the lego power functions idea book: cars and contraptions

T H E F I N E S T I N G E E K E N T E R TA I N M E N T ™

www.nostarch.com

This book is not authorized or endorsed by the LEGO Group.

Shelve in: hobbieS/leGo $24.95 ($28.95 CDN)

This second volume of The LEGO ® Power Functions Idea Book, Cars and Contraptions, showcases small projects to build with LEGO Technic gears, motors, gadgets, and other moving elements. You’ll find hundreds of clever, buildable mechanisms, each one demonstrating a key building technique or mechanical principle.

You’ll learn to build four-wheel drive cars, adorable walking ‘bots, steerable tanks, robotic inchworms, and cars that can follow the edge of a table!

Each model includes a list of required parts and colorful photographs that guide you through the build without the need for step-by-step instructions. As you build, you’ll explore the principles of gear systems, power translation, differentials, suspensions, and more. cars and

contraptions

ca

rs an

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on

traptio

ns v

OLu

mE 2

Y o s h i h i t o i s o g a w a

the LeG

o po

wer Fu

nc

tion

s idea

Boo

k

the LeGo power

Functionsidea Book,

®

ImagIne. Create. Invent. now, what wIll you buIld?

yoshIhIto Isogawa

is a LEGO luminary with 46 years of building

experience. In addition to running Isogawa

Studio, Inc., he regularly holds LEGO work-

shops, lectures at schools and

science museums, and creates

LEGO models for events and

exhibitions. He is the author of the LEGO® Technic Idea

Book series and The LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 Idea Book

(No Starch Press), as well as many Japanese-language

LEGO titles.Y

os

hi

hi

to

i

so

ga

wa

®

The LeGO® POwer FuncTiOns idea BOOk cars and cOnTraPTiOns

cars and cOnTraPTiOns


The LeGO®

POwerFuncTiOnsidea BOOk

VOLUME 2

The LEGO® Power Functions Idea Book, Volume 2: Cars and Contraptions. Copyright © 2016 by Yoshihito Isogawa.

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or

mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the prior

written permission of the copyright owner and the publisher.

First Printing

19 18 17 16 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

ISBN-10: 1-59327-689-3

ISBN-13: 978-1-59327-689-8

Publisher: William Pollock

Production Editor: Riley Hoffman

Cover Design: Beth Middleworth

Photographer: Yoshihito Isogawa

Author Photo: Sumiko Hirano

Developmental Editor: Tyler Ortman

Technical Reviewer: Sumiko Hirano

Proofreader: Fleming Editorial Services

For information on distribution, translations, or bulk sales, please contact No Starch Press, Inc. directly:

No Starch Press, Inc.

245 8th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

phone: 415.863.9900; [email protected]

www.nostarch.com

The Library of Congress has cataloged the first volume as follows:

Isogawa, Yoshihito, 1962-

The LEGO power functions idea book / by Yoshihito Isogawa.

pages cm

Summary: “A compilation of small projects to build with LEGO Technic parts, including gears, motors, gadgets, and

other moving elements. Contains step-by-step building instructions for rack-and-pinion steering systems, sliding

doors, grasping claws, and ball-shooting devices. Explores principles of simple machines, gearing, and power

translation”-- Provided by publisher.

ISBN 978-1-59327-688-1 -- ISBN 1-59327-688-5

1. Machinery--Models. 2. Power (Mechanics) 3. LEGO toys. I. Title.

TJ248.I863 2016

621.8--dc23

2015021881

No Starch Press and the No Starch Press logo are registered trademarks of No Starch Press, Inc. Other product and

company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. Rather than use a trademark

symbol with every occurrence of a trademarked name, we are using the names only in an editorial fashion and to the

benefit of the trademark owner, with no intention of infringement of the trademark.

LEGO®, MINDSTORMS®, the brick and knob configurations, and the minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group,

which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse this book.

The information in this book is distributed on an “As Is” basis, without warranty. While every precaution has been

taken in the preparation of this work, neither the author nor No Starch Press, Inc. shall have any liability to any person

or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information

contained in it.

