Using spiral staircase elements - need way to securely join

[knotian]

I'd like to use a bunch of spiral staircase segments (40243) horizontally as part of a machine. Any suggestion as to how to join together? There could be space between them, but they will all be on a long horizontal shaft. Outside of the support, I cant find anything that will fit the opening snugly enough to allow turning.

Thanks,

Ed

[-zenn]

This is how the normal staircase is build... you can just flip it, as a whole, and connect multiple together.

Using the individual piece horizontal, side by side, I don't know... maybe some standard clips?

[knotian]

Thanks _Zenn,

I've looked at that and it seemed flimsy if multiples involved in a horizontal environment. I was hoping to find something like coupled shafts that I could run 24 of them together. I was wondering if someone had a couple and could try it before I hit brick link. It has to be long enough to get a gear on the end to drive it.

[Mesabi]

I would just skip them all together and use a bunch of Plate 1x4 2 studs https://www.bricklin...Studs&category=[

The Spiral staircases don't have any good way to be secured. Just stack a bunch of the 1x4s on top of each other, and it will look fine. Plus, you can put minifigs on them.

Edited July 29, 2016 by Mesabi

[BrickCurve]

I agree with Mesabi about the 1 x 4 plates, though only if they were to be used in a staircase, not a machine of some description.

The way -Zenn recommended works well, though any part with a similar width that can be stacked, such as 1 x 1 round bricks stacked on a 3L bar, (I hope 3L is correct, anyway, the bar that fits in a mini figures hand, you know what I mean).

[-zenn]

Maybe if you connect multiple staircase axles (shafts) together with technic pins it's less flimsy?

Or do it in goups divided by support structures; 2 rods, 1 support, 2 rods, 1 support etc.

Or run non-lego a rod through it; something along the lines of thin pvc/copper pipe.

Edited July 29, 2016 by -zenn

[knotian]

Thanks all!

Ed

[emilstorm]

I have never owned this type of stair elements, so I don't know if this works, but how about a whole bunch of 1 X 2 round technic connectors held together by either a bunch of friction pins or a really long axle?

[ACPin]

Done this more than ten years ago and just secured them with technic pins in between.

AC

[rollermonkey]

Just based on my experience building Elsa's Frozen Palace, if you're planning on having them rotate, one way would work to keep the spiral shape, but the reverse direction would keep them stacked and aligned. You said you're looking to use it in a machine, so if you're trying for an Archimedes' Screw type effect, it would work, but rotation direction would be limited to one way.

[AmperZand]

Just based on my experience building Elsa's Frozen Palace, if you're planning on having them rotate, one way would work to keep the spiral shape, but the reverse direction would keep them stacked and aligned. You said you're looking to use it in a machine, so if you're trying for an Archimedes' Screw type effect, it would work, but rotation direction would be limited to one way.

That might work in a stationary machine, but do we know that that's the case here? If the whole machine moves - especially in 3D such as in a plane or sub - the motion of the machine could affect the contact between the steps.

Also, when the rotation of the assembly starts - both initially when the machine is powered up and when it restarts if the rotation is intermittent - there is an efficiency loss and time delay as the steps engage. If my understanding of the step part is correct, in the resting position, the steps would dangle in a row. Of course, in a MOC, an efficiency loss might not matter. But if the machine is being used as a model, the loss and delay may not be ideal.

[knotian]

It would have to be in a horizontal orientation, only one direction rotation and a gear on one end to serve as the driven element. The shaft diameter is not standard but sized to fit 40243.