[MOC] Manta Ray

[Berthil]

A Manta Ray with moving pectoral fins, moving tail and heartbeat LED lighting. Some call it a kinetic sculpture, most of it is Technic.

Since it moves, here is the video. In the video is the inspiration for this build; A Manta Ray made a barrel roll under our nose at Kona Hawaii. Awesome experience.

The building instruction is available on Rebrickable:
https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-215424/Berthil/manta-ray/

[Davidz90]

Now this is unique! 

I wonder if the linkages to the wing tips could be altered so that the wingtips perform more of a flapping motion instead of keeping constant angle, which seems a little unnatural.

[allanp]

Very nice way to remember being in Hawaii! I like that it looks both natural and mechanical with all the exposed gears and springs.

[Paul B Technic]

This is very unusual and cool.

[anothergol]

It's cool & all (to see it working in Lego)

but no link with the Stodeer one?
https://stodeer.com/products/innovative-mechanical-metal-manta-ray-model-perfect-for-decorations-and-gifts-steampunk-style-advanced-3d-metal-devil-fish-puzzle-kit-sd-01

[StarBricks]

Spectacular! Great idea and great execution!
Congratulations!!

[Daiman]

Very nice shaping overall the body, love Manta Rays, love this.

 

3 hours ago, anothergol said:

It's cool & all (to see it working in Lego)

but no link with the Stodeer one?
https://stodeer.com/products/innovative-mechanical-metal-manta-ray-model-perfect-for-decorations-and-gifts-steampunk-style-advanced-3d-metal-devil-fish-puzzle-kit-sd-01

Bad Vibe Post...

[anothergol]

1 hour ago, Daiman said:

Bad Vibe Post...

Bad vibe to point out that the original isn't being credited, or not to credit it in the first place?

It's a feat in the first place to do it in Lego, so I don't see the point of not crediting the source. Unless I'm mistaken and Stodeer's one isn't the source - correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Jurss]

Something different and very cool looking.

And it really looks, that this is inspired by stodeer.

[Berthil]

Surely I looked at the Stodeer one but I don't feel I need to give them credit for a LEGO build with totally different materials and solutions implemented. I can't count the GBC designs I have created and made free instructions for that you can find on Temu, Ali, Vonado and many others without compensating or even asking me.

My main inspiration was the Manta Ray making a barrel roll under my nose at Kona Hawaii. And since all Manta Rays have a unique belly pattern, I now know the Manta Ray that I've seen from so close. It's a she and called Amanda Ray, you can recognise the belly pattern on the video. She's alive and well but now has a damaged pectoral fin because of fishing line!

https://mantarayadvocates.com/manta-ray/amanda-ray-hawaii/

Edited March 25 by Berthil
typos

[anothergol]

1 hour ago, Berthil said:

I can't count the GBC designs I have created and made free instructions for that you can find on Temu, Ali, Vonado and many others without compensating or even asking me.

Same for me & pretty much every MOCer (I've even found my stuff on Amazon), but... that's exactly why it's the right thing to do to credit the inspiration

& let's agree that it's more than inspiration when the mechamism seems to be the same [same rope design, same linkage underneath, same visible gears, same windshield, all at the same place].
In fact, I think it would have made an even better model if you hadn't copied the stabilisation of the extremity of the fins. That's the one thing that doesn't look too great on the Stodeer one, and it doesn't look natural either (I mean they don't seem to swim like that).
And I'm all for not bothering to credit sources when they're already very obvious to everyone, but the Stodeer model is obscure enough (judging from the first comments).

[MAP Tec]

I love technic and that's why I also love your MOC. Cool function and very nicely and realistically done! ^^