ContentsIntroduction · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 1

PART 1 • Vehicles

Driving wheels with a motor · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 4

4WD cars · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 22

Each motor turns a wheel · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 32

Caster wheels · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 44

Steering with the servo motor · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 50

Differential gears · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 68

Crawlers · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 82

Cars that spin something · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 92

Cars that move something · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 104

vi Contents

Cars with suspension · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 114

Five different bases for a small car · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 132

Cars that react · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 148

Cool cars · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 172

PART 2 • Moving Without Tires

Two-legged walkers · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 196

Four-legged walkers · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 208

Six-legged walkers · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 220

Cool walkers · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 224

Moving like an inchworm · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 234

Moving through vibration · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 240

Moving in other ways · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 244

Contents vii

PART 3 • Special Mechanisms

Intermittent motion · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 250

Smooth changes of rotation speed · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 256

Switching rotational direction · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 264

Changeover mechanisms using a switch · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 272

Transmissions · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 288

Changeover mechanisms using rotational direction · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 308

Parts list · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 314

IntroductionThis is an idea book, offering hundreds of projects and mechanisms you can build with LEGO Technic parts. The book especially focuses on LEGO Power Functions, which is the latest version of the Technic system of motors, lights, and other electric building elements.

Where Are the Words?Other than this brief introduction and the table of contents, this book has almost no words. Instead, you’ll find a series of photographs of increasingly complex models, each designed to demonstrate a mechanical principle or building technique.

While the book lists the pieces needed to build each model, it does not include step-by-step building instructions. Look at the photographs taken from various angles and try to reproduce the model. Building in this way is something like putting together a puzzle. You’ll get the hang of it after a little practice.

The Use of ColorThe examples in this book are made with parts of various colors to make it easier for you to see the individual bricks’ shapes. But you don’t need to use the colors I’ve chosen in your models; use whichever colors you want to make the projects your own.

Substituting Parts The parts used in this book were selected from among the easily obtainable ones as much as possible, but you’ll probably still be missing a few.

Try to build as many models as possible using the parts that you already own. If you find that you’re missing parts, try to think of ways to substitute other parts for the ones that you’re missing.

For example, there are many types of LEGO tires. If you don’t have the tires shown in a par-ticular project, try using any tires you have that are a similar size. Also, there are several types of Power Functions motors. In this book, the com-monly available Medium (M) motors are used most frequently. It’s relatively easy to replace the M motor with the Large (L) motor or older motors from earlier systems, so use whatever you have available.

The Parts List in the back of the book will help you find the pieces you need.

You Are the CreatorLook at the models you build closely. By thinking about how they move and why they are designed that way, you will greatly improve your building skills.

This is an idea book; it’s about imagination. It is my sincere hope that you make these proj-ects your own, combine them, and evolve them into something even better—your own original models.

