Skip to main content

Diary of a ROBOTMAKR3


26August. 

Your Mocs have been registered!

So I'm going to LEGO fan weekend in Skaerbaek Fan Weekend this year and we have to register MOCs by 1st August, long before I would build them. 


So I'm going for two.  One is the Converted Mario Kart, we've seen that already. Cool thing for me is to build a cool-looking controller so it's fun to drive around from the table.  Check out this inspiration that I found in my YouTube/Instagram algorithm! 


The second is a spaceship, the program. Basically, a 100-stud shiptember (look it up) with its tie to the ROBOTMAK3RS in that I'm making it in the shape of a Scratch block.  I've had the idea for a long time, actually, so I have sketches from some time ago, and now just trying to flesh it out. Check out some sketches and ideas, one was that it could have some smaller ships also in the same design that could attach to it.  Also thinking about landing gear and other functions.  


At least this is my current process, with just finding ideas and sketching with a pencil. I'm hoping I can start this weekend with a digital pass through some of the structure.  I already have a Mario Kart donated from the designer, so now I need time to convert it.  

Let's see what's the next progress.


6 September

For the Mario Kart, I'm digging right in. First deconstruction and then a basic differential and trying to mount motors where they should be on the real thing. At this point just trying to keep the proportions right while adding all the motors.  Sudden conversion to Technic then back to system for the front- I mean I could redesign the whole front too.  Hopefully, I can finish this one sooner than later. All that's left is reassembly and strengthening.  Programming? Let's see if I'm not just doing that right when I bring it to Skaerbaek.



The spaceship is taking shape.  It's weird to do it digitally, to be honest, but I think you guys will appreciate the progress and where it is.  I'm thinking of really detailing it inside and out. My current thoughts are of the landing gear and ports for moving from ship to ship from the top and bottom.  At least with the current dimensions, it wouldn't be too hard to mount a spike unit inside with motors to make animatronics for landing gears, etc. If I get far enough digitally, I believe I can build it in a day, but that's really wishful thinking.



Popular posts from this blog

Celebrating MINDSTORMS with a Remix - Part 3

The ROBOTMAK3RS continued their celebration of the 25th Anniversary of MINDSTORMS through these Fall and Winter remix projects. Each ROBOTMAK3R was tasked with selecting one LEGO set of their choice and combining it with a MINDSTORMS set. Below are the five amazing models they came up with. Braill3 by Jerry Nicholls Braill3 is an EV3-based LEGO Braille bricks reader. This robot uses its fingertip, made from three touch switches, to read messages written using the LEGO Braille bricks and will speak out what it detected. If it sees a simple maths problem it will attempt to solve it and give the answer as well. To learn more about the process of creating this machine, read Jerry's blog . Braill3 can be viewed here . Set Review: The Braille Bricks set is well thought out. The ratios of the letters is suitable for general use and the addition of some punctuation and arithmetic operators is excellent. There is a card showing what bricks there are and their quantities, but no form of sort...

Celebrating MINDSTORMS with a Remix - Part 2

The ROBOTMAK3RS continued their celebration of the 25th Anniversary of MINDSTORMS through these summer and fall remix projects. Each ROBOTMAK3R was tasked with selecting one LEGO set of their choice and combining it with a MINDSTORMS set. Below are the five amazing models they came up with. Remote controlled material handle r by Jozua van Ravenhorst (aka Mr Jo) This remix combines the LEGO Technic Material Handler (42144) with MINDSTORMS EV3 (31313) It uses the power of pneumatic cylinders to move objects around. By using a bluetooth remote control, very precise movements can be made with this model. Touch sensors in the base chassis prevent the turret twisting the cables that go through the turntable to much. The program has several protections to prevent over pressurizing the system for each of the 3 individual pumps and valves that control the 2 booms and claws. The real version of this machine is mostly used in waste material sites to bring the material to machines that sort and...

Celebrating 25 Years of MINDSTORMS

In celebration of the 25th Anniversary of MINDSTORMS, we take a trip through history. Please also visit ROBOTMAK3RS Community every week as we highlight different projects all through 2023 in celebration of the anniversary. Some of the early history is based on the content shared by  Coder Shah  in our  MINDSTORMS EV3 Community Group . Some of the text and links may have been edited from his original posts for consistency and clarity.  1984 - Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen watched a TV program called "Talking Turtle," where MIT professor Seymour Papert demonstrated how children could control robot "turtles" using LOGO, a programming language he developed. 1988 - The collaboration between MIT and LEGO resulted in LEGO TC Logo in 1988, which allowed students to control LEGO models using computer commands. The video shows Papert demonstrating TC Logo. 1990 - LEGO TC Logo was hampered since the robots you built had to be tethered to a personal computer. LEGO and MIT...