lego timing gear (32060) what is it for?

[SNIPE]

Hi,

On most models that use this, it is purley for aesthetics so that it looks like its meant to be something in real life

however im not so sure about the lego 8479 bar code truck, it is right down in the body of it where the other moving parts are.

can somebody tell me what is it for?

[DLuders]

The 32060 "Technic, Gear Timing Wheel 8 Tooth", used on the 8479 Barcode Multi-Set and a few other sets, can be used for more than decoration. An engine's "Timing Gear" or Timing Belt "controls the timing of the engine's valves" (per Wikipedia). There are white marks to allow a strobe light to determine their exact speed of rotation. From Brickfactory.info, here is how the part is used in the 8479 Barcode Truck's "A" and "B" models:

[SNIPE]

Does the model have a light beam?

[DLuders]

The 8479 Barcode Multi-Set has a "Code Pilot" that reads a barcode card:

I don't see a "Light Sensor" listed on Bricklink's 8479 Parts Inventory webpage. However, one can download the 8479's Technic Code Pilot 4111545 User Guide here (via SkyDrive) to see how the scanning is done.

From a review on Brickset, sabpol noted that "Programming the scanner is pretty neat. You can either scan codes off of the placemat-looking card, or you can program it by recording a series of moves as you make the truck run, kind of like recording a macro on a spreadsheet. You can program the truck to operate at different speeds, 4 actually, if you count the "varying speed" scan code. You can also record several different motorlike sounds and one octave of musical notes. One sensor brick on the scanner operates the sensor, and the other sensor brick operates the motor. You have to make sure you hook up the sensor and/or motor to the correct sensor on the scanner.

"A separate instruction booklet explains how to record programs. My set also came with a little service booklet dated 1998 listing several parts like the motor, gears, and wired sensors that this set uses. I don't think these "sets" are available at S@H anymore, though. I typed 5225 (set # for the motor) into LEGO's web site, and no matches came up. The main instruction booklet contains detailed instructions for building 3 other models."

[SNIPE]

So what is the timing wheel used with?

[laix]

I checked every set which contains the timing gear and as you said it is purley for aesthetics. There seems to be a connection with the Technic Tread Hub which could be found on the X-Wing. I tried this myself and it works, but not as good as the Gear 16 Tooth

Edited March 24, 2012 by laix

[Lyichir]

Don't know if this is relevant to you technic builders, but this piece can also accommodate 3.2mm bars between the "teeth" (essentially, anything a minifig hand can grip). This compatibility would be hard to use functionally in a Technic model, but it's great for aesthetic detail, and was used for such many times in Exo-Force. Perhaps it could be used to bind older (non-Power Functions) wires together so that they don't get caught in the works of a MOC using numerous motors?

[allanp]

This piece does serve a technical purpose. The code pilot of the barcode truck does indeed have a light sensor built into it which it uses to scan barcodes. When placed in the truck, the light sensor is positioned directly over the timimg gear (which is in turn rotated by the wheels). The code pilot deduces the speed of rotation of the timing gear (and therefore the wheels) by scanning it as it rotates. By knowing the speed the vehicle moves it then plays one of a number of different engine sound recordings, each being a different speed. So when it is stationary, an engine idleing sound is played, when it is moving slowly, a low revving engine sound is played and so on.

Edited March 24, 2012 by allanp

[SNIPE]

I Like that cable idea and ill try it with my latest innovation.

[KEvron]

it's the pinwheel in an arnfield escapement, of course. heh.

KEvron

Edited March 25, 2012 by KEvron

[timslegos]

I always wondered what this piece was for! i guess you learn something new everyday.

I always wondered what this piece was for! i guess you learn something new everyday.

I always wondered what this piece was for! i guess you learn something new everyday.

[DarkShadow73]

Wish I had bought this set but it was during my dark ages...

The 32060 "Technic, Gear Timing Wheel 8 Tooth", used on the 8479 Barcode Multi-Set and a few other sets, can be used for more than decoration. An engine's "Timing Gear" or Timing Belt "controls the timing of the engine's valves" (per Wikipedia). There are white marks to allow a strobe light to determine their exact speed of rotation. From Brickfactory.info, here is how the part is used in the 8479 Barcode Truck's "A" and "B" models:

[sama]

I always wondered what this piece was for! i guess you learn something new everyday.

I always wondered what this piece was for! i guess you learn something new everyday.

I always wondered what this piece was for! i guess you learn something new everyday.

You can say that again!

Anyways, for the bar-code scanner truck, a scanner is directly scanning the speed of the timing gear to pick which engine noise to play?

[KEvron]

This compatibility would be hard to use functionally in a Technic model

that assembly might make for a good cage gear.

[allanp]

You can say that again!

Anyways, for the bar-code scanner truck, a scanner is directly scanning the speed of the timing gear to pick which engine noise to play?

That's correct.