PART 1

4

22

32

44

50

68

82

92

104

114

132

148

172

Vehicles

4 Driving wheels with a motor

12

Driving wheels with a motor

×2

×4 ×4

×2

×23

8:24 = 1:3

#1

Driving wheels with a motor 5

37

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×6

×2

×2

×4 ×46

12:12 = 1:1

#2


37

10

×3

×2

×2

×2 ×2

×2

×2×4 ×4 ×4

12:20 = 3:5

#3


×4 ×4

×2

×2 ×2

37

×26

×6

×2

×2

12:20 = 3:5

#4


×4 ×4

×4

×2

×27

×2

×6

×2×2

×2

8:24 = 1:3

#5


×4 ×4 ×4

×2

×2 ×2×2

10

8:24 = 1:3

#6


3

×2

×2

×2

×3 ×6

×2

×4 ×4

×4

12:12 = 1:1

10

#7


×4 ×4

×5×2

10

20:12 = 5:3

×2

×4

#8


×4

×2

×2

20:12 = 5:3

×2×2 ×2×2

8

×2

#9


×4 ×4

×2 ×2×2

7

×6

×4

×3

12:20:12 = 3:5:3

3

#10


×4 ×4

×2

×2

×2

×27

×8

×2

×2×4

×3

20:12:12 = 5:3:3

3

#11


×2×2

×14

×5

3

×4 ×4

10

#12

8:2412:20

1:33:5

=


×4 ×4

×3

20:12:20 = 5:3:5

×2

6

#13


×4 ×4

7

×2

×6

×2

12:12 = 1:1

3

×2

×2

×2

×2

#14


×2 ×2

×2 ×6×4 ×4

10

12:20 = 3:5

×2

×2#15


×4 ×4

×4 ×2

×2

12:20 = 3:5

3 4 6

#16


×4 ×4

×2

×2 ×3 ×6

×2

×2×2

1:8

5 6

8

#17


×10

12:20 = 3:5

×2

×2

×4 ×4

×2

×2

×27

3

#18

22 4WD cars

4WD cars

×4

×4

3

10

×2

×2 ×2

×2

×2 ×3

×2 ×2

×6

×14

#19

4WD cars 23

24 4WD cars

×4 ×4

×2

×2×2

×4 ×8×3 ×2 ×2

×2 ×2

8

10

#20

4WD cars 25

26 4WD cars

×4

×4 ×4

×4

×4 ×2 ×2 ×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×4

×3×2

3 5

6

7

8#21

4WD cars 27

28 4WD cars

×4

×4

×4

×2

×2

×3 ×3×3

×2 ×2 ×2

×2

×8

×8

3

10

#22

4WD cars 29

30 4WD cars

×4

×35

×4

×4

×2

×2×2

×2

×5

×11

×2

3

4

8

10

#23

4WD cars 31

32 Each motor turns a wheel

Each motor turns a wheel

You can build cars that steer by

combining these with the models in

Caster wheels (page 44).

×2

×2

×2

×2 ×2

×2

×2 ×2

×2×2

×2

×4

×4

×2 ×2

×2

×2

×2

3 4

5

7

10

#24

Each motor turns a wheel 33


×2×2

×2×2

×2

×2×3

×6×2

×2

×2

×4

×2

×24 6

×8

×6

×6

#25


×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×4

×4 ×4×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

3 4

6

×2

×2

×12

#26


×2 ×2

×2 ×4 ×2

×2

×3×2

×2×2

×4

×223 5

#27


×2

×2×2

×2×2

×2

×2

×2

×2×2

×2 ×2 ×26

×4

×4 ×6

×16

5

#28


×2

×2

×2 ×2 ×2×3

×4

×4

×4

×2×2

×4×2

3 4

×2

×2

×14

#29

44 Caster wheels

Caster wheels

×2

×2 ×2

×2 ×2

You can build cars that steer by

combining these with the models in

Each motor turns a wheel (page 32).

#30

#31

Caster wheels 45

×2

×2 ×2

×2 ×3

#32

#33

46 Caster wheels

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2×2 ×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

3#34

#35

Caster wheels 47

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2 ×2

×2

×2

×2

×4

×4

×2

×2

×2

3#36

#37

48 Caster wheels

×2 ×2

×2×2

×2 ×3

×2

4

4

3

#38

#39

Caster wheels 49

×3

×2

×2

×2

×2×4

×6

3

5

#40

#41

50 Steering with the servo motor

Steering with the servo motor

×4

×4

×4

×4

×6

×12

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2×2 ×5

×2

3

4

8

You can combine these models

with those in Differential gears

(page 68).

#42

Steering with the servo motor 51

Servo Motor


3

5

×2 ×2 ×2

×2

×2 ×2

×2

×6

×3

×3

#43


×2 ×2×6

×4×2

×2

×2

×2

×5

4

5 64

#44


5

×2 ×2 ×2

×2 ×2

×2

×2

×4

×4

×2

4

#45


×2

×6

×2

×10

×2

×2 ×2 ×3

×2

×2

×2

×2×2

×2 ×3

43

#46


×2

×2

×2

×2

×10

×2

×2 ×2 ×4

×2 ×2

×2

×4

×4×4

×2

43

#47


×2×6

×2 ×12

×2

×2

×2

×3

×3

×2×2

×2

×4

×2

×2

3 5

#48


×2×2

×3

×4

×4×4

×2

×2

×2 ×5

×4

×4 ×14

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2 ×2×73 5 64

#49

68 Differential gears

Differential gears

×2

×2

×3

×2

×6

×2×2

×2

4

5

You can combine these models

with those in Steering with the

servo motor (page 50).

#50

Differential gears 69

When a car turns, the

right and left wheels travel

different distances—

the outside wheel

travels farther.


