Metal Part General Discussion topic

[glowytheglowbug]

On 8/9/2022 at 6:05 PM, nerdsforprez said:

 

 

 

I wish they were still around, I am looking for Lego actuators that don't have a clutch since my linear actuator engine requires high precision this would be perfect lol

Edited January 16, 2024 by glowytheglowbug
spelling mistake :p

[aFrInaTi0n]

Quick Update: Metal Technic Part has a voting ongoing for the community deciding on their next products!

Also they are open for suggestions for other parts not listed! So feel free to attend!
via https://metal-technic-parts.com/ (or https://app.traxoft.com/viewer/kS58KNHPf4dE4oABeUHGfXC3G8P2/MyTcABsiCqDl1iKwDbKW to see the form in full page..)

Edited January 23, 2024 by aFrInaTi0n

[Ryokeen]

That placement on their site is unlucky, easy to scroll by so thx @aFrInaTi0n for mentioning.
I would like to have those wheelparts with bearings aaaand matching set of cv joints, or just cv joints.

[aFrInaTi0n]

Gave them the exact same idea of combining metal / ballbeared wheelhubs with replicas of the joints with an axle at one side..

Edited January 25, 2024 by aFrInaTi0n

[ZENE]

I want to say that the metal differential you wanted to add is from ZENE? but it seems that you forgot to update this part, haha, and the brake disc that comes with the transaxle

[Ryokeen]

What ?

[aFrInaTi0n]

@ZENE They have their R&D, you have yours. See it that way: No direct competitor for you yet :D

 

Edit: Shall I add your products aswell to this threads overview? I am happy to do so, as you also have metal parts used - expect that to happen at the weekend..

Edited January 25, 2024 by aFrInaTi0n

[aFrInaTi0n]

@ZENE Added your products finally to to 1st post! Sorry for the inconveniences of me taking so long to do this!

Feel free to hit me up with a private message if I need to change anything.

Other little update for MTP:

They released some more products, will update the post here accordingly within the next days.. but for now the big thing I am waiting for:

Edit: Moved pictures to main post

Edited November 1, 2024 by aFrInaTi0n

[FriedlS]

3 hours ago, aFrInaTi0n said:

@ZENE Added your products finally to to 1st post! Sorry for the inconveniences of me taking so long to do this!

Feel free to hit me up with a private message if I need to change anything.

Other little update for MTP:

They released some more products, will update the post here accordingly within the next days.. but for now the big thing I am waiting for:

That is really cool! 😊👍 thanks for sharing this information!

Edited October 17, 2024 by Milan
Removed quoted image.

[aFrInaTi0n]

welcome!  will update the main post again for the mentioned other new MTP parts available..

edit: possibly take the pics out of the quote - may allow for better readability - I should have put it in another spoiler box in the 1st place possibly..

edit2: thanks milan 

Edited October 17, 2024 by aFrInaTi0n

[gyenesvi]

Hmm, is that U-joint offset with half a stud in the wheel hub? Wonder how easy is that to compensate..

[aFrInaTi0n]

I think it is intentionally to have the joints anglepoint aligned with the two pinholes - but seems that is not 100% fitting in the pics... so may just be pics of a prototype?!

But I only got the images from a preview from the vendor - so no hands on yet..

Edited October 17, 2024 by aFrInaTi0n

[Ryokeen]

@gyenesvi The u-joints from them are shorter than regular ones. By about 3/4 stud in total. So the hub works well with their u-joint others will have an offset.

[gyenesvi]

15 hours ago, aFrInaTi0n said:

I think it is intentionally to have the joints anglepoint aligned with the two pinholes - but seems that is not 100% fitting in the pics... so may just be pics of a prototype?!

Well, that's exactly where I was going, that they look misaligned on the picture by half a stud.

15 hours ago, aFrInaTi0n said:

But I only got the images from a preview from the vendor - so no hands on yet..

