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Showing results for tags 'Swingloader'.
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[MOC] Swingloader Mark Two
D3K posted a topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale Modeling
After I built my first big MOC construction vehicle, this attempt at a different kind of loader, some nine months ago (boy, time sure flies), I've been wanting to redesign it, implementing techniques and mechanisms I have learned since then, to make a better functioning, better looking, more professional build, without cutting so many corners as I did the last time. So without further ado, I present to you THE SWINGLOADER (mk II) Firstly, I had a pretty good idea in my head of how to make the setup with the PF motors, and stack the four functions I wanted on top of each other in as small a space as possible. This is the first try, which turned out okay, but neede some minor redesign during the course of the project: In the final version the top two motors are PF-L motors, that operate the lifting an tipping of the bucket (axles 2 and 3 from the top). The two lower motors are PF-M. One controls the two small LA's for turning the machine, and the other controls the turning of the digger (uppermost axle) The lowermost axle is of course the drive axle, driven by a PF-XL motor (not in this picture) Anyway, here is a couple of detailed model images and explanations: The first two shows pretty much every axle, gear, actuator and motor in the model (yes, the two top motors are IRL PF-L motors) This is the final setup I used, and as far as I can tell, is completely accurate to the final model. Here follows some pics of the individual functions First, the drivetrain and steering: The portal axle reduction gives it a nice and slow speed, but it can be increased both there, and from the motor and down to the axle. The twin small LA's gives it a nice and accurate steering (thanks again, jorgeopesi ), although I would have liked it a bit faster Also, I managed to implement a simple mechanism for a functional sttering wheel : It turns ~90 degrees to either side as the loader articulates Next up is a representation of all the three functions that go to the front: Swinging: Lifting: Tipping: And after all that was figured out, I just needed to build a shell around the thing and but on some wheels! So here it is as it stands today: TA-DAAAA: As you can see, I opted for a much smaller type loader, more akin to the ones you see on construction sites in the city and stuff, and maybe closer to the real SwingLoader brand of swinging loaders It might from the above picture seem like there is a lot of free space from the front of the loader to the bucket.. ...but this is why it has to be like that: This time around, finding a working linkage geometry didn't take nearly as long as last time (even though the entire digger is built from scratch). As you can see on the next picture, it really does tip nicely when on top The battery compartment opens like this, for easy battery replacement: And the doors open up like this, to reveal a IR-receiver/uncomfortable seat for the driver. Second to last, here is the mandatory under belly shot, nothing to fancy about it ...except for the fact that I now see I forgot to put in two 3L friction pins to attach the two yellow 3x5 L-shaped liftarms And maybe the setup for of the rear pendular suspension! I almost forgot about that Making it with two small turntables makes it extremely strong, both when it comes to supporting weight, and stress in the longitudinal direction! This is actually a key factor to the rigidity of the entire rear of the loader! :thumbup: And lastly (well almost, anyway), the tiny tiny tiny detail that makes me loose my sleep: The transmission of power to the lower axle here, as you can see, happens via a part that doesn't exist. That is the 24 tooth end of a 4L differential, that I had to sever from the rest of its body, to keep the lowermost gear from coming ever so slightly in contact with the small LA's when the loader is turning to either extreme. The setup works almost as smoothly with these replaced by 16 tooth gears, but just not quite... So to sum it all up: -Driven 4WD by PF-XL motor -Steered by PF-M motor, via two small LA's -Turning of the digger by PF-M motor, worm gear on turntable -Lifting by PF-L motor, via two LA's -Tipping by PF-L motor, via one LA -Sixth channel open for powered accessories (you can see the output in the last image) -Easy access battery box through openable engine cover -Strong pendular suspension on the rear axle -Four PF-LED lights -Openable doors to the operator's cabin -Adjustable mirrors -Unfortunately no PF-seatbelts for the driver this time All in all I am very pleased with the result, and will try to make a video as soon as possible to show off the functions! And as a final feature, I built a crane attachment, similar to the ones I've seen in pictures like this: Here it is, folded as compactly as possible: And here it is fully extended: As you can maybe spot from the above image, the crane and loader is ready to accept a powered winch somewhere, but I haven't gotten around to designing one that is easy on the eye. This is the reason I put the output from the sixth channel in the cabin, for future additions. And here it is lifting a sort of I-beam: Pheew There you have it! I think I covered most of it, but feel free to post questions, critisism, praise and suggestions on improvements! As I mentioned, I will do my best to make a video of it in action! Thanks! -
