Pistons stuck

[Rajesh]

Hi i have some issues with pistons getting stuck when trying to retract back to 0.
They work just fine when extending but they keep getting stuck when going back, but somehow its like they just needed to get their position updated because simply placing, removing or even somehow painting block fixes that and gets them going. I'm wondering if someone found a reason for that and most importantly a fix.

[Broken Toy]

This has been an issue for me as well. Not exactly sure why but it seems to happen as my environment and builds become more complex. Though not particularly elegant I do have a work around.

1- Install a controller to manage your piston(s).
2- Place a bearing on one of the surfaces where your piston attaches.
3- Place a block on the bearing. I usually use a screw-head but any block will do.
4- Connect the first controller slot to the bearing and set it to 360 degrees.
5- Connect your pistons to the controller and adjust the length and speed.
6- Connect a trigger (switch, button, sensor) to the controller.

When you activate the trigger, the bearing will spin providing the same effect as striking, painting or placing blocks. As I said, not very elegant but I’ve used it dozens of times and it has worked every time.

Hope that makes sense. Cheers…

[Broken Toy]

Sorry, one small correction. The bearing and block should be attached to the moving portion of the device you're building. Good luck...

[Rajesh]

Originally posted by Broken Toy:

This has been an issue for me as well. Not exactly sure why but it seems to happen as my environment and builds become more complex. Though not particularly elegant I do have a work around.

1- Install a controller to manage your piston(s).
2- Place a bearing on one of the surfaces where your piston attaches.
3- Place a block on the bearing. I usually use a screw-head but any block will do.
4- Connect the first controller slot to the bearing and set it to 360 degrees.
5- Connect your pistons to the controller and adjust the length and speed.
6- Connect a trigger (switch, button, sensor) to the controller.

When you activate the trigger, the bearing will spin providing the same effect as striking, painting or placing blocks. As I said, not very elegant but I’ve used it dozens of times and it has worked every time.

Hope that makes sense. Cheers…

Well it doesn't seem to work, it rotates but has no effect on it. Could you send some screenshot of it or something like that, maybe i need to place it in certain place or something. Anyway thanks for replying

[Broken Toy]

I haven’t tried sharing pics in a discussion before so I hope this works.

Part of the issue may be piston strength. Piston strength is controlled by the piston speed slider so, if you haven’t already, try upgrading your pistons to level 5 and setting the speed to the highest tolerable level. Even after this you may have to add more pistons to ensure you have enough power to move the load. This won’t fix the sticking but will ensure the load doesn’t stall during activation. I see you have a number of hours in game so you’re probably already aware of the piston idiosyncrasies but I thought I should touch on it just in case.

Following are screenshots of one of my problem devices. Note that I use 4 pistons to ensure smooth operation and the, previously discussed, bearing/block/controller setup to negate sticking. You’ll notice I’ve used two bearings on this particular setup. This is not a requirement but rather a way to satisfy my near pathological need for symmetry. 😊

https://images.steamusercontent.com/ugc/13054916993914901/D2B4614189A3616C65E7FC5FF4C84771E0B1AFAE/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false

https://images.steamusercontent.com/ugc/13054916993981544/41A5235E1FC2CF20791DCBAD070BF5FE37FA67A6/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false

https://images.steamusercontent.com/ugc/13054916994050074/1C0662D55278D32DDFABB7B780E0B51A254C9E8B/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false

https://images.steamusercontent.com/ugc/13054916994079308/BB44CA4437314F47765A57106F5DF7B266AF0FB9/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false

Take a peek and let me know if you have any questions. Cheers…

[Rajesh]

Originally posted by Broken Toy:

I haven’t tried sharing pics in a discussion before so I hope this works.

Part of the issue may be piston strength. Piston strength is controlled by the piston speed slider so, if you haven’t already, try upgrading your pistons to level 5 and setting the speed to the highest tolerable level. Even after this you may have to add more pistons to ensure you have enough power to move the load. This won’t fix the sticking but will ensure the load doesn’t stall during activation. I see you have a number of hours in game so you’re probably already aware of the piston idiosyncrasies but I thought I should touch on it just in case.

Following are screenshots of one of my problem devices. Note that I use 4 pistons to ensure smooth operation and the, previously discussed, bearing/block/controller setup to negate sticking. You’ll notice I’ve used two bearings on this particular setup. This is not a requirement but rather a way to satisfy my near pathological need for symmetry. 😊

https://images.steamusercontent.com/ugc/13054916993914901/D2B4614189A3616C65E7FC5FF4C84771E0B1AFAE/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false

https://images.steamusercontent.com/ugc/13054916993981544/41A5235E1FC2CF20791DCBAD070BF5FE37FA67A6/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false

https://images.steamusercontent.com/ugc/13054916994050074/1C0662D55278D32DDFABB7B780E0B51A254C9E8B/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false

https://images.steamusercontent.com/ugc/13054916994079308/BB44CA4437314F47765A57106F5DF7B266AF0FB9/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false

Take a peek and let me know if you have any questions. Cheers…

Well we figured it out, the pistons getting stuck were caused by something like sagging, the whole thing was getting stuck on floor on which it was sliding on, and to counteract we just put more pistons, it may not be ideal but for now it works. Anyway thanks for the tips and i'll sure remember that trick for another time when it might come in handy

[Luigi Benedetti]

MORE PISTONS

[Broken Toy]

My pleasure. Glad you found a solution.