PART 2 Measuring Devices Measuring weight 106 Measuring length 114 Measuring angles 116 Measuring airflow 124 PART 3 Bonus Mechanisms Various rotating mechanisms 128 Fun and games 146 Handy tools and accessories 168 Parts list 178 vi
Introduction This is an idea book offering more than 100 models you can build with LEGO Technic parts The book focuses on models that you can build and operate without using electric elements such as motors With these fun non electric projects you’ll learn mechanical engineering principles through hands-on play How to Use This Book This book doesn’t include step by step building instructions Instead you’ll find photographs of each model taken from various angles plus a list of the parts you’ll need for the model Look at the photographs closely and try to reproduce the models Building in this way is like putting together a puzzle You don’t have to build the models in order Flip through the pages and try making the ones you find most interesting However you might want to start with relatively simple models until you get used to the process As you build the models pay attention to their movements and try to figure out why they work the way they do This will help you develop your building skills The next step is to adapt the ideas in this book to create your own original projects If you need inspiration refer to the hints that accompany many of the models You can also combine ideas from multiple projects Rework reinforce and decorate the models your creativity has no limits LEGO Parts At the end of the book there’s a list of all the parts you’ll need to complete the projects Most of the parts are common and easily obtainable However if you’re missing a few think of ways to swap in parts that you already own The images in this book feature parts in colors that make it easier for you to see the individual bricks shapes But you don’t have to use the colors I’ve chosen use any colors you want to make the projects your own This book’s projects were designed to be built specifically with LEGO bricks and LEGO Technic parts made by the LEGO Group I can’t guarantee that the projects will work properly if made with non LEGO products which may have problems with accuracy or durability Further Reading This book is part of a set For even more fun non electric projects check out LEGO Technic Non Electric Models Simple Machines It introduces a number of basic models that harness the power of gears and rotation and then applies them to an exciting variety of model cars If you’d also like to learn about mechanisms that use electric motors check out two of my other books The LEGO Power Functions Idea Book Vol 1 and The LEGO Power Functions Idea Book Vol 2 both from No Starch Press 2015 Acknowledgments LDraw data and the LPub application were used to create the illustrations in this book I would like to thank those involved in the development of those programs viivii
Warm-up You won’t find step by step building instructions in this book Instead you’ll use photographs taken from various angles to try to reproduce the model shown Building in this way is like putting together a puzzle You’ll soon get the hang of this process and learn to enjoy it Let’s practice first 1 This is the number of the model All the parts you need for this model are shown below Find them among the parts you own and start building 3 After gathering your parts try building the model using the photos on this page and the next To work faster put your model in the same position as the one in the photos and keep comparing them as you build viii
This is the hint icon which suggests other ways of building the project Try to create your own unique and fun models using these tips Please note that the parts used in the hint are not included in the parts list for each project or at the end of the book ixix
