DLuders

Zblj made this LDD .lxf file of a "Big Cylinder" for a round castle (to save you time) -- see this Eurobricks topic. The LDD file is posted on his Brickshelf gallery.

In my post above, the words "Extended Mode" have an underline. That denotes a hyperlink to the LDD Extended Mode instructions.

@ darphboubou: Welcome to Eurobricks! Have you activated Lego Digital Designer (LDD) Extended Mode? I did a LDD Extended Mode search for a "damper", and found this 45590 "Technic, Axle Connector Double Flexible (Rubber)" part : Do you mean a Lego Technic SHOCK ABSORBER instead? If so, do an LDD Extended Mode search for "Shock", and they will pop up.

@ 3nslav3: Have you seen this YouTube video of NeaLucille's 6-axis Lego robotic arm? Translated from French to English, the description reads "I test here the operation of 3rd and 4th axis. Later, you will see 5th, 6th axes, as grips it." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsqBZOIVuao

kalab3dd has posted three YouTube videos of his Lego Technic Tutorial series. He uses Autodesk® Inventor® mechanical design and 3D CAD software for his models. He writes about his tutorials on this Spanish website (and this bad English translation). Although the narrative on the videos is in Spanish, one can still appreciate the GREAT CAPABILITIES of this software. If only Lego Digital Designer (LDD) could do this.... YouTube Video 1: Virtual modeling of the Lego Technic 8065 Mini Container Truck set: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXpXagSXqBY YouTube Video 2: "Video tutorial with the basic explanation of assembly for the [Lego] Technic project": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg_TclFDFqM

Burf2000 did "Preview of Rotacaster's 125mm Lego compatible Onmi-Directional wheels. Over twice the size of their 48mm ones and can handle over 100kg per wheel. For people who build big, these cure so many problems and allows you to move away from tank tracks as a solution. I will be building something very soon to show off how awesome these wheels are and do a full review. If you are interested in these wheels please check out http://www.rotacaster.com.au/ ." Here is the link to the link to the US & Canada distributors of the Rotacaster Omniwheels.

Solde/ Solde1 has upgraded his Lego Dual Over-Head Cam (DOHC) Boxer Engine to now operate with 16 VALVES ( ):

TheLegoLG (Laurens Gauwloos) recently posted this -- "This GBC with 10 modules has only 5 motors: 3PF-M motors, 1 PF-XL motor and 1 9V technic motor (old motor). Some modules are self-invented, others came from the Internet."

Oh, sorry about the bad link to the 8421's PDF Building Instructions. They are available in 6 parts on Brickset. Modeling the ETF Advanced Hydro-pneumatic Suspension in Lego will be a big challenge! "Conventional large haul trucks have a limited suspension travel resulting in extreme forces on the main frame. ETF developed an advanced hydro-pneumatic suspension system which compensates the vehicle weight between the individual axle-lines. The extreme long suspension travel of 950 mm protects the main frame from racking (twisting). Another feature of the suspension is a better stability at negotiating curves resulting in higher permissible speeds and thus shorter trip times. The wheels always stay in contact with the road surface for optimal traction." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2FFaBPvvCo

It appears that the ETF Mining Truck uses the same steering setup as the 8421 Mobile Crane (pictured below), so perhaps you could download the 8421's PDF Building Instructions to see how to do it.

beleu1 posted this of his Lego Technic REDWAD 4x4 Truck. He wrote that "This is my latest MOC from January 2012. Transmission with 2 M-Motors and 2 differentials. Steering with RTC [Return-to-Center steering] done with one M-Motor. Using a regular battery box (6xAA) and some PF Lights for fun. Without wheels and body [it] is 26 studs in length and 13 studs wide. With the body and wheel on this video, it is 28 in length and 21 wide."He has 4 pages of photo-sequence BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS on his Brickshelf gallery. It looks a bit like a 1953 Dodge Panel Truck.

@ BobBongo1895: Conchas wrote this excellent TechnicBRICKS TechReview about the Lego Technic Mini Linear Actuator (mLA). Yes, the mini LA has an internal clutch.