I don't think it's just the images; it is impossible to align them, because then there's no room for the U-joints to articulate. You can try this with lego joints (only moving them half studs out allows them to articulate without collision). That's why these kind of lego hubs are made with CV-joints instead.

So given that they have to be misaligned, it needs to be compensated somewhere. If we want to keep the length of the shaft equal to the length of the suspension arms, that would create a half stud offset on the other end next to the diff as well, which would make it hard to position, and half axles would be required. The other option for compensation is shortening the driveshaft with half a stud. That would create the problem of changing distances between shaft and suspension arms upon articulation. Sure, the difference would be small, and only noticeable upon high articulation angles in off-roaders (not in sportscars). But I wonder how that would effect the drive, whether it would result in unwanted friction, since the metal will have less slack and will yield less than the plastic in these king of situations.

1 hour ago, Ryokeen said:

@gyenesvi The u-joints from them are shorter than regular ones. By about 3/4 stud in total. So the hub works well with their u-joint others will have an offset.

The length of the U-joint does not really matter, it's the flex point that matters. Or do you mean the axles going out of the U-joint?

Actually, moving the pinholes one stud further away could solve the problem. And also would make the suspension build more firm. I'd guess metal parts are most useful in larger, heavier builds, and those typically have suspension arms 5 studs apart, instead of 3.

[aFrInaTi0n]

Its about their ujoint product which has shorter flanks towards the axles as it has a screw to fix the axles.. seems they just planned to be used with their ujoints to have the angling point being aligned correctly to the holes..

[gyenesvi]

4 hours ago, aFrInaTi0n said:

Its about their ujoint product which has shorter flanks towards the axles as it has a screw to fix the axles.. seems they just planned to be used with their ujoints to have the angling point being aligned correctly to the holes..

I undertand that the ends of the U-joint can be shorter because of the axle being fixed by a screw, but I don't get how that would solve the problem of the joint colliding with the pinholes when articulated. So the pivot point must still be misaligned I believe.

Edited October 18, 2024 by gyenesvi

[vergogneless]

I'm also eagerly awaiting the release of the metal wheel hubs, as it's the last part I need to truly be satisfied with my Lego RC models and potentially resume my passion.

I've completely stopped all my builds in the meantime because it's the last recurring major issue that I can't solve without metal.

I've long used the TF Engineering wheel hubs, with ball bearings, but they're plastic, and inevitably melt after a few runs due to friction.

As a reminder, I only build off-road models in 1/26 and 1/24 scale, running between 30 and 50 kph. Even with a light weight and lubrication, nothing has been able to prevent the play that gradually develops until they become unusable. The vehicle ends up sagging, and horrible play sets into the steering.

I’ve seen what Zene offers, but it seems that their hubs still contain plastic, which won’t work for me. I would have liked to try them, but unfortunately, I can't connect 1/24 scale rims (8mm HEX).

My only hope now lies with MTP, to connect classic Lego rims, while fitting real RC hobby-grade tires compatible with diameters of 50 to 60mm. I’ve been doing this for a while with the TF hubs, even though they weren’t designed for high speed.

I'm really crossing my fingers, especially since in the meantime, I've found two new more compact brushless motors and a new solution to adapt the Lego axle to the motor axle (using a clamp ring). I used to use glue, but it always ended up breaking.

I would really enjoy sharing all of this once I can test it in real conditions, if I ever solve this wheel hub issue!

Edited October 19, 2024 by vergogneless

[gyenesvi]

2 hours ago, vergogneless said:

I've found two new more compact brushless motors and a new solution to adapt the Lego axle to the motor axle (using a clamp ring).

I would really enjoy sharing all of this once I can test it in real conditions, if I ever solve this wheel hub issue!

You could still share the motors and the idea to connect them in the brushless motors thread..

[ZENE]

On 10/18/2024 at 1:17 AM, aFrInaTi0n said:

@ZENE Added your products finally to to 1st post! Sorry for the inconveniences of me taking so long to do this!