×2

×2

×3

×4×2

×6

×2

×2

×3

4

×2 ×2

3

#51


×2 ×2

×3

×12

×2

×2

×2×2 ×25

#52


×2

×3

×4

×2

×2

×2×2 ×25

4

#53


×2

×3 ×3

×2

×2 ×2

×2

×2 ×2

5

6

#54


×2 ×2×2

×2

×2

×2

×3 ×6

×8

×2 ×2×2

×2

×3

×2 ×2

5

4

3

6

7

#55


×4

×4

×4

×2 ×2

×2

×2

×2 ×2

×2 ×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×3

3

6

8

9

#56

82 Crawlers

Crawlers

×2×2

×4×68

×4

×4

×2×3

×2

5

9

#57

Crawlers 83

84 Crawlers

×6×52

×2

×2

×2×2

×2 ×55

3

6

×2

×4

×4

#58

Crawlers 85

86 Crawlers

×6

×4

×4

×4×4

×4

×6

×58

×3

×2

×4×2

×2

×2

×2

×35

3

×2×2

×4

7

4

#59

Crawlers 87

88 Crawlers

×10

×98

×4 ×4

×2×2

×4

×8

×20

×8

×23

×2

×2

#60

Crawlers 89

90 Crawlers

×24

×54×2 ×2

×2

×2

×3×2

×5

×4

×4

×3

×6

×43

×4

×2

×35

4

×2 ×2

×2 ×2×2

#61

Crawlers 91

92 Cars that spin something

Cars that spin something

×2

×2

×4

×3

×7

×2

×2

×2

×2

3

4

7

10

×2 ×2 ×2 ×2

#62

Cars that spin something 93


×2

×4

×2

×2

×2

×2

×4×4 ×4

4

5

6

8

4

#63


×2

×8×3

×4×4

×4

4

8

×4

×2

×2

×2

×27

#64


×3

×2

×2

×4

×2

×8

3

×4

×3

5

6

7

×4

×4

×4

×2

×2

#65


×2

×3

×2×2

×2 ×2 ×2

×13×6

×2

×2

×2

×2

×3

×2

4

5

8

12

×4×4

×6

×4

#66


×2

×2

×2

×2

×10

×6

×4

×4

3

4

7

10

×4 ×4

×2×2×2 ×2

×2

×2

#67


×2×3

×10

×6

×2×2

3

7

×2

×2 ×2

×4 ×4

8

×45

×4 ×4

×2×2

#68

104 Cars that move something

Cars that move something

×6

×2

×2

×4×3

×4 ×4

×4 ×2

×2

×23

5

7

#69

Cars that move something 105


×33

7

×2×2

×2×2

×2

×2

×2

×6

×2

×4

×3

×2

9

12

×3 ×3

#70


×53

×4

×4

×2 ×2

×2×2

×8

×2

×2

×4×4

9

×24

5

×4 ×4

#71


×4

×14

×2

×2

×2

×2

×3

×2

×3

×24

5

6

7

8

12 ×6

×4 ×4

#72


3

×2

×2×4

×6

×6

×3

×2×2

×2

×2×4 ×44

5

6

7

8

×2×2

×4

#73

114 Cars with suspension

Cars with suspension

×6×2

×3 ×2×2

×33

5

8

4

×4 ×4

×2 ×2

×2

×2

×4

#74

Cars with suspension 115


3

×20

×2

×2×2 ×2

×4×4

×4

5

7

×2 ×2×2

×2

×2

×2

×4

×6

×4 ×4

×4 ×4

×2

×4

#75


×12

×4

×2

×4

×4

×2

×2

×2 ×2

×4

×5

×4

5

10

#76


9

×2 ×3

×8

×4

×6

×8

×4

×4

×42

×92

×2

×4

×3

×2

×2

×2 ×2

3

5

4

×4 ×4

×4

×4×4

×4

×4

#77


×16

×2

×4

×4

×4

3

×4×4

×4×2

×2

×8

×2

×2

×2

×2

×3

×7

×2

×4

×4

×2

4

4

×2 ×2

×2

×2

×2

#78


×20

×14×7 ×2

3

×4 ×4

×4

×4×4

×4

×4

×2

×2

×6

×2 ×2

×4

×6

×3

×4×4

×4

×2

×3 ×3

×2

×6

4

5

7

#79

132 Five different bases for a small car

Five different bases for a small car

Five different bases for a small car 133


3

×12

×25

7×2

×2

×4

×4 ×4 ×4

×4

×3

#80


×4

×45

×2

×2

×2

×2×2

×2

×2 ×4

×6×4

×4 ×4

9

10

#81


×10

×35

×9

×2

×4

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×4

×3

×96

12

×2

×2#82


×2×4

×4

×35

×2

×2

×2

×2

×8

×2×2

×2

×6

×4 ×4 ×4

9

4#83


×4

×4

×4

