lego
helicopter-demonstrator. We think that the idea of demonstrating
the working of a helicopter with a balance can be extended to other movements
of a helicopter as well. We are currently doing experiments with an improved
control and a new balance to demontrate lift, landing and cyclic control. This
month, september 2002, I discovered a very beautifull model by Ross
Crawford that shows all the controls! Why haven't I seen his model earlier
? .
Lego
simulation of car-movement after a crash. I think it is easier
to make a software model that predicts the following movement than a LEGO-car-model
for the following movement. The speed was 60 Km /hour. During a very short time
the driver had to steer and brake simultaneously. The brake for the left front
wheel was disabled. After this time both brake and steer were left out of control
by the driver. Click image to see an introduction.
Challenges
I haven't dealt with yet.
Lego cars with automated gearing. The
idea is to use the resisting force that slows down the car or even blocks the
motor for switching gears. A very nice demonstration model is constructed by
Jeff Jahr
Continuous variable transmission. Explanations
and one solution is given by Rob Stehlik
Omnidirectional wheel. Mark Warren pointed
me to Acroname's
omnidirectional wheel. Their Palm Pilot Robot Kit (PPRK) uses these wheels as part of a Killough
platform. This might provide another way to create wheels for Lego® holonomic
platforms.