Feel free to hit me up with a private message if I need to change anything.

Other little update for MTP:

They released some more products, will update the post here accordingly within the next days.. but for now the big thing I am waiting for:

Thank you very much for bringing us up. It is a great recognition of our products and an honor for us.

We initially aimed to provide comprehensive modification packages and solutions for flagship models(because many new fans are starting to wonder why the cost of RC is so high), such as 42143, 42096, 42156, as well as high-performance RC modifications for the 42172 currently under designing.

Later on, we found that many friends with similar hobbies would use high-performance accessories for their own creation and modification, so we released some parts.

I am looking forward to sharing and enjoying the fun and creativity of extreme modification with friends who share the same interests here. I also feel that this forum is the most professional community.

[aFrInaTi0n]

@ZENE Thanks for adding your motivations - will copy to the main post.

[aFrInaTi0n]

On 5/11/2023 at 5:20 PM, Milan said:

Nice to see a metal diff.
I'm curious to see if the metal 12t bevel gear will skip it, when under heavy load and if the frame surrounding it starts to twist.
Looking forward to see your review.

Shit, the thing I nearly forgot I wanted to do.. thanks for reminding.. Those wheelhubs will definitely need some review! So order placed.. but customs will still come on top to those costs.. *sigh

 

so what I wanted to say: The wheelhubs are available from today!

@gyenesvi But seems they put it as compatible to their shorter-end u-joints, as we speculated already..

Edited October 31, 2024 by aFrInaTi0n

[SNIPE]

maybe there's a way using metal to make a pin extender where on one side its a pin, a bar or a square bar (for friction pins) and on the other side its a pinhole.

the whole part would be 2Lx1Lx1L  but since the pin/bar is hidden it becomes 1Lx1Lx1L.

Edited October 31, 2024 by SNIPE

[gyenesvi]

2 hours ago, aFrInaTi0n said:

so what I wanted to say: The wheelhubs are available from today!

Wow, those are pretty expensive stuff!

2 hours ago, aFrInaTi0n said:

@gyenesvi But seems they put it as compatible to their shorter-end u-joints, as we speculated already..

I understand that, but that does not make the geometry correct, the pivot points are still shifted (suspension pivot vs drive axle pivot). Can you please investigate this when you review it? Especially for high angles of the suspension. I wonder if length difference becomes noticeable / problematic.

[aFrInaTi0n]

I need to force myself into video creating, I reckon - but yes I will consider doing testing well and clarifying. I may get back for asking for thoughts about what / how to test as I am not so deep in the 4-wheel vehicle category, besides obvious thoughts like "aligned to the holes would possibly be best" :D

And yes, salty prices - for me personally it is currently ok to pay that price. If I think of the costs of R&D of creating a well thought product, I am happy I can support them to at least have a direct small compensation, but more in ways of seeing a 0-Day order.. (btw shipped already). But from my previous experiences with their other products, the wheelhubs will be worth the money is my expectation & I am sure they will deliver a high quality product. We will see in the near future!

Another thing, just to mention: I am not affiliated with MTP or ZENEBricks, so I am paying my private orders as everybody else is doing. The only thing I asked for with my current order: If I may get a single ballbearing fitting to one of the 5Ls as one broke as I tried to push one of their early series axles through (they need veeery hard press to get through the bearings, newer axles have a better fitting tolerance) for free as replacement, as it would allow to revive one of my previously bought products. I was told "no issue" -> so their service is also nice and open to help!

Edited October 31, 2024 by aFrInaTi0n

[Ryokeen]

@aFrInaTi0n Had that with one 5L liftarm from them aswell and in the process it got slighly bend. So i looked and the bearings they use are most likly "Miniatur Kugellager Zoll / Inch R156 ZZ / 2Z 4.762 x 7.938 x 3.175 mm". A good sorted store for bearings(kugellager-express) should have them. Just in case you need spare ones or want to pack some in printed/modifiered brick parts.