What Do You Call That?
As a pinball player, you probably never looked at a pinball machine and wondered, “What’s that part called?”
However, as an owner — or future owner — of your own pinball machine, you’re probably a little curious. Ownership does that.
To satisfy your craving for pinball information, we bring you another
hot page of original content made fresh in the creative kitchens of
Pinball Take Out.
This page displays those major components of a pinball machine that
every owner should be able to identify:
Backbox
Backglass
Speaker Panel and Dot Matrix Display
Cabinet
Playfield
Controls (Start Button, Plunger, Flipper Buttons)
Pinball Machine Components
The backbox is the vertical section of the pinball machine located at the back end of the machine. It displays the lighted, backglass artwork panel, set of stereo speakers, and dot matrix display. (When pinball machines are shipped, this unit is usually folded down over the cabinet.)
The pinball machine backglass (made of glass or plastic) is located on the front side of the backbox, facing the player. It is lighted from behind and displays a large, colorful illustration that serves as the signature artwork identifying the model of the pinball machine.
The stereo speakers of the pinball machine are located in the left and right lower front corners of the backbox, in a horizontal panel. They project game sounds and music.
The dot matrix display (sometimes shortened to DMD) is centered side-to-side in the front, lower area of the backbox between the speakers. This pixel-addressable display screen presents player scores, game status, and brief animations throughout play.
The pinball machine cabinet forms the sturdy base of the machine. The cabinet is covered in artwork that compliments the backglass and theme of the pinball machine. (The legs are often shipped un-mounted, requiring the new owner to bolt them onto the cabinet.)
The playfield is just that — the area of the pinball machine in which the player manipulates the pinball to achieve scoring goals. The playfield is filled with a wide variety of targets, along with objects that, when struck, purposely change the trajectory of the pinball. The playfield is usually inclined at about seven degrees, slanting upwards toward the back end of the machine. A drain hole at the bottom of the playfield allows a pinball to exit play, ending the player’s turn.
The player uses several controls during game play:
The start button initiates a game by resetting the machine for play and queuing up the first pinball. It is often located on the front end of the cabinet in the upper left corner.
The plunger is also located on the front end of the pinball machine cabinet, installed in the upper right corner. Pulling the plunger backwards (away from the machine) tightens the spring tension on the plunger rod. When released, the pent-up tension on the spring forces the rod to strike the pinball and propel it up and into the playfield.
The flipper buttons are located on both left and right sides of the cabinet at the front end. Pushing them inward causes the flippers to pivot. This allows the player to strike the pinball when it comes within range, sending it back up into other areas of the playfield. Almost all pinball machines have two lower flippers, and some have additional flippers placed higher up in the playfield. Regardless of the number of flippers, usually only two flipper buttons are used to activate all of the flippers (some move in tandem).
Hungry for More Detail?
If you would like this page to identify additional pinball machine components, send in your idea by clicking on CONTACT US (above right) and emailing us. We’ll be as responsive as we can. It’s with you in mind that we continue to build the special features of this site. Thanks!
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