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×4

×8

×8

3

×35

7

#84


×16

×4

×2

×2×2

×2

5

×3

×4

×4

×8

×3×3

×3

×3

×4

×4

×3

×5

×2

×2 ×2

9

7

6

×63

×2 ×2

×3

×3

×4#85

148 Cars that react

Cars that react

×28

×2

×2

×2

×2

×6

3

×4 ×4

×6

×2

×2

×2

×8

×2

×2

×2

4

6

8

10

×2

×2#86

Cars that react 149

150 Cars that react

Cars that react 151

152 Cars that react

×14

×4

×2

×2

3

×4×4 ×4

×2

×2

×2

×2 ×2

×2

×2

×4

×3

8

10

×3

7

×55

×2×2

×2#87

Cars that react 153

154 Cars that react

×10

×2

3

×6 ×6

×4×2

×2

×4

×3

8

10

7

×2

×2

4

×2×4

×2

×4

#88

Cars that react 155

156 Cars that react

×9

×6

×2

×3

×2

×2

×3

×33

×34

9

×35

×3 ×3

×3#89

Cars that react 157

158 Cars that react

Cars that react 159

160 Cars that react

×9

×3×2

×2×2

×2

×2×2

×2

×2

3

×64

9×3

×3

5

×2 ×2

×2

×3

×8

×3 ×3

×2

×2

#90

Cars that react 161

162 Cars that react

Cars that react 163

164 Cars that react

×20

×2×4

×4

×4

×4

×5

×2

×2

×2

3

4

×3

×3

5

×2

×2

×2

×2 ×2×2

×3

×3

×4

×4 ×4

×4×2

×2×5

10

7

#91

Cars that react 165

166 Cars that react

Cars that react 167

168 Cars that react

×10

×3

×5

×5

×4

×4×2

×2

3 ×3

×3

4

×2

×35

×6 ×6

×10

×2

×2

6

#92

Cars that react 169

170 Cars that react

Cars that react 171

172 Cool cars

Cool cars

×4

×4

×4

×2

×4

×4

×43

5

×4 ×4

×2

×2

×2

×4×5

×16

×10

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×3

7

#93

Cool cars 173

174 Cool cars

Cool cars 175

176 Cool cars

×6

3×3

7 ×2

×2

×2

×3

4

×2

×2

×2

×4

×4

×3

×4

×4

×4

×4

5

4

#94

Cool cars 177

178 Cool cars

×4

×6

×4

×2

×2

×2×2

×2

×6

×2

×6

×6 ×6

×6

×6

×2

3

5

6

9

#95

Cool cars 179

180 Cool cars

×26

×4

×2

×7

×2

×2

×2 ×2

×2×2

×2

×23

×34

×2

×2

×3×5

×3

5

×3

×5

×4

×4

×3 ×3

7

8

#96

Cool cars 181

182 Cool cars

Cool cars 183

184 Cool cars

×24

×3

×4

×4

×2

×2×2

3

×2

5

×2

×2

×2

×2

×4

×3 ×3

7

×6

×2

×2

9

4

#97

Cool cars 185

186 Cool cars

Cool cars 187

188 Cool cars

×17

×2

×4×3

3

5

×2

×2

×2 ×2

×2

×2

×4

×6

×6

×6

×4×4

×4×4

×6

×6

×2

×8

×2

×2

×2

×6

7

×2×4

×3

4

6

9

×2 ×2

×2

×4×4

#98

Cool cars 189

190 Cool cars

Cool cars 191

192 Cool cars

Cool cars 193

PART 2

Moving Without Tires

220

224

234

240

244196

208

196 Two-legged walkers

Two-legged walkers

×6×6

×2

×2

×2

×5

×2

×10

×4×4

×4

×4

×10

3

6

7

#99

Two-legged walkers 197


×8×2

×4

×3

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2×2

×4

×4

×4

×22

×3

×8

×2

×6

×4

×3

6

3

7

Cloth

4

#100


×2

×2×13

×3

×2

×2

×2

×2

×6

×2

×2

×2

×2×2

×5

×4

×4

×4

×21

×3

×4

5

×6×2

×2 ×2

×6

×10

×8 6

3

10

7

#101

208 Four-legged walkers

Four-legged walkers

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2 ×2

×2

×2

×2

×3 ×6