I like the idea of a "Eurobricks Technic Competition" that is distinct from The Lego Group's "Technic Challenge" conducted the last two years during March-October. I have the following recommendations: A) The Eurobricks Technic Competition should allow ENOUGH TIME for everyone to complete their MOCs. TLG's Technic Challenge only gave ~18 days in which to: (1) Find out that month's theme, (2) Order necessary parts from Bricklink or Pick-a-Brick, (3) Build the MOC, (4) Photograph it and submit it. 18 days is not enough time for larger MOCs, so people either submitted older creations or nothing at all. 6-8 weeks would be nice. B) AFOLs worldwide might have more "build time" during the late winter months to participate in the Technic Competition (in the Northern Hemisphere, at least). Although the Aussies, Kiwis, and other AFOLs "Down Under" are enjoying their summer now, most AFOLs are cooped up inside with their Lego. C) Yes, a Technic Competition could have a non-traditional theme (Bridges, animatronic Dinosaurs, Cranes, etc. not usually offered as official sets). In order to encourage the most participation, Technic AFOLs could try a MOC that they have never built before.

Recommend buying the Lego Technic 8466 4x4 Off-Roader set. It has the BIG "Power Puller" tires!

Congratulations, Eric! Your website is very useful to a lot of people. Nevertheless, I wanted to send this subliminal message to you:

AVCampos wrote a nice article about the 9397 B-Model on TechnicBRICKS.

At least in the USA, the 8053 Mobile Crane is no longer available from Shop.Lego.com . It seems to have "Sold Out", so the aftermarket price is going up (via the laws of "Supply and Demand").

Yes, Ralph_S is correct -- you could telephone Lego Customer Service ("Lego Direct") by clicking on the "Contact Us" hyperlink on the bottom of the Shop.Lego.com webpage. You will need the Lego Element ID (not the Bricklink Part Number) for your inquiry -- it is 371126. The part appeared in the 2010 Lego Technic 8051 Motorbike set. Please report back here on what price "Lego Direct" tells you. The criteria for ordering parts from "Lego Direct": a) The parts must be from Lego sets sold within the past five years. b) One must know the Lego Element ID (not the Bricklink part number) for the part(s) you want. Use Bricklink to find out what set(s) the part(s) appeared in, then use the Lego Customer Service Building Instructions website to download the PDF file. The visual Parts List is usually on the last few pages of the instruction booklets. The Lego Element ID is that strange code number beneath each part. c) One can order up to 15 different line items (not just 15 individual pieces) at a time. If you want more line items, call back the next day with a separate order. d) Until an item is sold out, there is no limit on the number of pieces ordered on each line item. You need to know the desired color of the parts you want; they may not have all colors available. e) One must use a Credit Card.

Yes, the 3711 Technic Link Chain pieces are sold directly from Lego Education (100 for US $10). You could also get 100 of them for US $16.99 here.

The fellow who runs The Plastic Brick Blog recently motorized his Lego Technic 8070 Super Car set with a Power Functions XL motor, and provided these eight pictures. I agree that using the 8879 PF Speed Control Remote Controller should help with driving the car.

@ Bfahome: You should try to re-install LDD on January 17, 2012 (when there is going to be an LDD program update). There is a chance that it may work on your computer then....

@ bbqqq: It's your decision, but you're exposing yourself to legal action by using the LEGO copyrighted logo on your renderings. On the bottom of the http://www.lego.com webpage, it says: "LEGO, the LEGO logo, DUPLO, BIONICLE, MINDSTORMS, the BELVILLE, KNIGHTS’ KINGDOM and EXO-FORCE logos, the Brick and Knob configurations and the Minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group. © 2011 The LEGO Group. All rights reserved."

Does your Mac meet all of the minimum criteria listed on this LDD download webpage? Did you read through all of the "Troubleshooting Guide -- LDD Startup and Advanced Graphics Problems" topic? "Minimum System Requirements for Mac Operating system: OS X 10.5.8 or higher CPU: Intel processor Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce 5200/ATI Radeon 7500 or better RAM: 1 GB Hard disk space: 1 GB"

@ SNIPE: Have you seen the various Torsen Differential designs on this TechnicBRICKS article?

The trailers are good for transporting T-Rex Dinosaurs to/from Jurassic Park -- take your pick: