Boxerlego

Now some of this was brought up in a previous discussion and it didn't quite fit there in the end overall so I deiced to make its own topic about it. For me I would love to see alternative steering systems with Technic models. This will add more realism to its functions and include several benefits like having the ability for the tires to return to center due to the weight of the Technic model alone. Think about it, this would remove the need for having that extra stuff for a steering system that can require a whole host of methods that include the use of rubber bands or springs for the wheel return to center. It is now accomplished by weight and the entire LEGO model composed of that. I remember one of the First Technic sets I got as a kid the 8808 and it is funny to me today to still see this rack and pinion steering system still be the dominate choice when it comes to steering elements. Below is a show piece I made to demonstrate another style of steering the Pitman arm steering with a more accurate axle alignment with KPI. I even include a steering wheel for turning function. The way the wheel turns just feels more realistic then the way a rack and pinion steering wheel would feel if you where to turn them. I also want to show a pneumatic steering idea I had. It works but how to remotely control it that is where the problem is.

Thank you DrJB. Here is my steering axle model. Its not really a solution but more along the lines of a show piece.

Well technically Sbrick actually does use the PF connector design and so does BSC but in their own ways, I don't see both products with there own cable connector so therefore both are subsequently using the PF LEGO cable connector. The big difference here BSC PF cable require modification one end to use while Sbrick PF cable requires none but overall both had to buy the PF cable from LEGO. Which brings up the big debate which one is better. I think Sbrick is better when it comes to begin a official product working out of the box of the shelf however I think BSC is slightly better in both design electronics and capabilities. Overall its boils down to this like with anything which one fits your needs better, both products are good choices so what if BSC is slightly better then Sbrick when it comes something or vice versa. You will find out like everyone else. Lets just be thankful enough that Sariel can test both of them and give us this door of perception on them.

Thanks DrJB, for me 3d printed parts is not a good viable option. I have little to no experience about using them. 3D printed parts poses problems within itself to figure out and developing a 3d printed part will just still end up being a prototype for something better.

That's clever idea with the towel. My space saving solution came after I finished eating a pie one day. And ever since then I like to use pie pans as a parts tray to hold my loose parts. I have about 8 pie pans. The great thing about aluminum pie pans is that there flexible enough to bend so you can dump everything in a bag or a box but strong enough to hold a bunch of parts at once.

Sure does. Thanks Sylvian. Here is a look at what I'm building. Its finally got to the point where my idea is taking form. I'm building a 24 magnet pole rotor for my perpetual motion machine The difficult part about this is that here on the rotor the axle is the center support while on my stator a metal hole bearing is there. So far I have came up with two option #1 is keep the LEGO axle and figure out a axle style of connection on the bearing with JB weld #2 is fit the metal hole with a properly sized metal rod and figure out how to mount the 24 magnet rotor on the metal rod. Both ideas pose there own problems however idea #2 poses the most risk to the JB LEGO part I made one while idea #1 poses the most chances of failure, putting JB welding inside a bearing hole with a LEGO bushing inside isn't the smartest idea for a ball bearing I need to find a idea that doesn't involve JB weld here.

@Moz Wow, That is amazing Moz! Nice job I just built this workbench, I got it standing yesterday. I plan to do some more work and add on to it but this is what it looks like so far. Its major step up from my previous LEGO building spots which was a small table along with my bed.

What about Stud connectivity? There are many avenues to go about building with them. Here is just a few?

That looks impressive Grum64. Nice to see your updates. I look forward to seeing more. Keep up the good work.

So its an X-wing after all. Studs give R2D2 some character while the studless make R2D2 look like a radar dome.

Outstanding work! This is incredible! All those linkages and push rods that must been quite the build.

The Gyroscope looks amazing! Fantastic work on designing this Sheo I will say that the gears might have a problem separating the axle joins if there under to much load on them.

Half beams are great. I use them alot as well even that part AndyCW shown. What I like about half beams is that you can fit them on studds and additional you can invert the studd over on a studds with them and this can create unique gear distances. I did this inverted studd technique for a W8 vacuum engine design where I had to join two seperate crankshaft gears together to a central main gear. If you click on this small picture below you can see a much larger image to see the teal half beam I used for this inverted studd join around the two 40 tooth gears with a 36 tooth gear.

