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designer-han

[MOC] Distribution Truck

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Hi all again,

Another remarkable year has passed by. A year I had more time to design a new MOC, being launched a week ago on my Website.

It’s a full remote controlled Distribution Truck, being able to equip with Power Functions or Powered-Up devices.

 

distritruck_1.jpg

 

To be honest – and despite these trucks are very common and widely used in the real world – I noticed hardly any remote controlled LEGO Technic model. Maybe I just missed it… :laugh:

The tail-lift function was the biggest challenge, as two kind of platform movements needed to be involved together: lift and tilt. I decided to use a gearing/LA combination, as a pneumatic system requires a motor/pump function as well to be motorized and remote controlled.

The truck is powered by a PF/PU L-motor, connected to both rear-wheels via differentials. Steering of the last rear-wheel is even possible; although in the real world this is hardly the case (I just had fun to design it :classic: ) Due to the last rear-wheel steering, the turning radius of the truck is relatively short.

Long-term members of Eurobricks will recall my MOCs; and will notice the looks of the cabin. Nothing has really changed here, except for the grille and roof side-skirts.

Both the PF/PU version do have front/rear LED lights.

distritruck_render_cutaway.jpg

distritruck_render_rear.jpg

Why did I designed 2 chassis versions? Well, I definitely believe in the future of Powered-Up. Besides Bluetooth controlled, it is possible to create your own code-block programming. As an example, the PU-version has front/rear hazard lights that can be turned on/off. Or, limit the output force/speed of PU-motors. Controlling the model via a Smart-device is just a logical next step and gives the user more UX (user-experience) with tailor-made dash-boards.

But, the downside today is steep learning curve of the Powered-Up app. Not much programming information is available; so many times it is trial on error. Example, the motor code-block output can be set to AB; in this case both Technic Hub outputs A and B will be equally operate the 2 connected motors. But when 2 PU-LEDs are connected to the Technic Hub outputs A and B, they don’t work at all. Might be a logical reason behind this….. But unknown to the wider audience.

 

This model gives you the ability to start with a PF-version and switch to the PU-version later-on to learn and explore. I encourage you to read the PU code-block programming of this model; it's included in the free download PDF example BI on my website.

Maybe this model can provide a 'community push' in adopting the Powered-Up system.

Hope you appreciate this new model, and more information can be found at: http://www.designer-han.nl/lego

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Magnificent work! The tail lift is really great, don't see those too often in MOCs.

Gotta love those Duplos as cargo too :laugh:

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Very nice truck! :wub: Hats off to the dual approach to PF/PU. :thumbup: I also think PU is the future, but the support for the programming has been a big let-down for me. It took a year before we got a programmable interface, but sharing your programs is still not possible AFAIK.

Anyway, back to the truck. That loadingplatform is great. I remember trying to make this work in 1997 with studded beams and pneumatics. Never achieved that level of realism you have here.

The Duploblocks are a really fun touch, as are the palletwagons (or whatever the english term is)

The only design choice I would question is the use of systembricks for the containerpart of the truck, whilst keeping a technic approach to the cabine. That makes it look like two different parts in my eyes. But that is only nitpicking. The compact chassis filled wih functions is just techporn :wub:

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Impressive MOC! Nice that all the technical stuff is below the cargo floor! And there is even a "pompwagen" (is that called pallet truck in English?)

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44 minutes ago, GerritvdG said:

Impressive MOC! Nice that all the technical stuff is below the cargo floor! And there is even a "pompwagen" (is that called pallet truck in English?)

Hand pallet truck, yes. :sweet:

Cool build, @designer-han! Looks good on the road. :thumbup:

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Very nice :thumbup:  Looks simple, awesome how you hid all the complexity. And high play value, I like that!

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This is really amazing, I actually like how you mixed the technic and system parts, for me the only thing that's a bit off is the front fender, maybe using system there as well would make it smoother. But the rest really blends well together for me. The cutaway view is really nice to show the inside and the functional part. I count 4 motors, and I am guessing 1 for drive, 1 for steering, plus 2 for the loading platform (which works really smooth); these could be operated from 1 hub. Is the second hub only for the lights?

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14 hours ago, Jeroen Ottens said:

The compact chassis filled wih functions is just techporn :wub:

Couldn't agree more. Brilliant MOC !

That photo showing the internal mechanisms neatly tucked away should be censored :laugh:

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It is one of my future goals to be able to design of my own such mechanism for tail platform. Amazing work!

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Really like this moc and functions. You went all out on realism for the lift..well done on that! Your trucks as you mentioned have a very distinct look. I have several of your moc’s on display and are classic. 

 

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Really nice and compact build! Love to see how you have gotten all the functionality into the frame! That is a super picture!

Would like to see some schematics for how all the functions are driven and controlled.

Best Regards 

_ED_

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Many thanks for the positive responses!

@ Nazgarot: More information is provided on my website; not specific schematics, but the controls are really straight forward (eg. motor connects to the mechanism for driving/steering/cabin tilt/platform controls.

@ gyenesvi: I understand your view point. However, the front fender is deliberately not build with system bricks; as there was not place/room to secure/lock the vendor arches as done at the rear wheels. So, to avoid 'loosing the fenders during operations', I have chosen the Technic approach.

@ Jeroen Ottens: The model is indeed a mix of System and Technic; I prefer to be honest Technic look-a-likes. But, the containerpart was not really smooth looking in Technic, neither it was possible to have a smooth connection between the tail-gate platform and the loading floor. So, I had to choose the best of both worlds. And, although it is a 'two legs approach', I am really happy with the end-result. ;-)

@ AFOLegofan66: Nice to know you like my models...... hopefully you have still space available to display them... Luckely you did not build all the designed MOCs I made the last 15 years :-) Ps: I only have 3 of my MOCs complete..... all the others separated again for reuse.

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