B&M Launched Coasters...

They'll have one, but not this year ;)

mOOSH *** Edited 1/5/2004 6:49:15 AM UTC by Mamoosh***

I remember about a year or 2 ago B&M was quoted as saying that they were working on a launch for their coasters. I think it was mentioned here on CB.

The launch system on Hulk is easy to safely control compared to flywheel, air, and hydraulic launches.

I'm sure that Hulks launch uses variable speed AC motors using a controler. I've played around with a Allen-Bradley 3 phase AC motor controler with a 1 HP 3 phase AC motor. It has 9 inputs to control the motor. I programed stop, 5 Hz, and 60 Hz. When I entered 5 Hz, the frequeny winds up to 5 Hz as well as the motor turning the respective speed and holds. When I entered 60 Hz, the motor wound up to the respective speed again. Hit stop and the frequency winds down. The rate in which the frequency changes can be adjusted also. On Hulk, I assume that dispatch the PLC turns on the kicker wheels in the station as well as on the lift to the same speed. When the train hits a particular prox on the lift indicating the train is ready to launch, the PLC changes the booster wheels frequency to full speed. When the train clears the launch area, the wheels stop. Simple, works, lasts a long time.

Some of the other launches have limits where the valves/clutch/motors need to shut off immediately or the launch system will suffer damage. This usually means prox after prox at the end of the launch, some redundany on the device used to cut power to the system, and a redundant launch controler.

Well I am sure B&M will build a launched someday but like others have said it has to be reliable and of good quality. B&M sees all the trouble Intamin has been having with their rides and I'm sure they don't want the same. I view it this way! Sure the ride is wonderful and tons of fun but what good is it if it is broken down half the time. Launched rides are just flat out fickel, fun but fickel and at the moment prone to lawsuits! GRIN! Patience my children the great God's B&M will answer your prayers in due time!

THE SCARIEST PART OF THE RIDE IS THE LIFT HILL!

OMG, Wildfire, you're here...

But yeah, I just think that B&M + Launched Coaster just wouldn't mix, ya know? It just doesn't seem... right. You know, Vekoma is associated with Boomerangs/Hang'n'Bangs, Arrow is associated with the 4D, S&S with it's towers, but I just can't see B&M doing a launched coaster.

Next Time, BRING PIE! ...wanker

SteelMonsters said:
The launch system on Hulk is easy to safely control compared to flywheel, air, and hydraulic launches.

Except that you need to convert all of that electricity you'll need into mechanical energy before every launch, and thus need a big array of turbines. Not the most efficient thing I've ever seen.

Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog

Eventually, B&M will be forced to develop something new for their product line. Otherwise, we'll see another case of "Arrow syndrome." A totally saturated market of rides from one company, and nowhere else to build.

I doubt you would see an Arrow syndrome out of B&M. Consider they already have several types: Sitdown, Inverted, Mega, Floorless, Flying, Diving Machine, and Stand-Up. That's a good amount of variety already.

As for a launched B&M, who knows. The two things that drive that issue are a want for it, and for B&M, a reliable way to do it that will not produce any significant downtime.
*** Edited 1/6/2004 6:19:01 PM UTC by Wolfhound***

-Brian

Arrow had a lot of variety as well. Look where they are, or maybe I should say aren't, now. B&M has only been building Mega, Inverted and Flying coasters for quite some time now, and it shouldn't be long before some type of inverted coaster will be at almost every park. That leaves Flying and Mega. I'm not saying this will happen any time soon, but without something new, we won't see much of B&M after they've filled up the market.

They just put in Scream, a floorless. They haven't actually built a hyper in a while.

Hobbes: "What's the point of attaching a number to everything you do?"
Calvin: "If your numbers go up, it means you're having more fun."

-Sean (who would love to see a B&M shuttle coaster someday)

I'm with Sean, I'd love to see them do a invert shuttle for the smaller parks that don't have the room or big bucks for a full scale invert. Or for parks that want to replace their Vekoma POS's.

I realize for the same reasons as above, they don't need to do a shuttle, but it would be cool to see what they could come up with, and riding backwards on a B&M for a change would be sweet!