Zerobricks

As I said before normal U joints would totally fit inside the hub and would be able to carry the power without any friction, since there are no sliding surfaces. As long as the second U joint would be aligned, there wouldn't be any vibrations either. They could also increase the number of grooves from 2 to 4 or 6 to spread the load more evenly. But it seems we got the laziest solution with 2 CV joints per wheel sliding a large portion of the supplied torque into friction and dust.

Your second axle's diff needs to be flipped. I think we need a 42070 help topic pinned, as by so many people having issues with this set's driveline.

If TLG would simply us the already existing cardan joint instead of the CV joint, we could have a much stronger, efficient transmission that works at higher angles.

I noticed CV joints from 42099 are very prone to damage, even at low torque conditions. Here's an example of the CV joint which is visibly damaged after being spun in my hands at maximum angle without the use of any gears or axle to increase torque: Next is a damage done to a CV joint by an old XL motor at some 25 degrees when stalled: Finally I checked my Wildcat which uses the new hubs. The hubs at the rear axle are at some 20 degree angle, here's what happened to the rear wheel drive ones. Mind you, they are powered directly by an RC motor without any additional gearing: Finally I checked the front CV joints, which when steered use the maximum angle the joint allows: I am quite dissapointed by the fact these joints are so easy to damage, compared to the universal joints. The sad truth is, this really limits the use of the new hubs for me. Anyone who built/modified 42099 noticed the same wear, maybe @efferman?

Those poor 8 tooth gears. Reminds me of the same performance and issues I had with my Fox 8x8xx8.

Just use a 5x7 frame like 42030 does.

Drone is launched by an RC motor. Propellers are from 9688 set.

Yes, smaller turntables have less friction and increase ground clearance

I wanted to test out the new planetay hubs in an actual MOC. To do so I took apart the Tiger and make a model that uses 4RC motor and 4 BuWizzes in order to get the maximum amount of juice out of the RC motors. 42099 inspired me to give the model one one, but two pendular axles with independet suspension. A special longitudal swing arm balances the body between the both pendular axles. By having two different suspension systems in one vehicle, the truck can crawl over terrain smoothly without having to push springs and drive fast over rough terrain, absorbing bumps. Total suspensions flex angle is around 45 degrees: I tested different motor setups and confugurations and at the end I decided to use a 1:1 gear ratio from RC motor's slower output to the hub via 3x16 tooth gears. Each motor powers each wheels. You can see the stabilizer arm which holds the body up in red and is connected to each axle and can swing in the center: In order to share the power from front to rear axle when climbing uphill both axles are connected via differentials which also drive the fake V8 engine: For easy access to recharge BuWizzes the whole body can be removed by pulling out 2 axles and a single pin: Performance-vise the Wildcat's gear ratio is set somewhere between Tiger's low and high gear (5,4 from slow RC motor's slow output). There is enough to power to go up 45 degrees obstacles or a pile of blocks like this (Yes it drove over all of them and back down): The only limit to the performance is the thermal protection of the RC motors which can be triggered if you push the model hard. For example driving into a wall at full speed, spinning its wheels on rough ground will quickly overheat the motors. Steering angle of the front wheels is around 30 degrees, allowing for very tight turn radious. If that is not enough the Wildcat can also skid steer. This is the turning radious when driving on a soft sand at full speed: I will post a video of the model when I return from my holidays alosg with detailed animated shots of the unique suspension. Meanwhile enjoy a few more photos of the obstacles successfully crawled over: Regarding the performance of the new hubs... They have their advanatges and drawbacks compared to portal hubs. Advanatages I experienced: High gear ratio. Steering point is inside the wheel. New CV joints allow for high suspensions and steering angles. They are very robust - the model can do wheelies when reversing and accelerating at full speed. Because they are sealed no debrees can enter and hinder performance as with portal hubs. Disadvantages: High internal friction compared to portal ones. High friction and wear at the CV joints, especially in front where there is combination of high steering and suspension angle. Vibrations caused by CV joints. They may be caused by a combination of U joints and CV joints, but none of my previous models had such high vibrations before, even at higher speeds. The hubs are VERY difficult to implement in the model and require a lot of clever techniques. Wheels are not as securely fixed as with portal hub + axle combination. Lower ground clearance. Both sides of the hubs have to be steered in order to keep backslash to a minimum. At the moment I'm not too impressed by new hubs, maybe someone else can comment below with their expereinces? IMO ideal hub would be a portal one with a deeper wheel rim combination and a higher gear ratio.

