Week TechVideo, 2008 #22 - The new Linear Actuator in action

Philo just commented in the previous post, to have found images and one video from a MOC where the new Linear Actuators (LAs) are in use and action. Thanks Philo!

For its relevance and actuality, decided to make it the video of the week at TBs .

These are photos from the same guy, who posted LA images earlier this week at Brickshelf. Find his new excavator MOC images in this Brickshelf folder.
Unfortunately the quality and focus on the LAs is not so good, that we can for instance figure precisely how many revolutions are needed to make the LA run between the full range of its extreme positions.

The new Power Functions lights also shows up on this MOC video.

About the new Linear Actuator (once more)

A fellow member of PLUG has found out an interesting Brickshelf folder, with some new pictures of the upcoming Linear Actuators. They're a bit blurry, but nonetheless provide a lot of information about this speculation-stirring part!

The new Pole Reverser can be seen too, but in my opinion these images don't add much to what we already know about it.

Here they are, for your "image dissection":

So, the LA's we see on the 8294 Excavator and the 8295 Telescopic Handler are actually comprised of two parts: the LA itself and a mounting bracket (click to enlarge and compare the details on the two upper images).

Also, I'm happy to see that, unlike what I commented on the previous LA-related post, this new piece does indeed have an axlehole instead of a short axle. LEGO has adopted this design on modern motors, and it's indeed more flexible than having a fixed-length axle protruding from it.
So, with the optional bracket and the axlehole, LEGO created what appears to be a very useful piece, with lots of applications in sets and MOCs.

However, there's still the issue of strength under loads (which, being this piece intended for what it's intended, will surely be considerable), but that's something that, as soon as the first sets hit the stores, shall be discovered. And, when that happens, you'll for sure read about it here at TechnicBRICKs .

Week TechVideo, 2008 #21 - No limits for LPE...

This week not one video, neither two... but an handful of them! ;)

Record after record, Alex Zorko (nicjasno.com) continues to make his LEGO Pneumatic Engines (LPE) to surpass themselves.
After his 'Inline 4' [1] [2] and a few V8 versions [2], Alex continues to improve the V8 design to achieve higher and higher speeds.

While the 'Mustang V8' reached a respectable 960 rpms, a newer V8 LPE version immediately reached the 1000 rpms mark!

But it was just the beginning... It was immediately surpassed by a 1440 rpm version.
The previous pushrod setup, was replaced by a double cam (SOHC), to achieve 440 rpms more.
But more was just behind the door (@ 1540 rpms)!

1440 rpms on the left and 1540 rpms on the right

Back to the pushrod (a more promising setup according Alex) and more fine tunning to make the rpms go even further...

1600 rpms on the left and 1660 rpms on the right

And it seems it will not stop by there...
Alex is claiming to have reached already the 1780 rmps (peak). Follow the new developments here or here.


However, someone else (rickd3508) also claims his own records. And these take the rpm limits far beyond the range where Alex is working, as it seems... (despite this seems to be some sort of an easier inline LPE).
Below the engine which marked an amazing 4360 rpm (realize the tach was geared down 2:1, to get into measuring range).

Astonishingly running at 120-140 PSI!

In case you have further interest to know about Single and Double Overhead Cams (SOHC/DOHC) or Pushrod Engines, take a look into the article "How Camshafts Work (Camshaft Configurations)" at HowStuffWorks.

SOHC (left) and Pushrod (right) Camshaft animations.

TBs TechTips 015 - Instructions for Nicjasno's LPEs

Maybe you remember an old TBs post here, where the Alex Zorko (nicjasno.com) LEGO Pneumatic Engine (LPE) 'Inline 4', was mentioned and shown.

For those interested to try it, see the 'Inline 4' instructions and also the instructions for two other Double Cam (SOHC) V8 LPE versions below.

Download here the instructions for the 1220 rpm 'Inline 4' motor, which Alex stretched up to an incredible 1420 rpms on his 4 cylinder studless version. I wonder how many PSIs, did he used to feed the motor while running at these speeds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

For the 'Charger V8' version, find the instructions in photos here and ldraw images here. This motor ran at 700 rpms.

The instructions for 'Mustang V8' version can be found here. This one ran at 960 rpms.

Week TechVideo, 2008 #20 - Manual Sequential Gearbox

A cute idea, quite realistic, to actuate a manual sequential gear box with 2 speeds (in this case).

The 8295 B-model! Here it is...

...yes, I found them too! [1]
Long live for the LEGO cache. ;)

See below, two photos for the new Telescopic Handler (8295) B-model.

Quite unexpected, but nice looking isn't it!?
Enjoy!


Meanwhile also the final box artwork versions for the remaining new TECHNIC sets, below (from Whung Brickshelf folder).

Click on each image to enlarge them

New images from the new Telescopic Handler (8295)

After these, the only one whose real images were not yet known. ;)
Now the real thing!...

Enjoy!

And now ask me... do I have the images from the correspondent B-model?

More detailed pictures for 8295 and 8297

In the sequence of a comment to the previous post, and for those seeking for hidden details, here you have full detailed pics from the Telescopic Handler (8295) and the Off Roader (8297).

Click over each image to get the detailed resolution version

Nice Brick Wally hunt!... ;D

About the new Linear Actuar again

I've just got a new catalog, where some old images from the new 2H TECHNIC sets are available. So I can saw them with more detail.

