The Unofficial LEGO Technic Builder's Guide by Kmiec, Pawel Sariel -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Title Page Copyright Page About the Author About the Tech Reviewer Brief Contents Contents in Detail Preface Acknowledgments Where to buy LEGO pieces? Part I: Basics

Chapter 1: basic concepts

speed torque power friction traction rolling resistance backlash efficiency vehicular concepts

driveshaft drivetrain driveline turning radius FWD, RWD, 4×4, 4WD, and AWD steering lock ground clearance suspension travel camber angle caster angle toe angle weight distribution center of gravity

Chapter 2: basic units and pieces

the Technic brick pins, for joining and rotating beams, the studless alternative the half stud as the minimum building unit tricks with bricks

Chapter 3: studless or studfull?

LEGO evolving studfull building

reinforcing studfull constructions studfull advantages studfull disadvantages

studless building

creating rigid studless connections studless advantages studless disadvantages

combining the styles

get inspired by Technic sets methods for connecting bricks and beams even vs. odd

Chapter 4: axles, bushes, and joints

axles

standard axles modified axles flexible axles

bushes

half bush regular bush bush with a long pin

universal joints

Chapter 5: wheels

what makes a wheel tires

shape solid vs. hollow material

size matters beyond the basics

experimenting with rim and tire size when LEGO tires are not enough

Part II: Mechanics

Chapter 6: gears and power transmission basics

drivers, followers, and idlers gear ratios gear ratio quick reference efficiency and gears backlash and gears controlling rotational direction an inventory of gears

worm gear 3L worm gear 8-tooth gear knob wheel single-bevel 12-tooth gear double-bevel 12-tooth gear 14-tooth gear 16-tooth gear 16-tooth gear with clutch double-sided 16-tooth gear with clutch single-bevel 20-tooth gear single-bevel 20-tooth gear with pin hole double-bevel 20-tooth gear 24-tooth gear 24-tooth gear with clutch 24-tooth gear with crown 36-tooth gear 40-tooth gear Hailfire Droid wheel gear differential gears turntables obsolete gears

Chapter 7: chains and pulleys

chains pulleys string and pulley systems

simple pulley system differential pulley system power pulley system

Chapter 8: levers and linkages

levers

classes of levers from levers to linkages

linkages

Chebyshev linkage Hoeken’s linkage pantograph Peaucellier–Lipkin cell Sarrus linkage Scott-Russell linkage scissor linkage Watt’s linkage

Chapter 9: custom mechanical solutions

a stronger differential differential locks a custom differential an axle with a differential lock ratchets linear clutches eccentric mechanisms Scotch yokes a scotch yoke Oldham couplings an oldham coupling Schmidt couplings stepper motors Geneva mechanisms a Geneva mechanism reverse lights flashing lights turn signals complex turn signals double-axle turntable transmission a double-axle turntable transmission a sturdy universal joint a universal joint

Chapter 10: the LEGO pneumatic system

the Old system the New system the V2 system an inventory of pneumatic parts

pumps control modules cylinders miscellaneous parts

modding the pneumatic system

non-LEGO hoses non-LEGO airtanks removing springs to create motorized compressors pneumatic suspensions turning your pneumatic system into a hydraulic one

Chapter 11: pneumatic devices

motorized compressors a rocking compressor motorized valves autovalve a motorized valve an autovalve electro-pneumatic switch PF Servo–controlled valve an electro-pneumatic switch a PF Servo–controlled valve automated pressure switch pneumatic engines a single-cylinder engine a two-cylinder pneumatic engine a two-cylinder pneumatic engine with sliders builder showcase a working water pressure pump

Chapter 12: building strong

why things fall apart

finding weak links understanding where to reinforce

the right way to reinforce

things to remember when reinforcing

reinforced differential casings four reinforced differential casings reinforced worm gear casings three reinforced worm gear casings load-bearing structures

rails, chassis, and body frames trusses a simple triangular truss choosing the right truss

choosing the strongest pieces

Part III: Motors

Chapter 13: an inventory of LEGO motors

2838, the first 9V motor 71427, a popular and powerful 9V motor 43362, a lighter 9V motor 47154, a 9V motor in a semitransparent housing Micromotor MINDSTORMS NXT motor MINDSTORMS EV3 Medium motor MINDSTORMS EV3 Large motor Power Functions E motor Power Functions M (Medium) motor Power Functions L (Large) motor Power Functions XL motor Power Functions Servo motor RC motor watertight motor (old) watertight motor (new)

