LOAD3R

Two projects in one month! Normally I don't work this fast XD Anyway, this is a remote-controlled loader, aptly named LOAD3R. It does the expected functions: drive, steer, bucket and arm movements. The difference is that this little machine is that it accomplishes those four functions using only the two EV3 servomotors, with the M-motor switching between two modes: Drive and Load. This ability is inspired by the Power Functions Motorized Excavator set from a few years back. 

In the above picture, the two yellow shafts are movable along a length of 3M to switch between Drive and Load, driven by the red driving shafts at the bottom. Four shaft outputs lead to the drive and steering (blues), and arm and bucket control (greens). 

Drive Mode:

Load Mode:

Shown above are the two modes of operation, where the driving shafts (bright red and green) drive the corresponding functions (dark red and green) depending on the position of the switching gears (yellow).

This time round I didn't have access to Technic transmission components to help reduce the size and complexity of LOAD3R. Hopefully I'll be able to source the pieces for the next time I need to reuse the mode-switch function.

ORANG3

First project of the year is this little guy. Built to make use of some orange threads gifted by my dearly beloved, hence the name ORANG3.

While I was at it, I tested out an idea for simple EV3-to-NXT communication, as a workaround around the fact that the NXT cannot be wirelessly daisy-chained to the EV3. The EV3 controls movement and signals to the NXT, which in turn controls the arms and shooting launcher. A 2x2 checkered square step-rotated at 180 degrees connects to the NXT colour sensor, registering the colour change and performing an action. 

 

With only one communication method, ORANG3 can't do much at once, but actions can be programmed sequentially, each triggered by the colour change. In this incarnation, ORANG3 is programmed to raise its shooting arm, fire the launcher, lower the arm, and raise/lower its other arm, in that order. Movement is IR remote-controlled, though it would be easy to run it autonomously. The non-shooting arm aso has an EV3 colour sensor that's only decorative, but can definitely be programmed to enable more functions. 

As is, ORANG3 is more of a proof of concept about physical EV3-NXT communication. Maybe in another project I'll figure out how to increase the number of signals the EV3 can send to the NXT.

"Where the rubber meets the road"

Good thing I don't have much of an audience yet. Nobody likes to wait six month for a content update.

Some of the first models I put together with either version of Mindstorms sets were cars. Specifically supercars. Here's a Pagani Zonda Cinque on the Mindstorms NXT:

And on the EV3, here's a Lamborghini Veneno

Functionally, they're both the same car with different bodies. The Zonda could self drive for a bit with the sensors, and the Veneno was remote controlled.

Something to look forward to: A fully automated self-driving car. One of these days mate, one of these days.

UPDATE: I made LDD files. By popular request. Here they are:
Pagani Zonda NXT: https://app.box.com/s/fuspby9ea74f5w1etoeababsk8rfgg7c
Lamborghini Veneno EV3: https://app.box.com/s/ee7bka53ba6spg55mb3ksscht5do43z6

"Hey buddy!"

Hey everybody!

Reventist here, on the blog that bears my name. It's a little place to show off my Lego creations. And talk about Lego stuff as well. I've been at it since I was a kid, so Lego is pretty much a huge part of my life. I used to have another blog that I used to talk about my Lego stuff, but that once was more of a mix of life stuff. This one is way more focused, and will talk about nothing else but the brick.

Right now it's a little empty here, but stay tuned. There will be creations from the past, present and future on here; stuff built from way back when to far away from now.Some of my past works are available on Flickr and YouTube through the links in the upper left corner. Some of them might even get featured and described here sometime. So be sure to check back every now and then.

Well then, to start things off, here's something quick I put together late last year.

This little BugBot was a rebuild of a version that I did using the Lego Mindstorms NXT kit. The updated one in the picture is built with the new Mindstorms EV3 kit released in fall of last year. Naturally I obtained the kit on the very day that it was released worldwide.

It's a very simple bot. Moving forward with its middle legs while avoiding obstacles using the IR proximity sensor as its "eyes". I built the NXT version after watching it in action in one of the NXT commercials. The EV3 version is just a rebuild, with much of the same functions, except for the remote control function with the new IR sensor. Below is the video of it in action, though remote control functions  are not shown because I just wanted to test the bot.

Well, that's it for this one. Until next time, for more bricks and bots.