runekokholm

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  1. runekokholm

    [MOC] Ferrari La Traviata

    runekokholm posted a topic in Special LEGO Themes

    Ferrari La Traviata MOC based on Ferrari Rossa concept from 2000 and Ferrari F1 car: Photoshop'ed:
  2. runekokholm
    Yes; there is a number of PF components missing from the current lineup, however PF elements are designed for kids which after all is the primary target group. As mentioned before the current PF lineup is probably supported by lot of market research and business cases, and I'll assume the rationale here is that ROI will be greater if money is spent on developing a new series targeting kids, e.g. Monster Fighters, than developing PF micro motors - which in itself isn't cool for kids but what is cool is the functionality it allows which can also be achieved by PF M og L motors. However, this does not mean that there isn't a market for developing and manufacturing elements such as PF micro motor, micro motor driven by solar panel, electric switch for train tracks etc. as well as developing an interface for PF elements that use a (more) device-friendly wireless connection such as bluetooth or wifi. Sbrick is proof to this. The flash element got some (~150?) supporters on "Cuusoo" (now "Ideas") before it was removed due to changes i Cuusoo policy so yes, to me there is a market. Basically there is always a market, question is just how profitable you want your project to be and what alternative investment opportunity is, but since LEGO has a very strong emotional factor the numbers may matters less. At least this holds true on buyer side... Let's see what the future brings.
  3. runekokholm
    Thanks for the input. To prevent overload you are right that a serial resistor could be implemented. I haven't done calculations yet on the resistor size required and also max current the individual components are able to handle - just in case... The PF battery box also have a current overload protection switch that kicks in when a given number of motors/max current level is reached. It's a valid point you have brought up and something to look into in greater detail. Thanks again.
  4. runekokholm
    Thanks for sharing. It’s a nice portfolio. I like the ice-rink – is it LED strips used for the railing? This technique allows for some very colourful rollercoasters and lead/chase-cars to be made…
  5. runekokholm
    Ok – thanks for feedback! Thank you for the link; They do offer an exciting range of products - I haven’t used any of them, but they seem to fulfill most requirements someone may have to buildings and vehicles. It also seems they have found LEDs that fit technic/pin holes which is a big plus. Most LEDs I’ve been able to find come in sizes of 3mm or 5mm which makes them a poor fit for the standard technic beam or pin holes unless a special padding element is created (similar to the way TLG wrapped the PF Light’s LED in a housing). Anyway, the relevance of the Flash Element can obviously be disputed and energy is perhaps better spent elsewhere, however it is also a fun technical challenge so let’s see. I’ll add Artifex light solutions as another reference; he has some cool stuff on the shelves. For example this light kit for the Tumbler: http://www.artifexcr...m/tumblerlights
  6. runekokholm
    Thanks for the support. The double-flash pattern is interesting: May I ask what kind of themes/models you are into?
  7. runekokholm
    Yes; it’s possible to use 1.5V or a 3V button-cell if it’s just any circuit with/without flashing LEDs you want. The 9V battery in this setup is used for consistency as PF is a 9V system. It’s a good question; The Flash Element can be made as a 2x2 brick but must have PF circuit interfaces: from my understanding a standard 2x2 brick can be manufactured legally as the patent for the “standard” LEGO bricks has expired and copyright isn’t strong enough to prevent reproduction of the 2x2 bricks overall design, however I believe TLG still holds the copyright on the 2x2 bricks inner design (uniqueness)? With PF elements TLG holds the copyright (if not patent) to the design of the power connectors between PF units, meaning to manufacture an element with PF connector design you need an arrangement with TLG and you would want to involve them anyway when things get tangible enough for them to spend time on it. When creating a Cuusoo project you also assign TLG some manufacturing rights to the item. You and Front are probably right that light elements are not a priority for TLG – I’m sure this decision is backed by data and research however personally I find the lack of light and add-ons a bit disappointing, but perhaps kids these days are a lot more feature demanding if competition is a videogame via 50” flat-screen…
  8. runekokholm
    Time for an update: Setup now without Arduino, but electronic design pending iteration. Some components also pending, including resistors with 4 and 5 step-wise adjustment (current have smooth adjustment). Making the components fit in a 2x2 brick is going to be a challenge, but let's see! First shell ready for 3D print and tests.
  9. runekokholm
    Hi Clausen Thanks for the feedback! The work continues. Yes; hopefully a lot of data is being mined and scenarios created inside TLG on this, because in general there is a lot of potential and opportunities in PF series and extensions to it; both low-tech and high-tech. Rune
  10. runekokholm
    Hi Erland. Volume giving lower prices is a valid argument provided PF Lights in their current state are considered valuable (otherwise lower price is irrelevant). One could also argue that the low use of PF Lights points towards them having a perceived low play value (also compared to motors) whereby adding them to a model wouldn’t affect the purchase decision: thus if production of PF Lights is increased to max and price lowered to min the lights wouldn’t become proportionally more attractive. Reason: 1 x motor is more fun than 2 x PF Lights but 1 x motor is also more fun than 4 x PF Lights (even a lit, but still train isn’t much fun). Increase value by increasing playability: Light elements combined with action/flash makes them attractive and also make a potential sales driver for models. That’s just my feeling. Hi Ralf; I think your picture should inspire to shields/“Open end” PF connectors, i.e. one as a power source for a small microcontroller or other unit to drive light