×4

×4

×8

5

×4

×2

3

#102

Four-legged walkers 209


×2

×2

×2

×2

×4

×2

×2

×4

×3

×16

×2

×2

×2

×3

×10

×4

×4

3 5

6

7

#103


×2

×5

×2

×3

×2×2

×2

×9

×4

×4

×8

×4×2

×26

×3

×4

×4

5

×4

×4

×12

×14

9

4

6

3#104


×2×8

×8×4

×4

×4

×4×6

×2

×2

×4

×16

×4

×4

×4×2 ×8×4

×8

5 ×7

×7

×6

×12

×10×12

4

3

10

4

#105

220 Six-legged walkers

Six-legged walkers

×2

×2

×6

×6

×5 ×4

×6

×14

×8

×185

×2

×2

×2

×2

9

7

#106

Six-legged walkers 221

222 Six-legged walkers

Six-legged walkers 223

5

224 Cool walkers

Cool walkers

×2

×2

×2

×2 ×2

×2

×4

×4

×2

×3

×3

×7

×2×2×2

×2

×12

3

4

7

#107

Cool walkers 225

226 Cool walkers

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×4

×3

×3×4

×4

×4

×5

×15

×4

×5

5

×2

×2

×8×2

4

3

×9

×5

12

#108

Cool walkers 227

228 Cool walkers

Cool walkers 229

230 Cool walkers

×4

×4

×4

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×4

×2

×2

×4×2

×10

×4

×4

×6

×4

×4

×2

3

×12

#109

Cool walkers 231

232 Cool walkers

Cool walkers 233

234 Moving like an inchworm

Moving like an inchworm

×2

×2

×4 ×4

×2

×4

×4×4

×10

×2

×2

×4 ×2

×2 ×2

×6

×33

5

6

#110

Moving like an inchworm 235


×2

×6

×4

×4

×4

×2

×2

×10

×2×3

×3

×10

3

×2

×2

×2

4

5

6

8

×5

×4 ×4

×2×4

#111

240 Moving through vibration

Moving through vibration

×2

×2 ×2

×2

×2

×4

×2

×2 ×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×11×6

×3

3

5

4

7

#112

Moving through vibration 241

242 Moving through vibration

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×4

×2

×2

×2

×9

×2

×10

×2

×4

×2

×2

3

×2

5

#113

Moving through vibration 243

244 Moving in other ways

Moving in other ways

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2×2

×4

×4

×4

×4×4

×4

×2

×16

×13

×6

×2

×2

×2

×8

×8

×2

×2

×4

×3

3

5

4

7

6

#114

Moving in other ways 245

246 Moving in other ways

Moving in other ways 247

PART 3

Special Mechanisms

250

256

264

272

288

308

250 Intermittent motion

Intermittent motion

3×2

×5

×3

×3

6

4

#115

Intermittent motion 251


3

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×36

4

×3#116


3

×4

×3

×4×2

×2 ×2

×2

×2

4

7

5

#117

256 Smooth changes of rotation speed

Smooth changes of rotation speed

3

×2

×3

×2

×2×2

×2

×2 ×2

×2

6

×3

×3

×3

7

5

#118

Smooth changes of rotation speed 257


×4

×2×2

×3

×29×2

×2 3

4

#119


×8×2

×3×4

×4

×2

×2

×2

×6

×2

×2

3

4

×2

×3

6

#120


3

×2

×2

6

×3

×2

×3

4

#121

264 Switching rotational direction

Switching rotational direction

3

×6

×6

×8

×2

×2

×2 ×3

×3

×5

4

5

×2

×2

#122

Switching rotational direction 265


×2×2

×13

×46

×3×3

×2

×2

7

5

#123


×4

×4

×2

×2

×3

×3

×2

×2

×2

×2

×3

×3

×6

×3

×16

×2

5

×2

×2

×6

×2

4

7

10

×2

