designer-han

Fantastic MOC! Just watch it a couple of time.... and althought it is difficult to catch the mathematics behind it.... just watching the clock in motion is a pleasure. Very Very nice MOC, Technic to the next LEVEL with capitals. Well done! Including the music. And BI's, indeed this would run into so much questions about gearings, adjustments, stalling, and so on....

Hi all, Althought the original 42112 is recently retired on LEGO.com, I had always in mind to design a remote controlled version of the set. Many MOD's are already out-there, so this MOD is not really brand-new, or an early launch ;-) However, I created this MOD based on the Powered-Up system, applied dual rear wheels and improve the steering radius. And, added fuel tanks at both sides instead of the manual crank and swith lever. As the Technic hub has 4 output's, I used the 4th outpu for LED headlights. Finally, I added rear mirrors.... can be handy when driving backwards. Last but not least, I created the Building Instructions, that can be free of charged downloaded via my website: https://www.designer-han.com/lego/42112_RC.htm The instructions do come with the PU code block programming steps; so it should not be that difficult to get things 'up and running' on your smart-device. I know..... not an outstanding new topic, but I like to promote the new PU-system to the community and thought the 42112 is a perfect set for doing so. Hope you like the MOD, and have fun! Remark: Rebrickable and Bricklink XML references are available.

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.

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. 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… 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 ) 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. 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

Hi Jim, very nice and honest review. With clear pictures to explore what's going on inside the CAT. Well done, and will definitly build it. And yes, I agree that this sets equals what Technic is all about, and reminds me indeed of 8275 and 8043 (still have a copy unboxed), but as well to the 8421 Mobile Crane that pulled me out of the Dark-Ages. About the price.... its steep, but in my opinion one have 2 options to choose: 1) Purchase the CAT, and you have a big parts pack to add to your existing inventory to start building your own MOCs / rebuild original Technic models (with a little help of Bricklink). And enjoy PU (yes I prefer PU over PF). 2) Rebuild the model from your existing parts; again with a little help of Bricklink. And finally I fully agree to your statement below; I recognize as well this trend...... another example: 10 years ago we wanted BIGGER models, and now it's TOO expensive. LEGO is about a hobby that comes with a cost, decided by everyone how high that costs may be. I guess TLG needs to balance each new model between # functions, price-tag and licenses. Licenses do drive up the price, but are required to design a 'look-alike' model; and that's what we (AFOLS) want, a real-life looking model. TLG can not just launch a CAT looking model without a CAT license. Anyway, Jim, thanks for all the time your spend in this (and other) reviews! Highly appreciated!

This is SO TRUE...... any to be honest, a waste of time for posters and readers. This is actually one of the things I circle less around Eurobricks topics for new TLC stuff.... lot of complaints in the first time, lot of 'TLC should do this or should do that', 'we should pimp it, MOD it'..... and in the end: many will buy the set as it is ;-) Well, not a positive post this time...... but anyway, life is not always sunshine, lets say: Partly Clouded today :-) Btw: I like the set as it is.

Hi, sorry for the late response. But no, I do not recall strange Servo Motor sounds within my London Bus. Which version did you build? Powered-up or Power Functions?

Nice looking model, simple and elegant in looks and building skills. And with a vintage blink as already mentioned. ;-) A good MOC does not need an 1:10 scale or 1000+ parts..... This one is just Perfect!

Amazing; impressed by the power the vehicle has to push really lots of snow forwards. Good work!!! You mentioned 13 motors; but that requires a 7 PF-IR receivers + battery boxes or 4 PU Technic Hubs as well; but I can hardly see them. I guess you use BuWizz devices to save space in the model and have enough current/power available......

Your absolutely right. The link to Racingbrick helped me a lot either. But still the PU-App is sometimes weird in functions NOT available. If you create your own controls (choose controller type with the BLUE sliders on it; e.g. not the predefined controller ones)..... it is NOT possible to invert the slider input; as the code block WHITE functions do miss the +/- code block. And, on the Slider itself you can only choose return-to-zero, nothing else but fancy colors for your slider.... So, using sliders for drive/steer may result in opposite directions than expected based on your motor position or even/odd gears in the drivetrain. I turned the diff, and it works now okay..... but hey, that's weird. Now the strange thing: IF you selected and EXISTING control (the most right one, within the building scene as background).... and you switch to the coding layout... the +/- code block DOES exists..... Why o Why does LEGO makes it so hard for MOCs...... Another thing what strikes me - already mentioned by Sariel - is the fast overload protection kicks in on the Control+ hub by normal use of a L or XL motor..... I am still in on the fence.... Make a new MOC with PU (as this should be the future!!) or just stay another 1-2 years with PF, even when discontinued on their site for purchasing.... My view is that LEGO is not focussing on the PU-App for MOCs, neither has the IT knowledge to do so....? In the end the sales do not come from MOCs, but from predefined sets with predefined controls. That this rules out the creativity for kids to add their (simple) MOCs with PU motors without having the app shouting 'wrong connection, wrong motor used'.... is probably acceptable for LEGO nowadays.