It's that time again, I have finished (well, mostly) my latest Swingloader, which is a bit different from the last one Firstly, I have based this one off of a real life loader, namely the Mecalac AS210E, which is the biggest in Mecalac's line of swingloaders. This is what the real thing looks like: And this is my Technic version of the machine: Emphasis on "based on". as there are several differences, mostly due to limited parts availability.. As you can see, it's not articulated, like my Mk II model, but rather has four wheel steering. This apparently makes for a more stabile platform, and that holds true in the world of Lego as well One of the problems with the Mk II was balance when swinging a load to the side, whilst the steering was articulated (?). The vehicle has been finished for a long time, except for the loader assembly. I think I have completely rebuilt the entire thing three times, and tried different geometries a thousand times! Today I got it to work satisfactory, so now I can show you! Technical features: -Four wheel drive, with central differential (not so sure whether this was necessary), powered by one PF XL-motor -Four wheel steering with Ackerman geometry (One PF Servo motor) -Swinging loader (one PF M-motor) -Lifting arm (one PF L-motor) -Tipping bucket (one PF L-motor) Non-technical features: -Openable doors -Openable engine compartment -2 x PF Lights -Fake, driven V6 engine in the rear Making it not articulated made it possible to make it a little more compact, as I wasn't restrained to keeping all motors in the rear of the vehicle, and then routing four axles vertically in line across the articulation point. This is the arrangement of the various motors in the loader: The middle M-motor (the one sitting the right way) is supposed to be a Servo motor (what's taking so long?!), so the output there is actually just a pin hole. The actual output is the #2 orange connector just below it. Also, the worm gear for swinging mechanism is of the new type. I haven't made the digger in LDD yet, so it doesn't go further just yet Anyway, I suppose pictures are due: Good tilting kinematics Driver's cabin is a bit empty as of now... Engine compartment and batterybox Underbelly shot. The central differential is covered by panels Underbelly shot, showing the steering geometry. THe servo is geared 1:1 through three 16 tooth gears, so I had to use 8 tooth gears and studded bricks for the steering to work properly.. I know it doesn't look too good And a short video: So that's about it! Thoughts and critisism and praise is welcome I don't have the time to make a video today, but hope to get one up in the next couple of days! Ans sorry about the sub par photo quality
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When I was fixing my sailing boat earlier this year, there was this odd looking, really old loader standing up where my boat is parked. The unusual thing was the entire loading apparatus seemed to sit on a turntable! Anyways, this was before I rekindled my interest for LEGO, but the image stuck with me, and as I got more confident with the new studless building techniques, as well as my collection grew (I also discovered Bricklink), I decided to try and make one. Been working on this for a month or so, it has been rebuilt two times, and I am many experiences richer. I especially wanna thank Alasdair Ryan and JorgeOpesi for valuable feedback and help! The features are: -Adjustable side mirrors -Openable "doors" -PF seatbelts for the driver -Front and rear PF lights -AWD powered by one PF XL Motor -Steering by two mini LA's, powered by one PF M Motor -Lifting of digger by two large LA's, by one PF L Motor -Tipping of bucket by one LA, powered by one PF L motor -Turning of the digging apparatus by one PF-M motor -Fed by a standard PF Battery box -Pendular suspension on rear axle The creation is not based on a particular real life vehicle (I don't even know if there is something remotely similar-looking), the main goal was to make something presentable, with the desired functions. Pictures: So there we go! I was going to make a video today, but I was suddenly out of batteries for the PF elements! Will try to have one up during the course of the weekend! I'm fairly pleased with the result, seeing as this is my first big MOC with many functions apart from driving and steering