Subject:
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Re: A query to GBC members, module builders, and technic model builders.
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.robotics
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Date:
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Thu, 27 Jan 2005 15:25:27 GMT
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Original-From:
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Mr S <szinn_the1@yahoo.com{stopspam}>
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Viewed:
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2963 times
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--- Geoffrey Hyde <g.hyde@bigpond.net.au> wrote:
> I've seen a lot of usage of the Technic Link Chain
> and Technic Link Tread in
> your models, and for those of you who use them, I'd
> like to know how much
> would you use of each type on average?
I use the Technic chain to take the backlash out of
gear trains, and to create gear trains in combinations
that are not possible using only gears (due to spacing
of the gears on beams etc.) Where one chain is not
strong enough, clever designs allow for two chains. I
have need for the creations to be very strong. The
chains allow you to create drive mechanisms that
simply are not possible with gears alone, such as
across a distance without the middle gears and the
backlash they introduce, or with gears spaced in ways
that do not allow for gears to mesh. (inclusion of
rotation sensors to my drive train was simplified by
the use of chain links as the rotation sensor did not
have to be close to or part of the drive train)
> The reason I'm asking is I'd like to get some
> comments on the feasibility of
> asking LEGO to return these much-needed pieces to
> Technic Acessory packs so
> people can buy them, and I'd like to find out what
> ideal quantities people
> would like to see them available in.
I'd like to see them available in quantities that
equate to the length of the tractor treads that come
in Mindstorms kits. (about 10 inches) That way you get
a reasonable length, and can easily purchase in that
quantity. I would buy a bucket full if the chain links
were in the under 5 cent per link range (20+ for $1
USD), and/or the conveyor links were in the under 16
cent per link range (7+ for $1 USD).
> I'd also like
> comments on whether they
> could be included with particular types of gear
> wheel and axle, improved in
> some way to make them do their intended function
> better, and anything else I
> may not have thought of.
I would like to see specialty packs of parts. I don't
know what the value of manufacture cost vs. sales
would be, but if the chain link packs came with a 16
and 24 gears that are specially made to mount to
standard or mini/micro servo output shafts, it would
allow for easy inclusion of precision movements to
LEGO creations. Perhaps that is just better for 3rd
party? I'd sure use them. I know servo motors are not
LEGO, but I'd like to see LEGO servo motors too!
It might also be possible for LEGO to manufacture
add-on pieces that clip to the chain crossbars of one
or more links for creating things like the GBC ball
elevators etc. The chain links and treads are already
a bit fiddly, so I don't think this would necessarily
complicate the use of the chain parts.
As I said, using chain, (one, maybe two per drive
train) removes the backlash seen when using gears
only. I have used a combination of Technic chain links
with the conveyor belt links to create a linear
movement along the flat side of the chain movement.
Much like the GBC conveyors but with a movement of
backwards and forwards to produce a linear movement
overall by attaching bricks to the conveyor links.
> I know these are currently available as educational
> spares packs, but the
> quantity in particular of the Technic Link Tread
> concerns me, people do like
> to make tracked vehicles and $10 for 36 seems quite
> expensive. I'd also
> like to know if people would like to see the
> aforementioned types of links
> in a color other than black. I would say a bright
> color, like blue or
> yellow would be good, or perhaps even a transparent
> link color could be
> used.
Black is fine for me. Axles are black (in my
inventory) so black chain works fine.
> So if you build in Technic, and use or want to use
> these, then I'd like to
> hear your comments so they can be put together in a
> request for LEGO to make
> them available as Technic Accessory packs, and
> hopefully with new
> assortments and colors.
I'd like to see specialty drive chain packs, for both
chain and tread links, and that hopefully include
things like the gears that mount to servo motor output
shafts. Perhaps an easy to use spring loaded idler
gear that is one beam width wide.
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