Space Cadet Pinball in Real Life!

Overview

The video documents a project to convert Space Cadet Pinball (a Windows 95/Vista-era pinball game) into a real mechanical pinball machine. The creator emphasizes designing and testing pinball mechanisms that are:

• Faithful to the original game
• 3D-printable
• Driven with microcontroller-based electronics
• Suitable for a smaller studio-sized build

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Design approach / scaling

• The creator starts with a full-size layout concept, but limits the build length to about 1 meter due to space constraints.
• To improve accuracy, they use a higher-resolution playfield source from Full Tilt Pinball:
  • Scale the playfield to a 1 m length
  • Skew the image to correct perspective
  • Scale width until elements (e.g., pop bumpers) match intended proportions
• Estimated overall width: ~560 mm

Measurement methodology

Because the playfield is drawn with perspective, the creator:

• Bases feature positions on the top of elements (more visible/consistent)
• Adjusts later so the ball fits correctly

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Mechanism development (3D-print + sensors + solenoids)

Pop bumpers (large version)

• The original pop bumper contact materials (spring metal + carbon) are difficult to source, so the creator iterates sensor solutions.

Sensor iterations

1. Microswitch-based design

   • Unreliable calibration because the switch release point doesn’t match click timing
   • Sideways lever play affected consistency

2. Hall effect switch

   • Adds a tiny magnet to the bumper post
   • Hall switch triggers only when the magnet aligns
   • Logic is inverted in software
   • Testing issue: the lever sometimes gets stuck
     • Fixes include a reprinted thicker mount and an additional magnet arrangement to increase trigger range

Driver electronics

• Uses custom solenoid driver PCBs to avoid relay complexity and added moving parts
• Boards use a MOSFET to drive solenoids
• Designed to support connecting either:
  • Regular switches, or
  • Hall sensors
• Includes:
  • An indicator light to simplify calibration (sensor adjustment until the light shows correct resting position)
  • Outputs for addressable RGB LEDs to simplify wiring

Lighting

• Uses WS2812B LEDs
• Diffuses light with frosted acrylic cut with a laser (OmTech Turbo 747)

Test findings and next steps

• The pop bumper felt less powerful than expected
• Attempts to improve contact surfaces:
  • Tried smoothing with Formlabs Form 4 resin printing (reduced roughness for smoother ring movement)
• Even with a smoother resin ring, it still didn’t fire the ball far enough
• Likely improvements:
  • Bigger solenoids
  • Tuning the striker ring angle/height

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Pop bumpers (mini / elevated section challenge)

Space Cadet includes three elevated pop bumpers on a raised section. These mini bumpers are smaller, and the ball also must travel from below during a kicker return—especially near the left mini bumper.

Design changes

• Keeps the top ring/body similar, but changes actuation:
  • Uses a threaded-rod approach
  • Threads join into a plate so the ring can be pulled down from below the playfield using a single rod
  • Leaves room to snake the return track between bumpers
• Sensor redesign was necessary because the old below-surface sensor mechanism no longer fits

Ball detection solution

• Builds a pair of PCBs using a pogo-contact spring circuit:
  • When pogo contacts touch, the circuit closes and fires the solenoid
• Notes for improvement:
  • Plans to remake PCBs later because copper tarnish reduces conductivity
  • Works for testing in the meantime

Mini bumper lighting

• Needed a new diffuser strategy because top caps were too shallow:
  • Uses Form 4 printing again with clear V5 resin
  • Adds internal triangle bumps to act as a diffuser

Test result

• The redesigned mini bumpers work way better than expected
• Possibly too powerful for the space (to be evaluated later)

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Drop targets

• Designed to be 3D-printable while using a familiar architecture:
  • Targets printed as side-laid parts for smoother ramp sections
  • Each target drops via a spring
  • A micro switch at the bottom detects activation

Reset mechanism (servo-based)

• Uses hobby servos instead of solenoid-based commercial designs:
  • < $10 hobby servos reset multiple targets
• Mechanical linkage:
  • 4 mm key steel axle
  • Printed arms/spacers pressed onto the axle
  • Bearings support the assembly; servo connects via bent wire

Testing notes

• Tests use a minimal base plate + tabs mounted on a table to roll/test the ball impact
• Test parts reuse “leftover spool ends”
• Minimizes print thickness/infill to reduce waste

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Slingshots

• Suited for 3D printing:
  • Two switches (one on each side of the lever arm)
  • Actuated by the lever connected to a solenoid
• Uses a red resistance band for rubber-band-like behavior
• One printed bracket mounts the solenoid + switches together
• Switches are adjusted so they trigger with minimal ball deflection (just before click)

Electronics and test result

• Reuses the pop bumper driver board
• Testing shows the mechanism is strong enough to propel the ball off the ramp
• Power varies based on where the ball hits

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“Ball delay” / pause before dropping

• Addresses gameplay behavior: the ball pauses 1–2 seconds before dropping from a hole back to the main playfield.

Implementation

• Uses:
  • Solenoid + 3D printed slide to clear the drop path
  • A micro-switch mounted at the end of the ramp triggers ball detection
• Adds programming:
  • 2-second delay after switch activation
• Works successfully in testing

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Flippers (prototype)

• Uses game screenshots to estimate rotation: about 70°
• Flipper build includes:
  • White PLA flipper bodies (manually hollowed to reduce weight)
  • Red TPU rubber bands for grip
  • Printed pivot mount using 608 bearings
  • 4x4 key steel shaft (avoids grub screw alignment issues)
  • Solenoid-driven linkage mounted on the same plate

Prototype testing issue

• The prototype lever length may overload the solenoid:
  • Works for testing, but not powerful enough for real gameplay
• Next iteration: use bigger solenoids

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Product / sponsor integration (electronics + printing)

Sponsor: PCBWay

• Ordering process:
  • Upload Gerber files
  • Choose quantity/color/special features
  • Submit and receive PCBs
• Coupon:
  • Code: PCBWay-CNCDan10
  • Limited coupons available for $10 off orders over $30

Printing hardware: Formlabs Form 4

• Uses different resin tanks by swapping:
  • resin tank / mixer arm
• Post-processing:
  • rinse in isopropyl alcohol
  • then cure in the station
• Form 4 resin printing helps surface smoothness, though it didn’t solve pop bumper power by itself

Additional tool referenced

• OmTech Turbo 747 laser cutter

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Call for collaboration

The creator wants to commission an artist to recreate the game’s graphics for stickers, explicitly stating:

• They do not want to use AI for the artwork.

They request that viewers/artist contacts message him.

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Main speakers / sources

• Primary speaker: The YouTube project creator (narrating the build throughout)
• External sources referenced:
  • Technology Connections (mechanical pinball machine deep dive)
  • Space Cadet Pinball (Windows 95–Vista era)
  • Full Tilt Pinball (higher-resolution playfield imagery)
• Sponsor: PCBWay
• Printing tech referenced: Formlabs Form 4
• Additional tools referenced: OmTech Turbo 747