I mean, the only possible idea I would have is to craft it with redstone. Each redstone equals +1 length. The redstone is crafted as a + around the piston meaning that the expanded piston would be between 2 and 5 length.
I suggested a system for controlling the properties (including the length of the piston) here. The general idea was a right-click menu on pistons that allowed you to control the direction they faced, how far they extended, how many blocks they pulled back, etc... by placing various other blocks inside of them. I.E. you place slimeballs in the appropriate spot to control how many blocks it pulls, a 'piston extension' item in another slot to control how far it pushes. You could also probably put in something like redstone in a slot to control how much power the piston has (and thus how many blocks it can push).
Or "use" slime on the other side of the block (right click) to make it sticky as well...
= sticky piston = slime = block
for example would move both cobblestones. (limit it to 2 or 3 blocks max, and require the piston be made out of possibly iron or gold or something to make it "strong enough" to move multiple blocks).
How does a one block piston contain a rod long enough to push something more than one block?
The simplest and most "realistic" solution would be to have pistons join up like chests. You could be able to put piston blocks in a line and as long as the piston part faced the back of the one in front of it it would turn into a two block piston and so on. Up to a limit of course.
A piston is easily able to extend out to several times it's own length, from an engineering 'realism' perspective this is an easy to do thing. Also, I don't know for certain, but I'm relatively certain that it'd actually be simpler to code a piston to extend out further then have pistons automatically activate in series. I'm not 100% certain on that though.
How does a one block piston contain a rod long enough to push something more than one block?
The simplest and most "realistic" solution would be to have pistons join up like chests. You could be able to put piston blocks in a line and as long as the piston part faced the back of the one in front of it it would turn into a two block piston and so on. Up to a limit of course.
The same way the antenna on a radio can extend out further than its original size. It's called telescoping. Here's an example of this:
Apart from telescopic cylinders as pictured above which are normally push only and retract passively I can't think of any other piston-like mechanism that extends several times its retracted length. And telescopic cylinders are not engineeringly simple nor fast acting. They are buggers that tend to leak and break down. And I repeat they don't generally pull, only push, so sticky pistons would not work with them.
There should be more effort (i.e. the cost of the extra piston blocks) into making longer extending pistons than just flicking a switch.
I do have to admit that there's a point to be made about telescoping arms and pulling. All of the ones that I can think of push. I'll also agree that there needs to be more effort put in to pistons extend more then one block then just flipping a switch, I suggested that it be more then a switch both in my post and in the topic I put up.
It doesn't have to be completely realistic, just plausible. Still I'd be happy with pistons that extended 2 blocks. It'd greatly simplify the retarded double sticky piston set up I had to use for my gate.
Telescoping systems with hydraulics, seen those too. Had a car with two for the hood. It never did work right, beside the point. Still retractable and extendable telescoping cylinders are not too much to imagine, are they?
I mean, the only possible idea I would have is to craft it with redstone. Each redstone equals +1 length. The redstone is crafted as a + around the piston meaning that the expanded piston would be between 2 and 5 length.
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A piston is easily able to extend out to several times it's own length, from an engineering 'realism' perspective this is an easy to do thing. Also, I don't know for certain, but I'm relatively certain that it'd actually be simpler to code a piston to extend out further then have pistons automatically activate in series. I'm not 100% certain on that though.
The same way the antenna on a radio can extend out further than its original size. It's called telescoping. Here's an example of this:
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I do have to admit that there's a point to be made about telescoping arms and pulling. All of the ones that I can think of push. I'll also agree that there needs to be more effort put in to pistons extend more then one block then just flipping a switch, I suggested that it be more then a switch both in my post and in the topic I put up.
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i'm on a boat!