systems, perhaps it comes with a small knob for regulating the voltage? That can also be made at home of course… As you write, LEDs off the shelf in internet shops can be had for very little money and that is one way to go when upgrading bigger technic (and other) sets with lights. An interesting add-on here is what options there are for solder-less implementation of LEDs with models, e.g. a “shell” similar to what the PF Lights already have to fit in beam holes. I like the video; it’s cool. Looking forward to seeing more videos from you. What type of unit controls the lights? and are you able to control lights remotely? I guess next step is adding a small speaker system with engine sound :-) Here are a few items to play around with for next scaled-down version of demo flash element. The white plastic in center of potentiometer can be molded using a heated metal pin with same dimensions as a Technic pin to make the "X" pattern for, well, Technic pin or element separator to adjust frequency. These components, however, are not likely to be the actual components but what I could get my hands on earlier today. You can also get them in smaller versions.
  11. runekokholm
    Hi Gene Thanks for the suggestion. A pushbutton is also an option and it would save space. The challenge I see with a digital input is: 1) how do you change/store settings when you have the Flash Element separately and not connected? Digital input does not store settings when not "on" and 2) if you have the flash element alone how would you know the current settings? I believe the final version must provide a clear visible cue on current settings and you must be able to adjust settings on an isolated Flash Element, i.e. not having to connect it to the PF circuit to adjust frequency. This can also be achieved with a pushbutton but then I think the internal electronic components needed will take up even more space. The Flash Element should be 2 x 2 studs in size to match current PF range and also to ensure two Flash Elements can fit next to each other on e.g. IR Receiver (so a total of 4 studs wide), The rear of the Flash Element (where A/B switch is currently located) still requires more space (2.5-3 studs) but this should be ok; other PF connections need same space for their wires. You can create a recess in the 2 x 2 element (assuming a button is replacing pin hole in drawings above) to make it fit 2 x 2 and still adjustable via a finger or small element; this is possible. I'll give is some more thought - it may inspire for other ideas to this element.
  12. runekokholm
    A design update based on feedback: A and B version replaced by one element that allows switching between A and B state + easier adjusment of settings via technic axle: And this one below to compare 5 vs. 9 frequency settings. A hypothesis: either you fine tune and use the entire spectrum (AFOLs?) or the exact frequency matters less and you have it either as Min or Max (kids?). I could be wrong. 3 frequency settings is also an option (0.1 + 0.5 + 0.9 seconds) as allows you to create most simulations (emergency, rail-road crossing, plane) but 3 settings limits the number of flash combinations you can make (e.g. the animated jetport firetruck shown above) - but maybe this isn't important? (EDIT: pictures updated + extra added 10.02 CET on OCT 20. 2013)
  13. runekokholm
    Thanks! I will consider fewer options, but also like that you can combine it all within 1 second (i.e. 10 settings with increment of 0.1 seconds). I hope to post a few examples tomorrow of a few different design options. Rough financial estimate suggests this can be a viable product manufactured in a reasonable batch and I agree Kickstarter is an option if it is made as an official element. Cuusoo is good for verifying, but voting with money is perhaps the ultimate product validator. Hi Mark – thanks for input. 1) I agree on usability and price. I hope to have a few other designs available tomorrow, also one where technic axle (or brick separator) is used to adjust settings. 2) Flash element incorporated in PF Lights: yes, agree this would be neat, however cost-wise there is an argument to separate the two, so if only lights are needed you don’t pay for Flash Element. 3) The train project is very exciting; it could probably do with some other add-on PF elements… --- Here is an functional example with LED and two adjustable knobs for setting light/flash duration and delay to give an impression of functions. Actual light/delay settings will happen stepwise, with e.g. 4 or 10 settings to choose from: more on this in the coming element design update. Actual components will be "shrinked" to fit in a 2x2 which is next step, but for demo purpose this will do. Here is the video:
  14. runekokholm
    Hi Erland The PF Light and Flash element combinations shown here probably wouldn't appear in a set due to price, however it's for inspiration and what can be achieved with PF Lights and Flash Element. Kids will get inspired and AFOL's will try it out. I've also included an example of PF Lights and Flash Element as it could (very likely) appear in a set. PF Lights use very little power, and adding several to 1 battery box shouldn't be an issue. PF Battery box can handle up to 4 x M motors - PF LIghts are much more energy conservative. Remember each PF Light outlet has two diodes - this is not shown below. Crane diagram: Jetport Firetruck diagram: Jetplane diagram: Below an example of a very likely set (not this but similar): 1 x battery box + 1 M motor + PF Lights + PF Flash Element. Another set would include the B version of the Flash Element. (M motor not shown but would be added between Battery box and Flash Element).
  15. runekokholm started following Flash Element for Power Functions Lights
  16. runekokholm
    Thanks for the comments. First, a few examples of the functionality that can be achieved with different frequencies: Plus an example with multiple Flash Elements combined: And strobe-light simulation for aircraft: In terms of production: I would strongly go for both A and B versions to allow the extra fun this would bring to the models (e.g. the two animations above). In terms of production you can get the internal components in a size and at a cost that makes the product viable and in the proposed format. I am working on a few other designs (more finger-friendly) and will also consider the suggestion with fewer light/delay options, e.g. 5.