Module Types are generally named by the Lift mechanisms that they use to lift the balls up and into the next module. This list shows some of the very extensive list of modules that have designed over the years that GBCs have been around.
These modules are very simple. They have a bucket that raises, dumps, and lowers, with an input that places balls into the bucket when it is at the bottom of its cycle. This may sound complicated but is actually not nearly as complicated as at first glance. These modules generally do not require a output system, unless the bucket is the wrong dimension to dump into the next module.
Due to the fact that these modules do not require a output system that is seperate from the lifting mechanism, they do not require as much work as some other modules, so they should be one of the ones you would want to consider if you are new to GBCs.
These modules are very simple. They have a rotating conveyer belt that carries balls up to the top, where they fall off either onto the next module or a widget.
These modules are ideal for a beginner, as they are quite simple. They are also good if you want to put an interesting widget in your module, as it is easy to gain a lot of height with very few additional parts. The one potentially difficult part of this module is the input system, which can be jammed by balls if not done well.
Ferris wheel modules are fairly comlicated. First the input has to get the balls onto the ferris wheel, then the wheel has to succesfully carry the balls up and around to a system that takes the balls off the ferris wheel without jamming it.
These modules can be very difficult to build. An alternative that is easier but sometimes not as impressive is to have a rotating arm that pushes the balls up to a point where they fall through a hole in the back and roll on to the next module. This enables it to have very few moving parts and, if built correctly, to be very robust and pass along many balls at a time.
Stepper modules are made of two rows of blocks that hold the balls in place, and a set of blocks that push the balls upward one step at a time.
These modules are not particularly hard to build, but they do have a tendency to crumble if not built with enough support. It is often necessary to add more supporting blocks than you would think, because the motion elements make the structure much weaker.
These modules are made of something that takes one ball at a time and pushes it under a stack of balls, making the one on top fall out. These modules are a relatively easy to gain height with, but because of how they require a one or two ball wide input, they need a system that works to unclog the balls in the input.
Due to the large number of the balls pushing down on the stack, the system that pushes the ball up under the stack must be strong enough to not break. Also, there must be a way to stop the balls from popping out into the mechanics that are driving the module and then jam it.