DLuders

@ johnnyvgoode: Who knows? It seems that the LEGO CUUSOO Team is making up the rules as they go (even though they had a "Beta" version for many months to work out the kinks).

There's not a lot of wasted space in this MOC! Thanks for sharing the LDD .lxf files. I like how the back window grate can be rotated upwards to access the Power Functions battery box. The shape of the Red Heat reminds me a bit of a dirt track racer:

@ Dread: You were supposed to send an EMAIL to the Eurobricks staff. Their e-mail address is underlined above (right-click on the underlined word "staff" in CorneliusMurdock's post above, look at the "Properties", and you will see the e-mail address).

The "explanation from Lego" can be found on the official LEGO CUUSOO Blog. There are now two in a 3-part series of articles there explaining the entire CUUSOO process. Article 1 (May 14, 2012): "Projects Reaching 10,000 Supporters Will Now Be Reviewed Quarterly" Article 2 (May 22, 2012): "The Quarterly LEGO Review: How does it work?" Article 3 (May 30, 2012): "Tips for increasing your project’s chances of passing the LEGO Review with flying colors!"

US $885.00 (~706.0486 Euros) in 29 bids so far, with 31 hours to go!

On this new TechnicBRICKS article, Fernando Correia talks more about the 9396 Helicopter's B-Model (pictured above): "This B-model for the helicopter (another helicopter) is probably the most unexpected piece of information we got in this round. An helicopter with intermeshing rotors is definitely something new in the LEGO Technic products range. Intermeshing rotors on a helicopter are a set of two rotors turning in opposite directions, with each rotor mast mounted on the helicopter with a slight angle to the other, in a transversely symmetrical manner, so that the blades intermesh without colliding. The arrangement allows the helicopter to function without the need for a tail rotor besides we got one in this particular model also at an unconventional orientation. This configuration is sometimes referred to as a synchropter."

@ VASH321: At the 2:48 portion of you mentioned above, it says "Improved design from Jernej Kremlj" (who is "ZBLJ" on this forum). His Vector Racer Mecanum wheels are found in his Brickshelf gallery (complete with Lego Digital Designer (LDD) .lxf Building Instructions file). His YouTube video shows the in action:

@ jetboy: You should visit the Mindboards Forum (which arose from the ashes of NXTasy.org).

(Sigh): From the LEGO CUUSOO Feedback page: "Decision on the IP's fit with the LEGO Brand" 2012.05.23 "First and foremost, congratulations to Mahj for reaching achieving over 5,000 supporters! LEGO CUUSOO gives the opportunity for adult LEGO fans to submit product ideas. Our team loves the original Tachikoma model and the ARAKN3 variants, they're cute, detailed, and very functional. "In light of the recent clarification of our Brand Standards for appropriate LEGO products, it is clear that the IP Ghost in the Shell is not a brand fit for the LEGO Group and this project had been scheduled for removal from LEGO CUUSOO on those grounds. "Having seen the recent projects denied in the LEGO Review as well as the Brand Standards blog post, Mahj in good faith contacted us to see if anything can be done to preserve his project. Initially we did not see an issue with altering the project to not reference the Ghost in the Shell series, with the understanding that should this reach the Review stage, our team would note the nature of the first 5,000 supporters in the business case. "At first we told him he could edit the project to abandon Ghost in the Shell and keep the supporters earned. Admittedly, in this attempt to be kind to one person, we lost sight that this was in fact being unfair to others who have had their projects denied or removed without recourse due to an IP the LEGO Group deems inappropriate for our brand. While it hurts us to go back on what we told Mahj, the right thing for us to do in this situation is apologize, archive this project, and welcome him to submit his new ARAKN3 models as a new LEGO CUUSOO project. "So, Mahj, we're very sorry about the situation we caused by first telling you that you could keep your supporters, and now retracting and archiving this project. Your new ARAKN3 models present no brand-fit problems that we see, and if you still wish, you are welcome to submit them as a new project. We have learned an important lesson about fairness here, please understand that we need to also consider others and the greater good of the LEGO CUUSOO community when applying our standards. "We are learning as we grow. As we blaze new trails, as we nurture this very special community, and work on long-term improvements, we will make mistakes. We hope that all of you will bear with us through this process. Know that it truly is our desire to give you an opportunity to make your LEGO wishes come true by presenting new product concepts that connect with audiences who want them, and then turning your ideas into great LEGO products. -- "The LEGO CUUSOO Team" SO, the 5,000+ supporters could support Mahjqa's NEW project here (a Work In Progress):

@ Saberwing40k: Sure, I'd like to see more! What is the set of 8 black Technic ball-and-socket connectors (in the last picture above) used for -- are they "shift gates" for the transmission?