#124

272 Changeover mechanisms using a switch

Changeover mechanisms using a switch

3

×2×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×10

×3

×3

×5

×3

×54

5

4

×2×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

#125

Changeover mechanisms using a switch 273


×4

×4×2

×3

×8

×2

×6 ×6

×4

×4

×4

×4

×3

×4

4

×6

×2

×22

×16

×10

6

8

#126


3

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×17

×3

×3

×2

×2

4

5

×5

×2

×2

×2

×4

×4

7

#127


3

×6

×3

×18

×3

×3

4

4

×2

×2

×2

×2

#128


1 2

3

4

×26

×2

×6

×8

×8

×8

×4

×4

×4

×4×4

×4

×2

×2×2

×2

×2

×2

×26

×10

×5

6

7

3

×5

×4

×5

×9

4

5

#129

288 Transmissions

Transmissions

3

×2

×5

×3

×3

×2

4

5

8

×2

×2

10

#130

Transmissions 289

290 Transmissions

3

×2

×2

×2

×2

×4

×6×4 ×4

×2×2

×2

×19

×3

×3

×3 ×4

4

5

8

9

4

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×4

#131

Transmissions 291

292 Transmissions

Transmissions 293

294 Transmissions

3

×2

×2 ×2

×2

×4 ×2 ×2

×2

×2

×18

×6

×3

×2

×2

×2

4

×4

×2

×2

×2

×4×4

×4

6

7

×4#132

Transmissions 295

296 Transmissions

Transmissions 297

298 Transmissions

3

×3×5

×2

×2

×2

×20

×4

×3

×3

×3

×4

×2

×3

×2

×2

7

8

9

×2

×2

×2

4

×4

×2

#133

Transmissions 299

300 Transmissions

3

×2

×6

×4×3

×2×2

×2

×2

×4

×3

4

5

×2×2

6

#134

Transmissions 301

302 Transmissions

Transmissions 303

304 Transmissions

3

×4

×2

×2

×2

×14

×2

×3

×8

×5×44

×2×2

×2

×5

×3

×3

Eight speeds

#135

Transmissions 305

306 Transmissions

Transmissions 307

308 Changeover mechanisms using rotational direction

Changeover mechanisms using rotational direction

3

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

4

×4

6

#136

Changeover mechanisms using rotational direction 309


×4

×2

×2×3

×3×2

×2

×3

×24 4

#137


×9

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×2

×3

×2

×2

×3

×2

4

3×3

×3

×4

#138

314 Parts list

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

12

4

8

×2 (×2)

×2 (×2)

×1 (×1)

×6 (×7)

×9 (×9)

×6 (×6)

×9 (×9)

×7 (×7)

×1 (×1)

×1 (×1)

×1 (×1)

×2 (×2)

×0 (×1)

×1 (×1)

×12 (×12)

×4 (×4)

×5 (×5)

×4 (×4)

×2 (×4)

×0 (×2)

×4 (×4)

×2 (×4)

×3 (×3)

Parts list This is the maximum number

of this part needed to build any

single model in this book.

This is the maximum number of this part needed

to build any single model in both volumes

of The LEGO Power Functions Idea Book

(Machines and Mechanisms and

Cars and Contraptions).

Parts list 315

×5 (×5)

×0 (×1)

×5 (×5)

×6 (×6)

×8 (×8)

×2 (×2)

×1 (×1)

×4 (×4)

×6 (×6)

×4 (×8)

×2 (×2)

×6 (×6)

×6 (×6)

×6 (×6)

×4 (×4)

×4 (×4)

×2 (×2)

×2 (×2)

×2 (×2)

×2 (×2)

×4 (×4)

×2 (×2)

×0 (×1)

×4 (×4)

×0 (×1)

×0 (×2)

×2 (×2)

×0 (×1)

×2 (×2)

×92 (×92)

×98 (×98)

×58 (×58)

×2 (×2)

×2 (×2)