Chapter 14: LEGO power Functions system

manually controlling motors remotely controlling motors power supplies

AA battery box AAA battery box rechargeable battery

receiver remotes

basic remote speed control remote the speed control feature

modifying the remotes a basic remote with steering wheel a basic remote with sideways lever a speed control remote with central steering wheel linear actuators

large linear actuator small linear actuator linear actuators vs. pneumatics

extension wires miscellaneous elements

switch LED lights

Chapter 15: the RC system

overview of the LEGO RC systems RC proper system and its components

the control unit the remote the steering attachment motors putting it all together

RC system vs. PF system

Part IV: Advanced Mechanics

Chapter 16: wheeled steering systems

basic LEGO steering systems

return-to-center steering Ackermann steering geometry a simple steering arm with Ackermann geometry convergence of axles

steering with virtual pivots

a small virtual pivot steering system a large virtual pivot steering system

Chapter 17: wheeled suspension systems

driven axles suspension systems: concept and categories types of suspensions

double-wishbone independent suspension Tatra-type suspension pendular suspension trailing arm suspension (floating axle suspension)

wheel hubs and how to use them

a pre-2011 wheel hub a regular wheel hub a steered wheel hub a portal wheel hub

driven and suspended axles

pendular suspension with turntables a stabilized pendular suspension portal axles (geared hubs) a stabilized pendular suspension with a portal axle a Tatra-type suspension stabilized with four shock absorbers an independent suspension a floating axle with four links

steered and suspended axles

a pendular steered axle an independent steered axle

driven, steered, and suspended axles

an independent axle a heavy-duty pendular portal axle a pendular axle with a worm gear

Chapter 18: tracked vehicles and suspensions

rubber tracks hard plastic tracks tracked wheel systems suspension systems

bogies trailing arms suspension with shock absorbers trailing arm suspensions with torsion bars

experimenting with road wheels custom heavy-duty tracks a custom heavy-duty track

Chapter 19: transmissions

types of transmissions how LEGO transmission driving rings work transmission designs

2-speed synchronized transmission 2-speed linear heavy-duty transmission 2-speed RC motor transmission 2-speed orbital transmission 2-speed ratchet transmission 3-speed linear transmission 4-speed double-lever transmission 4-speed synchronized transmission 4-speed sequential RC synchronized transmission 5-speed linear transmission 10-speed synchronized transmission continuously variable transmission

distribution transmissions a 2-speed synchronized transmission a 2-speed linear heavy-duty transmission a 2-speed RC motor transmission a 2-speed orbital transmission a 2-speed ratchet transmission a 3-speed linear transmission a 4-speed synchronized transmission a 4-speed sequential RC synchronized transmission a 10-speed synchronized transmission a continuously variable transmission

Chapter 20: adders and subtractors

hard-coupling coupling motors with adders

summing torque with an adder adding more than two motors

subtractors

why use a subtractor? longitudinal subtractor a longitudinal subtractor transverse subtractor a transverse subtractor a studless transverse subtractor

Chapter 21: planetary gearing

LEGO annular gears a planetary gear system with a turntable a planetary gear system with the #64712 wheel gear ratio and planetary gearing advantages of planetary gearing

Chapter 22: 3D printing

in the land of unlimited possibilities

modifying existing designs complementary LEGO pieces third-party adapters specialized real-world designs

the downsides of 3D printing getting started with 3D printing

printing your own working with a vendor

Part V: Models

Chapter 23: form vs. function

cars trucks motorcycles tracked vehicles aircraft

planes helicopters

Chapter 24: scaling a model

blueprints points of reference scaling

Chapter 25: the modeling process

size matters wheels other circular elements colors devil in the details

building at odd angles building cleverly

the next step: controlling your models

Afterword Index Updates and Additional Resources What Will you Build?

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