder-table with no clearance issuesMotion arm / throwing pin is 2nd class lever Push-pull operationSwitch to power frogMade from wood and wire componentsMounts vertically to (sub)roadbed

BaseMounting flange has to go on back, or it interferes with armSingle mounting point makes installation, adjustment easierFulcrum for motion arm must be adjustablemake fulcrum from small wire loopdrill several holes in base near top to facilitate adjustment of fulcrum

LeversBlue Point and Tortoise actually use two levers - actual throwing pin and shorter motion arm insideMotion arm will have fulcrum at high endconnection for throwing pin near lower end

LeversConnection for pushrod at lower end and connection point for O-C spring near centerThrowing pin will attach in hole with capture screw, like Tortoise Thread throw pin thru fulcrum loop

Design ProcessProblem - throwing arm mounts too high on base,needs to be recessedRedesign base to allow motion arm to be recessed into itBase can be built up from straight parts or milled with woodworking tools

Design ProcessRecess give us a place to mount switch (lever) on one side,contacting motion arm - spring will ensure good contactSwitch can be mounted either side, versatility plus

Design ProcessO-C spring mounts near bottom edge of base (centered)and on motion arm near end (centered)Farther mounted from fulcrum provides more spring travel, forceMake several loops in spring, more even force for travel distance

Design Complete!Basic design of Blue Point clone is complete!Added versatility -Remount mounting flange, can be used horizontally as wellneed to include extra fulcrum at (sub) roadbed base but will work fine

VersatilityThrow distance, point pressure, force req'dto throw all adjustable by making a few simple design changesYOU have complete control of parametersYOU choose how your machine works!Change size, components, forces for different scales, actuation stylesExperimentation improves design

You take it from hereThis is not necessarily the ideal design may be good for selected criteria, others could be better! Could be tuned for your personal needs, variationsOr a different design altogether

Other options to considerControl stylesDirect connection pushrodfixed to machine, push-pull actionReturn spring on pushrodforces pushrod back towards disconnected deviceTension spring and string or cablePulls on string, connected to lever or knobspring pulls string back when actuator relaxed

Other options to considerStrengthen / weaken force - change fulcrum points of leversInverse proportion -distance moved / force appliedBetter for shorter distance applications

Other options to considerPushrods

Use sturdy wire or dowels for strengthSupport long runs at intervalsKeep direction of motion consistentInclude Z bend to ease forces on machine at end

Other options to considerBellcranks

Used with pushrods to change direction of forceStraight bellcrank reverses directionAngled bellcrank redirects motion to sideFulcrum can be changed to increase / decrease force or travelCan be used to split effort between devices

Other options to considerLinkages - Cables, strings

Small pulleys ideal for changing direction of forceUse block & tackle methods to change force(usually only works for changing long motion to short)Easier to change elevations, reach farther distances

ControlsAll kinds of options available to you

Knobs and leversHump Yard Purveyance Wood balls ClothespinsYou name it

Switch Controls

Switch Controls

Switch Controls

Open Floor

What issues do you have with switch machines?How have you modified or innovated with design or installation of switch machines?What do you need a machine to do that isn’t handled by commercial options?

The End

Contact Information:Website:

www.housatonicrr.comE-mail:

darkterritory@housatonicrr.com

Thank you for attending!