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As many people have seen from the Brickworld website, we will again be doing the Fling Things contest.
We will be using the same standard brick “missile” to fling. The missile is a
simple stack of 2X4 bricks in two layers: two 2X4 bricks side-by-side with
another pair of side-by-side 2X4 bricks on top of that that are turned 90°
from the first layer. There are 2 parts to the contest: a distance competition
and an accuracy competition.
Here are the rules:
1. No size limit.ÂÂ
2. Use only LEGO brand pieces. The one exception is that you can use non-LEGO
string. However, the string must be the same style and size as regular LEGO
string (no fishing line, wire, etc.).ÂÂ
3. There will be a line of tape on the
floor for the “firing” line. The line will represent a vertical plane, and your
Flinger has to start entirely behind the line; not just the part that touches
the floor.ÂÂ
4. The Flinger has to use some kind of swinging arm to fling the
missile (no pingpong ball gun style direct-drive firing).ÂÂ
5. You can use
anything LEGO to power your Flinger. LEGO rubber bands, NXT motors, LEGO spring
parts and counterweights are all fair game. Just remember that your Flinger can
be human triggered, but not human powered. (You can’t smash your hand down on a
lever to make it fling.) Triggering your war machine has to be more than just
“letting go”. For instance, if you create an entry when you pull/bend part of it
back to create tension, it has to be able to hold itself that way without you
still holding it.ÂÂ
6. You can enter more than 1 MOC, but you can only win 1
award.ÂÂ
7. If part of your flinger comes apart when it flings the brick
missile, that’s OK, but the attempt will be judged by where the brick missile
lands. If it looks like you’ve designed your flinger to purposely come apart
when it flings the missile, that will disqualify you.ÂÂ
8. If you entered the
contest at Brickworld 2008, and you want to also enter the same creation this
year, your flinger needs to have some significant difference to qualify.ÂÂ
9.
You and your MOC have to be present at BrickWorld to be entered.
If there is some loophole that I have carelessly overlooked, and someone tries
to exploit it, they can still Fling Things, but they will be ineligible for
winning an award.
The 2 parts of the contest will work as follows:
We will begin with the Distance Competition first. Everyone gets 3 attempts.
Everyone in the group will get one turn. Then after everyone has gone once,
we’ll start a second round (like jumping or throwing events at a track meet, for
those who are familiar with that). While others are flinging, you may make
modifications to your entry to adjust it however you see fit.
After the Distance part is done, we’ll do the Accuracy Competition. We’ll use
the same turn taking method for flinging at the target as in the Distance
Competition. The target (a piece of posterboard with circles drawn on it) will
be hung on a small stand, with the center being about 1 foot off the floor. We
will place the target as close as half of your longest distance attempt from
the line or farther.
Each person gets 3 Flings. That’s 3 for the Distance part and 3 for the Accuracy
part (so 6 total if you compete in both parts). We will not average your 3
attempts. We will take your best out of the 3. That way if you have a dud Fling
or a “wild pitch,” it won’t ruin your chances.
Above all, remember--flinging LEGO bricks is FUN whether you win or lose!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I secure my entry onto a baseplate to stabilize it when I launch
stuff?ÂÂ
A: Sure. The baseplate would just be considered a piece of the entry.
Q: Can I be uncreatively lame and enter an actual LEGO set that flings
things?ÂÂ
A: Well, uh... you know what--yes. If you can get an actual LEGO set
to fling the missiles farther and/or more accurately than the MOC’s of the other
contestants, then more power to ya.
Q: Can I make the missile out of stacks of 2X4 plates that take up the same
volume as the bricks?ÂÂ
A: No.
Q: Can I put tiles on the top of the brick missile to make it more
aerodynamic?ÂÂ
A: No.
Q: Can I use the 2X4 bricks with the magnets in them to make the missile
heavier?ÂÂ
A: No.
Q: Can I use a LEGO rock instead of the brick missile, since it looks cooler and
more realistic?ÂÂ
A: No.
Q: Can I use the older style 2X4 bricks that have slightly thicker walls, even
though they weigh 0.3 grams more than modern style 2X4 bricks?ÂÂ
A: Uh...
sure.
David GregoryÂÂ
Brickworld Castle CoordinatorÂÂ
 ÂÂ
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