Building robots is a snap with LEGO Technic Robotics! This book shows you how to use LEGO bricks and Power Functions components such as motors and remote controls to create all kinds of robots. Best of all, you don't have to learn any programming. You just need your imagination and the expert building principles that you'll find inside LEGO Technic Robotics. Author Mark Rollins teaches you the hows and whys of Technic project design. You're not just snapping pieces here and there; with LEGO Technic Robotics you're actively learning the fundamentals of good design so you can go on to create truly spectacular LEGO robot creations. From robots that run on wheels, walk on two or four legs, or move and function in ways that only you can dream up, this book will help you create your own robot army. Turn to LEGO Technic Robotics and build with real power! After you've mastered the techniques in this book, if you're looking to build more creations, check out Practical LEGO Technics, also written by Mark Rollins, and discover how to build vehicles that can roll, run, and more. Please note: the print version of this title is black & white; the eBook is full color. You can download the color diagrams in the book from http://www.apress.com/9781430249801 What you'll learn Create a wheeled base for a LEGO Technic robot Construct a walking LEGO Technic robot Control the hands and arms on your robot Attach motors and a remote control your robot Who this book is for LEGO or robotics enthusiasts, or anyone who wants to make fun robots with LEGO Technic. Table of Contents Where to Begin with Your LEGO Technic Robot Kit Creating a Robot Body Bring Your LEGO Technic Robots to Life with Power Functions Designing a Robot Arm Creating Robots with Extensions The Robot Head Enabling a LEGO Technic Robot to Walk Parts List Cover 1 Title Page 2 Copyright Page 3 Contents at a Glance 5 Table of Contents 6 About the Author 9 About the Technical Reviewer 10 Acknowledgments 11 Introduction 12 A Brief History of Robots 12 Why a LEGO Technic Book on Robots? 12 How This Book Is Structured 13 CHAPTER 1 Where to Begin with Your LEGO Technic Robot Kit 15 LEGO Pick a Brick 15 BrickLink 16 Web Sites for LEGO Instructions 17 The LEGO Official Site 17 Peeron 17 Brickfactory 18 A Basic Introduction to LEGO Technic Pieces 19 A System of Storage for LEGO Technic Parts 19 Technic Bricks 20 Beams 22 Levers 23 Axles 25 Technic Axles in Action 26 Bushes and Connector Pegs 27 Technic Connector Pegs in Action 29 Technic Bushes in Action 30 Connector Peg/Cross Axles in Action 32 Technic Friction Snaps in Action 32 Other Types of Technic Connectors in Action 33 Cross Blocks and Angle Elements 34 Technic Cross Blocks in Action 35 Technic Angle Elements in Action 38 Gears 38 LEGO Technic Gears in Action 39 Racks and Shock Absorbers 44 Technic Miscellaneous Pieces 45 Designing Digitally with LEGO Software 46 LEGO Digital Designer 46 MLCAD 47 LDraw 48 Summary 49 CHAPTER 2 Creating a Robot Body 50 The Three Laws of LEGO Technic Robotics 50 The First Law of Technic Robotics: Planning 51 The Second Law of Technic Robotics: Build It Strong 51 The Third Law of Technic Robotics: Geometry 52 Project 2-1: Creating a LEGO Base 52 Project 2-2: A Solid Framework 57 Project 2-3: Triangle and Trapezoids 67 Summary 76 CHAPTER 3 Bring Your LEGO Technic Robots to Life with Power Functions 77 LEGO Power Functions 77 Power 77 Action 79 Motors 79 Lights 82 Control 82 Direct Control 82 Remote Control 84 The IR-TX Remote 85 The IR Speed Remote Control 86 A Robot Base with Wheels 86 Project 3-1: Creating a Four-Wheel Drive Engine Wheel Base 87 Project 3-2: Creating a Four-Wheel Steering System 94 Project 3-3: Securing the Robot Base to the Wheeled Base 102 Powering the Robot Base 107 Summary 108 CHAPTER 4 Designing a Robot Arm 109 Project 4-1: The Hand 109 Project 4-2: The Wrist 113 Project 4-3: The Elbow 120 Project 4-4: The Shoulder 133 Project 4-5: Joining the Shoulder with the Body 141 Take Control with the Mega-Remote 147 Summary 148 CHAPTER 5 Creating Robots with Extensions 149 Project 5-1: Rack-and-Pinion Extension 150 Project 5-2: The Scissorlift Mechanism 162 Summary 172 CHAPTER 6 The Robot Head 173 Circles, Curves, and Other Round Shapes 173 Project 6-1: Building the Top of the Head with Eyebrows 175 Project 6-2: Adding Eyes and Nose 184 Project 6-3: Creating the Mouth 194 Bringing the Robot Head to Life 205 Summary 205 CHAPTER 7 Enabling a LEGO Technic Robot to Walk 206 Project 7-1: A Two-Legged Walker Motor 206 Project 7-2: The Legs of the Two-Legged Robot Walker 223 Creating a Walker with More Than Two Legs 232 Final Words About Building Robots 234 Summary 234 APPENDIX A Parts List 235 Index 284
Building robots is a snap with LEGO Technic Robotics! This book shows you how to use LEGO bricks and Power Functions components such as motors and remote controls to create all kinds of robots. Best of all, you donât have to learn any programming. You just need your imagination and the expert building principles that youâll find inside LEGO Technic Robotics.
Author Mark Rollins teaches you the hows and whys of Technic project design. Youâre not just snapping pieces here and there; with LEGO Technic Robotics youâre actively learning the fundamentals of good design so you can go on to create truly spectacular LEGO robot creations.
From robots that run on wheels, walk on two or four legs, or move and function in ways that only you can dream up, this book will help you create your own robot army. Turn to LEGO Technic Robotics and build with real power!
After youâve mastered the techniques in this book, if youâre looking to build more creations, check out Practical LEGO Technics, also written by Mark Rollins, and discover how to build vehicles that can roll, run, and more.
Please note:the print version of this title is black & white; the eBook is full color. You can download the color diagrams in the book from http://www.apress.com/9781430249801
What youâll learn
- Create a wheeled base for a LEGO Technic robot
- Construct a walking LEGO Technic robot
- Control the hands and arms on your robot
- Attach motors and a remote control your robot
Who this book is forLEGO or robotics enthusiasts, or anyone who wants to make fun robots with LEGO Technic.
Table of Contents
- Where to Begin with Your LEGO Technic Robot Kit
- Creating a Robot Body
- Bring Your LEGO Technic Robots to Life with Power Functions
- Designing a Robot Arm
- Creating Robots with Extensions
- The Robot Head
- Enabling a LEGO Technic Robot to Walk
- Parts List
Front Matter....Pages i-xix Where to Begin with Your LEGO Technic Robot Kit....Pages 1-35 Creating a Robot Body....Pages 37-63 Bring Your LEGO Technic Robots to Life with Power Functions....Pages 65-96 Designing a Robot Arm....Pages 97-136 Creating Robots with Extensions....Pages 137-160 The Robot Head....Pages 161-193 Enabling a LEGO Technic Robot to Walk....Pages 195-223 Back Matter....Pages 225-280 Provides information on using the LEGO Technic robot kit, including how to build a robot body, using the power functions, enabling a robot to walk
