Summary of How Pinball Machines Work
This article explains the mechanics of modern pinball machines, detailing how electronic and mechanical components work together to create a scoring game. It describes the flippers' role in ball control, the specifications of steel and ceramic balls, and the backbox's function in housing electronics like controller boards, ROM chips, dot-matrix displays, and speakers. The text also highlights the artistic value of the backglass and the massive wiring required to connect all parts.
Parts used in the Pinball Machine:
- Flippers
- Pinball (Steel or Ceramic)
- Drain
- Bumpers
- Ramps
- Targets
- Control Buttons
- Backbox
- Main Controller Board
- ROM Chip
- Wiring
- Dot-Matrix Display Board
- Speaker
- Backglass Art
Start the Ball Rolling
When you first approach a modern pinball machine, you are met with an intricate weaving of electronic and mechanical parts, all designed to create a game in which you are challenged to score points without losing the ball or tilting the game.
The main components of the game are the flippers and the pinball. The flippers are usually located at the bottom of the playfield, directly above the drain. One purpose of the flippers is to keep the pinball out of the drain. The other purpose is to propel the ball up the table toward the bumpers and ramps in order to score points — occasionally, extra flippers are placed farther up on the table for this purpose. The flippers are controlled with two buttons, one on either side of the machine, about an inch below the table’s top glass. The left button controls any and all flippers on the left side of the table, and the right button controls the ones on the right side.
A pinball is a 1 1/16 inch diameter (about 3 cm) steel sphere that weighs 2.8 ounces (80 g). On a normal (unwaxed) table, the ball can reach speeds of up to 90 miles per hour (145 kph). With this traditional steel pinball, the ball’s magnetic properties sometimes come into play, as some machines use magnets to trap the ball in certain places on the playfield. In a few machines, a ceramic pinball called a powerball is used. This ball weighs only 2.28 ounces (65 g), so it moves faster around the table and is immune to the magnets used on some games.
The pinball flies around the table, hitting bumpers and targets to score points — at least that’s what you want to happen. Otherwise, the ball falls down the drain and you move on to your next ball. You only get three. When your third ball goes down the drain, your game is over, unless you’ve played well enough to score a replay, or been lucky enough to get a match. We’ll learn about these special circumstances later. First, let’s look at how the pinball machine is put together.
The Backbox
The backbox portion of the table serves two purposes: to hold the main electronics of the game and to attract players with a decorative piece of art located on the backglass. The electromechanical bumpers and flippers found on the table are all tied into the main controller board located behind the backglass. Located on this board, like on a computer motherboard, is a ROM chip that contains all the information needed to play the game.
The wiring that runs from the controller board to the rest of the machine is massive, usually consisting of over a half-mile (0.8 km) of wire. These wires carry commands back and forth between the main board and the flippers, bumpers, targets and ramps.
There are usually two other pieces of electronics contained in the backbox. A dot-matrix display board, usually either 128×32 or 192×64 pixels in dimension, is located at the base of the backglass. This display is used to relay information to the player, such as the score and hints about how to increase the score and possibly get a free game. Also, since the early 1990s, a speaker has been located on either side of the dot-matrix display. Pinball sounds are now digital and have grown to include full musical scores to accompany game play.
The backbox also has a second purpose: to attract players. The backglass art is carefully crafted to draw the player to a certain machine over any other in the arcade. Usually done by a professional artist, some original backglass paintings have been sold to collectors for thousands of dollars. Along with the art, the dot-matrix display is also used to attract players. Elaborate animations are created to run on the display in conjunction with the theme of the machine.
For more detail: How Pinball Machines Work
- How are flippers controlled?
Flippers are controlled with two buttons located on either side of the machine about an inch below the table's top glass. - What is the diameter of a standard pinball?
A pinball has a diameter of 1 1/16 inch which is about 3 cm. - Can magnets affect the movement of a pinball?
Yes, some machines use magnets to trap traditional steel balls because of their magnetic properties. - Why might a player choose a ceramic powerball?
A ceramic powerball moves faster and is immune to the magnets used on some games. - How many balls does a player get per game?
You only get three balls before the game ends unless you score a replay or get a match. - What is the purpose of the backbox?
The backbox holds the main electronics and attracts players with decorative art on the backglass. - Where is the main controller board located?
The main controller board is located behind the backglass. - What information does the dot-matrix display provide?
The display relays information such as the score and hints on how to increase the score or get a free game. - When did speakers start appearing on pinball machines?
Speakers have been located on either side of the dot-matrix display since the early 1990s. - Does the wiring in a pinball machine cover a long distance?
Yes, the wiring usually consists of over a half-mile of wire connecting the board to various parts.