Added the famous cut-away Blakbird render at the first post; very glad he was willing to perform the rendering task. And knowing that some members really appreciate his renders as well!

It's a while ago that I visited my own post.... Thanks for the nice responses; let me turn back to you for the questions raised. 1) What does the PF switch do? It is used to turn on the PF LED's at the front and rear side of the truck. 2) Non LEGO-parts. Originally I design always with pure LEGO parts, and thus using PF Infra-red. But this has - as we know - major flaws; that's why I add Sbrick to the Building Instructions as well. I might switch to PU definitely, when the App User Interface is improved for programming the controls. 3) Correct that the worm-wheel makes it slow; but, keep in mind that the truck's weight is 4kg. A single LA is able to deal with ~ 1 - 1,5kg; so I really wanted the model to function reliable. The benefit of having a clutch and worm-wheel for each LA is the ability to level the truck automatically, or to synchronize LA's at the end-positions. Using only gears will led to a sort of 'bang-bang' on the end-positions.

Hi Miha, Found this post yesterday, and thanks for the planetary hub io file! I used it for rendering my latest MOC; posted today in the Technic section. It shows the hub as well. Thanks again!

Hi all, It's a while when I posted my latest MOC on this forum. Although I do not post that often, I do read many times the posts on this platform. One post that catch my attention was 'Decreasing number of MOCs' recently. Many the discussions around: we miss good MOCs, we miss the stunning Blakbird renders, are there really no MOCs around, FB versus EB, why are there just only some comments on a post, MOC-ers just use this EB forum for posting for selling BI's, etc, etc. And yes, there is many to say about all of those viewpoints. My take away - as being a MOC designer for almost 15 years around: Building MOCs is for me (and I guess the most of them) a hobby, using your creativity and technical skills to design a model that is appealing, works as designed, fix challenges of flex/bend/gearings (as it is ABS and not metal), overcome PF versus PU engineering (I do strongly believe in PU; but TLC isn't leapfrogging in this market.... unfortunately). Regarding selling of BI's; I never understood why people complain about that, most MOC models out-there do hold a part-count that easily cost above 250-400 euro's from scratch (e.g. if you did not own any part of it). I do know from experience that creating BI's take even more time compared to developing a MOC; and it just not stops with the BI's. Part-lists are required to make it easier to source missing parts. And honestly, I thought do become rich but as Technic MOCs are just a niche market.... it's absolutely not the case at all. And, I do sell mostly 1 BI to China; knowing my MOC will show up within a couple of weeks on AliExpress.... But anyway, I am drifting away. Let's share my latest MOC. This CPT-Truck uses tracks to crawl off-road; CPT stands for Cone Penetration Testing (CPT), a technical methodology to investigate soil types on a certain location. This is being done by pushing cones into the ground, measuring the resistance and friction during penetration. This truck is NOT able to push cones into the ground; I had slightly the idea to design this, but the construction to lift the truck itself was a challenge in itself. The first tries failed, as the truck wobbled on it's tracks, as the LA's are not that stiff at horizontally (they are of course vertically). So, I needed to add additional gearing racks/sliders to mitigate the wobbeling. The tracks itself are designed straight forward. But, both tracks needed to 'grip' around the truck's chassis, and as the space left between the both tracks is 3-5 studs wide... another challenge appeared. How to design a 3 studs wide chassis between the front/rear wheels, have a drive-train, and even a center-diff with PF-motors? The only way was 'up'; so the PF motors needed to go into the shelter. And, as the model is relative heavy (4kgs), the drive-train had to powered with 2 PF XL-motors. The truck is 4WD; and uses the new hubs with planetary gearings. Why? Well, these new hubs do come with a strong CV joint. And, it appears that this hub/CV joint has a broader steering circle compared to the 'traditional' hubs being used in the Porsche, Bugatti models. The downside is that a lot of up-gearing needed to be done, as the planetary hub has significant down-gearing. Not ideal, but it works reliable. Hopefully TLC will design this new hub/CV joint WITHOUT a planetary system. I am looking forward the rebuild my Dump Truck 10x4 into a 10x8 model, RC. Other functions are straight forward; tilting cab, working V8. And, PF LED lights at the front and rear side! Manual functions are opening doors, opening grill and rear shelter door, including a folding stair/ladder. Hope you like the model and learned something about CPT. As far as I know this is the 1st CPT Truck I have seen in Technic on this scale, but maybe I am mistaken. As always, more information to read on my website http://www.designer-han.nl/lego or youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJi8VjvGS28&feature=youtu.be I made some renders with Stud.io / Adobe Photoshop; I have to admit it's just being in the shadow of the Blakbird renders.... but okay, its not that bad I thought.

WoW!!! Really leap-frogging. And very nice to see PU combined with the PF outputs. Although I like PU a lot, the downside is the LED lights stacking.. PF lights can easily be stacked, PU not (yet?). So now we have a solution for this as well without having 2 battery boxes (PU + PF) applied in a model. Just a question: Is 3,0 capable of driving 2 PF XL-motors stacked on 1 PF output? Sometimes I use this (illegal?) way..... and with PF and Sbrick, I never have the current limit kick-in. I assume it will work, given the higher load BU supports.