I realized from the images below, where the Linear Actuator appears in two different setups, on something I saw before but always forgot to mention. It makes clear that the LA driving mechanism connection is made with an axle termination and not a U-joint as I initially imagined. :P
It turns obvious when you compare with the setup on the right, where a '12 Thoot Double Bevel' gear is in use.

Regarding the Off Roader (8297), it has written a sentence which translated means "Doors and Bonnet with hydraulic opening". It seems Ok and according to the images available for the doors, but I doubt it would be the case for the capot or even the rear door.

From the originally sized images, it is also clear that tires are in fact '94.8 x 44 R' sized, i.e. the same used at rear wheels from the 2006 'Tractor/Dune Buggy' (8284).

TBs TechPoll 03 (Results) - After the 1st six months... "Which direction should TBs take?"

Here are the results for TBs 3rd poll, where you expressed what do prefer to see (read) here, in the future.




Hope I will address the majority of your wishes. ;)
Thank you all, for your participation!

Week TechVideo, 2008 #19 - NXT Self Parking Car

This weekend I'm at a public exhibition from my LUG (PLUG) in Lourinhã (Portuguese capital of Dinosaurs and the center of one of the richest fossils areas of the late Jurassic age, in the entire world). Nevertheless managed to get a bit of time for a fast post, so the weekly TechVideo won't be missed... ;)

This video is certainly already widely known, but still one of my favorite concept implementations with NXT. A Self Parking Car (SPC) from cesky79, made with an unique ultrasonic sensor which rotates 360º.

This is and evolution of the same author, first SPC (see below). According to his description, thanks to the rotating ultrasonic sensor the car can park both sides, left or right, and uses it to avoid hitting cars when it parks. Although with two ultrasonic sensors the parking system would be easier and the car design would become nicer.

GBC at Fana'briques LEGO event

Yesterday I got a mail from Philo, challenging me. He wrote,

At the end of June, "Fana'briques" LEGO event will take place in Rosheim, east of France. During this event we will set up a Great Ball Contraption. There are already about 50 modules foreseen in the loop, but more would be great of course ;o) - so you or any of your readers is welcome to bring his modules (or just to watch!)

More details on Fana'briques: http://www.freelug.org/article.php3?id_article=706

And of course I immediately decided on passing you the challenge, to participate or try to be present too! ;)

As you see from the images above, it is an event organized by the French LUG (FreeLUG) and as you can find written at the event webpage, they aim to put together more than 100 GBC modules. Lets help them! ;)



So Philo gave me the right excuse to finally write here at TBs a few words about something, I was planning to do for a long time, but which I never done... Yes, GBC (Great Ball Contraption)!

I must confess some time ago, I had to go to the dictionary to find what the hell "contraption" means... "strange-looking machine or piece of equipment" as I found. It couldn't fit more perfectly! ;)
GBC is another idea developed by Steve Hassenplug and Brian Davis (I think to be correct, this statement) and to put it simple, the goal is to pass LEGO soccer balls from one module to the next. Each module can be as simple, or as complex as a builder wants. It follows the same principles illustrated by Rube Goldberg, an American cartoonist, sculptor, author, engineer and inventor best known for his series of popular cartoons depicting Rube Goldberg machines, complex devices that perform simple tasks in indirect, convoluted ways.

Much like other AFOLs made with Moonbase and Classic Castle standards, GBC allows different people to build modules/sections that interact into a common display.

A few definitions to interface between modules and many other info, can be found here.
Also here, a few examples how the modules could interface, based on the defined rules.

Below a few video examples from GBC setups, to show what can be achieved with it.

First GBC setup from teamhassenplug on the left, and FreeLUG GBC setup during Legoworld 2005 on the right




BeLUG GBC setup at Lego World 2005




GBC setup at Brickworld 2007

If got interested and willing to try something like this, take also a look into Philo's GBC webpage, where you can see his creations. Below also somo photo examples.

Philo's individual GBC modules




The same GBC modules assembled together

Have fun!

Week TechVideo, 2008 #18 - Roller Coaster, 360º Roll

This week a video for a TECHNIC Roller Coaster implementation, with 360º roll.
It uses Power Functions parts.

From the same author another monorail Roller Coaster design, also based on the same PF elements.

TBs TechNuggets 06 - How does it could have been...

During my incursions into LEGO patents at USPTO, I found another interesting 'Interlego AG' patent.

Hope I'm not taking a wrong conclusion, but see from the Patent Design D374.257, how the TECHNIC beam could have looked like. See more details an images from the excerpt below.

Toy building element Sten Schmidt et al

This was filed back in September 1994 and shows an 11L TECHNIC beam like, element (see here, its current counterpart).

It took almost 1 year till LEGO fills another patent, with the actual design for TECHNIC beams and liftarms.
See it below from the design of a 'TECHNIC Liftarm 1 x 9 Bent (6 - 4) Thick' (Patent Design D374.465) and compare how different, they are in the details.

Toy building element Sten Schmidt

Toy building element Sten Schmidt

Edit:

After a comment to this post, from Phil, I was found that patent above refers to a DUPLO part with reference 6525 and which name is "DUPLO Technic Beam 11"... :P
Somehow a TECHNIC part anyway. ;)

There is also a 7L version.
Parts like these, belong to 'Early Simple Machines' sets, which is like a TECHNIC for the Juniors.
Always learning...


Last Update: 2008.May.04 01:52 GMT