On this TechnicBRICKS article, Fernando Correia has a nice analysis of the (Aug 2012) 9398 4x4 Crawler set. "So we have: "•PF-Servo Motor: There is one of it in the Crawler and it might be the one in the center of the model. So we get one for steering both front and rear axis. "According to previous descriptions from those who have seen it, it should allow an axle to pass through, or at least allow to connect two axles - one in the front and another from the back!? Honestly I prefer to wait and see it, before entering into more considerations, because the image still suggests several possibilities. "Looking at the connection head, it looks to have a 3x5 oblong shape with multiple connections, also in orthogonal axis. It makes me also think it might be a strong servo. "It remains to know whether it is a Full CW [clockwise]/ Full CCW [counterclockwise], or it supports PWM [pulse-width modulation] control for intermediate positions. And whether it implements return to center, or not? "Nevertheless with the IR [infrared] remote used in this model, here it might behave like full CW / CCW mode. "•PF-L Motor: Well, finally the missing 'L' in the PF motors range. These might go to the front and rear axis, to drive the Crawler and do all the heavy work! "Guess they will run at moderate speed, but with high torque. Although I don't see a significant internal planetary reduction gearing fitting inside this... "The several pin connections available, from orthogonal axis (very welcomed) also suggest a strong motor that needs steady fixation anchors. "Just looking to put my hands on, to dissipate all doubts I still have about these... "It is also good to see the 36T Double Bevel, returning into a Technic set."

On his Flickr photoset, ZetoVince posted this Lego Technic mini Trophy Truck. He wrote, "I came up with this truck while I was working on a new suspension technique for minifig (or not) vehicles! I have to admit that I was influenced a lot by a Lego set....It was always on my mind to make a trophy truck or a prerunner but I was not satisfied with the fenders I was using. But when I saw the first pics of 6867 Loki's Cosmic Cube Escape I knew I would use that kind of fender on my trophy truck! "Trophy Truck (breakdown stuff)" -- the picture below shows: "-how the chassis is connected to the frame -how the suspension works and -what the rear wheels are made of" "You can see that changing the grey liftarms with other longer or shorter ones it can fit under many vehicles of different size!" See his Brickshelf gallery for more images.

Yes, indeed -- 18 bids (so far) and US $565.55 (~442.943 EUR) bid to make a dying child's dream come true! Only 3 days 8 hours left in the auction (May 26, 2012 14:39:30 Pacific Daylight Time).

As reported on The Brick Fan website, here is an explanation by The Lego Group about the Lego Cuusoo Review process: "LEGO has explained on their blog how the LEGO CUUSOO Review works. Sets that have reached the required 10000 supporters are now review quarterly in the months of March, June, September, and December by the LEGO Jury. The “Jury” is made up of many different members including the LEGO CUUSOO project team, model designer, graphic designer, and a few people from management just to name a few. "After a set has reached the review stage, there are four phases that it goes through: Brand Fit Analysis, Business Case Development and License Agreements, Model Design, and Final Review. LEGO states there are no definite timeframes because some sets are easier to review and get everything together faster than others. "In the first phase, the Brand Fit Analysis determines if a set is appropriate for LEGO and their customers. This usually takes around 2 weeks or so. If projects do not pass this stage, then it will not be looked at any further. Examples of projects that are rejected in this phase are The Winchester and Firefly Serenity. "In the Business Case Development and License Agreements phase, the Jury determines if the project is feasible financially for the company. They also get the appropriate licenses for the sets. Because this takes a while to obtain, it may take months before this phase is completed. "For the Model Design phase, the LEGO designers creates models similar to the LEGO CUUSOO project that are in review. Here LEGO considers the playability factor or “Play Promise” for the set to their customers. This phase goes on at the same time as the Business Case Development and lasts about 3-4 weeks. "During the final review, when the previous phases have been completed, LEGO reviews the projects and make a final decision on whether they will produce it or not. Shortly after, they will make the official announcement. "LEGO has done a fantastic explanation of how the whole process goes after a project has reached the required 10000 supporters on LEGO CUUSOO."