×0 (×2)

×0 (×6)

×0 (×1)

×1 (×1)

×1 (×1)

×1 (×2)

×0 (×1)

×1 (×2)

×2 (×2)

×6 (×6)

×8 (×8)

×9 (×9)

×2 (×4)

×0 (×1)

316 Parts list

×1 (×1)

×1 (×1)

×4 (×4)

×12 (×12)

×7 (×9)

×42 (×42)

×1 (×1)

×4 (×4)

×10 (×10)

×0 (×2)

×6 (×6)

×0 (×2)

×14 (×14)

×5 (×5)

×2 (×4)

×2 (×2)

×3 (×4)

×2 (×3)

×0 (×1)

×0 (×2)

×1 (×2)

×4 (×4)

×1 (×4)

×18 (×18)

×22 (×22)

×20 (×20)

×26 (×26)

×0 (×8)

×2 (×4)

×0 (×4)

×8 (×8)

×4 (×4)

×10 (×10)

×8 (×8) ×13 (×13)

×13 (×13)

×4 (×9)

×4 (×4)

×3 (×3)

×2 (×2)

×6 (×6)

×0 (×2)

×1 (×4)

×0 (×1)

×0 (×2)

×1 (×2)

×5 (×5)

×4 (×4)

×1 (×1)

×0 (×1)

×2 (×3)

×4 (×8)

×4 (×10)

×4 (×10)

×4 (×4)

×0 (×2)

×6 (×10)

×4 (×4)

×4 (×4)

×8 (×8)

Parts list 317

×16 (×16)

×4 (×6)

×10 (×10)

×6 (×7)

×6 (×6)

×4 (×4)

×10 (×10)

×6 (×8)

×4 (×4)

×4 (×4)

×2 (×2)

×2 (×2)

×0 (×2)

×2 (×5)

×0 (×4)

×4 (×4)

×2 (×2)×4 (×4)

×2 (×2)

×6 (×6)

×2 (×2)

×4 (×4)×0 (×1)

×0 (×3)×0 (×2)

×2 (×2)

×0 (×2)

×2 (×2)

318 Parts list

×2 (×2)

×0 (×2)

×2 (×4)

×2 (×2)

×1 (×2)

×4 (×4)

×2 (×2)

×0 (×4)

×0 (×2)

×1 (×1)

×0 (×2)

×0 (×1)

×1 (×1)

×1 (×1)

×0 (×2)

×1 (×1)

×1 (×1)

×0 (×1)

×0 (×2)

×0 (×3)

×1 (×1)

×0 (×10)

×0 (×1)

×3 (×3)

×0 (×2)

T H E F I N E S T I N G E E K E N T E R TA I N M E N T ™

www.nostarch.com

This book is not authorized or endorsed by the LEGO Group.

Shelve in: hobbieS/leGo $24.95 ($28.95 CDN)

This second volume of The LEGO ® Power Functions Idea Book, Cars and Contraptions, showcases small projects to build with LEGO Technic gears, motors, gadgets, and other moving elements. You’ll find hundreds of clever, buildable mechanisms, each one demonstrating a key building technique or mechanical principle.

You’ll learn to build four-wheel drive cars, adorable walking ‘bots, steerable tanks, robotic inchworms, and cars that can follow the edge of a table!

Each model includes a list of required parts and colorful photographs that guide you through the build without the need for step-by-step instructions. As you build, you’ll explore the principles of gear systems, power translation, differentials, suspensions, and more. cars and

contraptions

ca

rs an

d c

on

traptio

ns v

OLu

mE 2


the LeG

o po

wer Fu

nc

tion

s idea

Boo

k

the LeGo power

Functionsidea Book,

®

ImagIne. Create. Invent. now, what wIll you buIld?

yoshIhIto Isogawa

is a LEGO luminary with 46 years of building

experience. In addition to running Isogawa

Studio, Inc., he regularly holds LEGO work-

shops, lectures at schools and

science museums, and creates

LEGO models for events and

exhibitions. He is the author of the LEGO® Technic Idea

Book series and The LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 Idea Book

(No Starch Press), as well as many Japanese-language

LEGO titles.

Yo

sh

ih

it

o

is

og

aw

a

®

the lego power functions idea book: cars and contraptions

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