Found the first BL store to sell the hubs: https://store.bricklink.com/Snoopy34497?itemID=177549385#/shop?o={"invID":"177549385"}

I tested mine powered by XL motor and BuWizz in ludicrous mode. No damage to the hub, but the CV joint did get some cosmetic grooving damage.

I think you can easly swap the large tirntables for small one and add a support in front .I would repalce the free running 16 tooth gears with clutch ones on frictionless pins to reduce friction.

Or you can use a 36 or 32 tooth gear a cuple of pins and pulley wheels to drive both sides directly.

Brillinat idea with suspension, so the axles can swing in pairs. Now we just need an upgrade to the new hubs which will allow for much smoother steering and even more torque.

7. Hex rover The Hex rover's prirmary mission goals are: Travel across rough terrain using it's all wheel drive and rocker-bogie suspension Use the claws to gather and pick up samples to look for suitable minerals Launch the drone to create detailed aerial photographs and terrain readings Take detailed spacial photographs using the high mounted 3D camera This is the Rover in folded configuration. Note the massive radiator used to cool it's RTGs (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radioisotope_thermoelectric_generator). With a confimed successfull landing, the mission begins: You can find the Hex rover's development topic here: And the video of the rover successfully demonstrating it's mission:

For Mission to Mars I decidd to build more of a classical machine - a six wheeled rover. I was heavily inspired by the upcoming Mars 2020 mission (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_2020) and wanted to integrate a drone inside the model. First thing to build were the foldable Rocker-bogie suspension arms, which is unfolded with pneumatics Each bogie featurs a steerable front wheel which is steered using a worm gear mated to a small turntable. Drive power is carried through the turntable to the front wheel. The rear wheels are on their own bogie and are driven by a combiantion of Cv and universal joints: A longitudinal differntial is used on each drivetrain which allows for the speed differences between front and rear wheels when steering. Differential is especially required when steering at 90 degree steering angle, since the rear wheels do not turn at all. A driven differential is used to level the both sides of the suspension arms: Differential allows for the movement of suspension and keeps the body leveled. A single M motor is used to adjust the leveling angle via a worm gear. Suspension in action: In order to unfold the rover, a pneumatic compressor was installed near the front of the body: The same compressor also powers 4 small pneumatic cylinders which open up the tops sides of the rover: A large actuator lifts the base of the 3D camera (placeholder for Wi-Fi camera) on the top and reveals the propeller "drone" inside the rover: Since most rovers include some kind of an arm to dig and check samples, I decided to equip mine with claws. They are able to pick up and lift with the use of a single M motor: And finally the rover can launch the propeller drone using an RC motor powered by BuWizz: Here is the final wrap up of the features and characterisics: 38 x 25 x 15 cm when folded 41 x 25 x 57 cm when unfolded Weighs 1800 grams Powered by 5M, 2L and one RC motor Controlled by 2 BuWizzes Independent all wheel drive with longitudinal differentials Rocker-bogie suspension Pneumatic unfolding Raisable 3D camera arm - placeholder for a WiFi camera Leveling mechanism Drone launcher Working claws Unlimited steering angle And a quick video of the rover in action:

You can mount the front shock closer to the wheel, so suspension is a bit harder and with a higher ground clearance. I had same idea with using H frames to hold suspension arms, it's a perfect part for this purpose. I also suggest you move the steering balls closer to the wheels and extend gear rack to 9 studs to get a better steering geometry,

I rememeber meeting him at Legoworld in 2011. We spent quite some time talking and I was really impressed with his realistic and functional models. My condolences.

I'd use spare wheel as winch knob, it would also explain why the new wheels have cross holes.

Here's a little something we have been working on, ability to control PU with BuWizz app:

I am currently travelling, so I can only answer from the top of my head. Like Igor said, hubs are already preassembled and lubricated, I have no idea what's inside, but my best guess is they are using same planetary gears as new motors use for gear reduction.

You can make it mesh with the new 1 stud long worm gear, you just need half a stud offset.

No, it does not, trust me.

Thank you for trying, mate! Funny enough 3 out of 4 files in the same folder ae corrupted.

No idea what happened, but I can't open or import the following file. There should be only around 2000 peices, so the size is not the issue here. https://www.bricksafe.com/files/Zblj/Lego digital designer models/Wildcat V3.lxf Any help would be appreciated.