That's awesome! Tho, that will be bad for the U-joint if you hit it Jar Jar Binx to hard.

Nice work! You did a great job on it. That is a interesting front end there

I don't have that lightgrey part, I use this gear in substitute for that part. It's a good part and very useful indeed seeing that you used 24 of them.

My favorite building technique revolves around the Axle connections. Probably the most versatile style of building and most ornate. Building with axle is difficult because a whole host of problem can come up like if the axle is not perfectly straight or parts not center along with parts sliding around on the axle or even sliding off. Perfection is key when it comes to building with Axles and a real eye for details must be used. Axles have something most LEGO parts don't and that is Free Play. This adjustability is what I love about them. Axle is the lock and key for Technic. The axle has it strength and weakness. Its strength is that is very customizable and its weakness plays off that being the unwanted disconnection somewhere.

That looks great DrJB! I like those designs. Your right about ideas for a better spindle. The spindle Is going to be tough one and that's not all... another thing that poses a problem is the steering gear. I think the beam axle would be better if it was studdless. The problem behind the axle spindle design is the tire could slip off. A better idea would be the secure pin connection with the wheel but this has a set of its own problems to over come. One miner design problem here is that it is built for CV joints to drive and that just wasted space for this beam axle. One nice thing about the Technic pin is that it can be frictionless and tires can rotate on it. This is used for smaller LEGO designs but here if scaled up for Technic models the single pin needs to be larger to support the large tire and the heavy model. This LEGO method would work out great for this beam axle because nothing is needed to drive the wheel. Now the next part is the drag link steering and tie rods along with the Ackermann steering geometry with the steering arms.

We are thinking about two different type of axles setups. Your are more focused on a independent Front axle setup ,while I am more focused on a dependent beam axle suspension design. Now even though the KPI is way to much here in the LEGO example I have provide a picture schematic for comparison to show what it is I'm referencing too with my LDD LEGO example. Front Beam Axle Picture Schematic

Excellent review! This appears to be very versatile with other areas of the LEGO system other then Technic. Its amazing how you able to make all those kinds of customization to the interface and along with how it controls the individual drive units. Lots of potential here. I have some concerns about the BlueSmartContro around its 9v power supply. We all know that LEGO PF system can only handle a certain amount of motors on one 9v PF battery box. This one is able to handle the load of 6 L motors compared to the 2 LEGO PF system can operate. My guess the additional motor on this is for certain train functions where motor power distribution is quite low then the motor load would be with a Technic 4 wheel vehicle like the 9398.

Thanks for linking to that article about that perpetual motion machine Sylvian. I find the article interesting but it has to be a hoax. The way the article reads in my opinion kinda is telling me this is hoax. Right here something wrong with this sentence in the quote from the article. This Infusion of power what exactly is that. Why not the term charge is used to describe this process what is the advantage of Infusion of power over power charge.

I made a couple of custom motors, I don't really think of them as modifications because nothing is really being altered here. Just some JB weld between LEGO and a motor and that is it. I view them more as a custom Motor build project. This motor below is a modification on the XL motor. This one is an upgrade to the motor but none the less there is a couple things here that need modifying for the end result. http://www.eurobrick...showtopic=78173 When it come to studdless and studded, I usually make the motor to fit with the studless system. Tho I've thought and attempted to make a studdless custom motor for a studded construction however I ran into some problems that made that motor somewhat difficult to fit with the studded construction.

The old set in place held by gravity connection. That is a good one Dr_spock, Lots of LEGO parts can fill this role. Here is another a connection that is unique for LEGO, the Light saber Bar connections. The ideal connection with the bar is usually with a clip like that on the 1x1 brick. However that not the only connection the bar can make and basically any open Studd hole the Bar can make a tight fit with it. Also if you have the right friction pin you can also insert the Bar inside that Technic pin as well but not every friction pin this will work on.

You forgot about the Door rails along with the Bricks that have groves for sliding type connections.

Here is another idea Im going to throw out there that is focused on the simple steering side for LEGO. A part similar like this would be great for a simple construction containing Kingpin inclination angle for the front axle. This part appears more promising for studdless construction but who can really say with out some testing at what form it should take, you could even add a caster angle on this with out shifting the angle of the entire axle member.