@ TechnicFreak: Yes, the 57779 "Yellow Crane Arm Outside, New Wide with Pin Hole at Mid-Point" came with the 8270 Rough Terrain Crane set (per this Bricklink Parts Inventory). That part also came in these 13 sets (in yellow, and other various colors).

@ Lost_In_Noise: Blakbird's magnificent collection can be seen on his Brickshelf gallery.

For those not familiar with the "Ax Men" TV show, here are the machines:

neomomonga posted this of a Lego Technic model of a TOMY ARMATRON toy robot transmission. The original Japanese blog entry has been translated into English here: "How it works....I say that "planetary gear" is used in the video....I made one 3-speed missions: Neutral, slow, but constant velocity....Shift change is surprisingly light. Do not need the power."

@ haberg: You may find a more appreciative audience in the Eurobricks LEGO Town Forum. If you include your Lego Digital Designer (LDD) .lxf file, you can post it on the Eurobricks Digital Designer Forum.

I guess that's why you're "Crazy about Lego" -- your Avatar says that you're from the Country "Luna", so that makes you a "lunatic"!

nanoserwich posted this of this BIG Lego Great Ball Contraption at BrickMagic 2012:

[bUMP] reshikrom786 uses Mahjqa's idea about using Lego packaging as boat floats on this new YouTube video. He demonstrates TWO 100% Lego (Technic) Racing Boats -- one with Power Functions motors and another one with Lego RC Buggy Motors: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxzOU5YIT-s

bl8pro recently posted this of his Lego Technic RC Supercar. He wrote on his Brickshelf gallery, "This is a simple RC supercar. It's driven by a single RC buggy motor and uses one PF M motor for steering. The car features full independent wishbone suspension, opening doors and hood and a working V8 engine." More pictures are on his Flickr photoset.

mazinger_zet (Mazinger Zetto alias Samuel (samsky76)) just posted this Lego CUUSOO proposal for new Lego Technic parts. He describes them at length (in English and Italian), but would you find them to be useful in your Lego Technic creations? Why or why not? He wrote, "I really like Japanese animation in particular robots 70-80 years, manga, Marvel and DC heroes and comedy and science fiction and adventure. My projects have shared the same basic characteristics: that aesthetics and playability transformability = + mobility + resistance. "To do this, some pieces Lego have been suitably modified for use in small sizes as those of my models of 21 cm in height. "These pieces may be useful for all Lego fans, especially the solutions that I found for the joints of the neck, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees and ankles. Very useful would also "tail modified" to turn, I have called the "tail Technic". "In addition to have a playability (so that the bricks do not fall off under the effect of the moments of the forces) the bricks are not to be mounted one above the other as the walls of a house, but by turning. This way of building, however, unlike the classical way, means that the view of the rear is not smooth. To work around this problem, I invented a way to hook the bricks so that all sides are smooth. The only time I've applied it in some parts of the robot Shardan .. There are several options to do that Lego could consider .. "If you tie it to take into consideration my solutions will be beneficial to all those who love to build but would like to do it in small dimensions. For this I hope you will give me your support. Thank you!" "Here are some of the pieces that could be made from Lego. Some of which I used in my work. "However, Lego will then want to do or what not. It 's also likely that some pieces they have already planned, I can not know this. Here I put all the variations that come to mind." "Here are some of the pieces that could be made from Lego. Some of which I used in my work. However, Lego will then want to do or what not. It 's also likely that some pieces they have already planned, I can not know this. Here I put all the variations that come to mind."

I think you need to drive over to the Lego production facility in Kladno, Czech Republic to get them! Seriously, I think your idea is an "elegant solution" to the problem of 3-dimensional warping of Roller Coaster tracks. Lego train tracks are expensive, but Technic Pin Joiners are common. One could even order them in bulk from "Lego Direct" (Lego Customer Service). You will need the Lego Element ID (not Bricklink Part Number) for The Lego Group to fill an order: Bricklink 62462 "Technic, Pin Connector Round with Slot (Pin Joiner Round)" -- Lego Element ID 4526985: