[TC28] Technic Non-Vehicle Contest - Discussion Topic

[Akassin]

On 12/19/2024 at 8:33 AM, Jurss said:

All questions - how to fit supercar in this contest rules :)

there are some ideas...

[gyenesvi]

4 hours ago, pow said:

I would say the idea to have this mixed contest is to make an Animal Contest possible. As animal builds are often seen as "to different" or "to difficult" chances are high that a lot of people refuse to participate.

I don't understand how this would make an Animal Contest more possible. I'd think if some people throw in their animal ideas here then there would be less participation in a future animal contest.

Edited December 20, 2024 by gyenesvi

[Ngoc Nguyen]

Yeah I've always thought Technic Animal is a feasible contest theme by itself. If you think animals don't have any Technic functions to be recreated, try designing the tail of a peacock. That is one Technic idea I've always thought about.

Edited December 20, 2024 by Ngoc Nguyen

[bruh]

1 hour ago, Akassin said:

there are some ideas...

Haha! Love the loopholes!

[2GodBDGlory]

9 hours ago, Jim said:

We have never enforced illegal building techniques. That is true. 

But you make it sound like all models are always full of that? Is that the case?

To be honest; I don’t really mind. The jury will decide whether they like that or not.

Well, I guess it depends whose definition of illegal we would have been using. Some seem pretty draconian, and so a lot of models would be bending parts slightly beyond what would be allowed (I don't want to be doing math to ensure something is a perfect right triangle, if it works fine, for example!) Personally I'm probably more comfortable with illegal techniques than most people, but I think for a contest the only options are to ban such techniques with some documentation provided for what constitutes illegal, or to allow it and let voters decide if it bothers them or not.

Just my thoughts, thanks!

[howitzer]

A separate animal contest would indeed be great for the future. I have one animal-idea and one non-animal idea and if animals are allowed with no actual animal-contest in the future, I'd have to choose between the two ideas for this contest, which is kinda sad :(

[evank]

I have a question about the rules. Why does it have to be studless? Some of us Gen-X'ers love building in the "Expert Builder" theme from the 1970s-1980s. This is what became Technic. As long as I build a non-vehicle technical machine with motors and lots of moving parts, why does it matter if the technical pieces have studs on them? In 2023, I won "Best Mechanical" at Brickworld Chicago (largest convention in the US) for a complex technical model built in Expert Builder, entirely from studded parts. It even used some of the old Samsonite gears.

Edited December 20, 2024 by evank

[Erik Leppen]

Good to see the contest has started. I'm really curious what people will come up with, as the theme is really open to the wildest ideas.

Judging/voting will be nigh impossible though. 

Actually, I may have just thought of something that might be cool to try to build. Well... if I can get it to work, which is a big 'if'. It would be a good opportunity to order some extra pneumatics, which is always useful.

[Davidz90]

A question regarding the rules: I'm considering submitting a desk clock with wristrwatch-like mechanism, with balance wheel oscillating on a spring. For that, I needed a very weak spring, which I made out of flexible hose. Specifically, I submerged the hose in hot water so that it took a spring shape permanently, as depicted here:

Does this count as modifying bricks? Cutting hoses is OK, so bending them should be OK too?

[Jim]

12 minutes ago, Davidz90 said:

A question regarding the rules: I'm considering submitting a desk clock with wristrwatch-like mechanism, with balance wheel oscillating on a spring. For that, I needed a very weak spring, which I made out of flexible hose. Specifically, I submerged the hose in hot water so that it took a spring shape permanently, as depicted here:

Does this count as modifying bricks? Cutting hoses is OK, so bending them should be OK too?

We are lenient when it comes to hoses, so you are good.

On 12/20/2024 at 5:51 PM, evank said:

 In 2023, I won "Best Mechanical" at Brickworld Chicago (largest convention in the US) for a complex technical model built in Expert Builder, entirely from studded parts. 

That's why we won't allow it hehe.

Just kidding of course. What we are trying to avoid is people making a fantastic System built model, with some Technic functions. The emphasis will be on the design of the model, instead of the mechanics.

I do agree that for this contest it might be different. I would like to know other people's opinions on this matter.

[Davidz90]

3 minutes ago, Jim said:

We are lenient when it comes to hoses, so you are good.

Ok, thanks!

[pow]

On 12/20/2024 at 2:32 PM, gyenesvi said:

I'd think if some people throw in their animal ideas here then there would be less participation in a future animal contest.

Uhm, people might build a 2nd animal...dunno. The point is, chances aren't that high, we'll see a pure animal contest in the near future. Wonder what @Jim 's stomach thinks about this topic?

1 hour ago, Jim said:

What we are trying to avoid is people making a fantastic System built model, with some Technic functions. The emphasis will be on the design of the model, instead of the mechanics.

I do agree that for this contest it might be different. I would like to know other people's opinions on this matter.

Would be an honor to me, to loose against a studded-technic-build!

[captainmib]

Studded Technic bricks are part of the Technic line-up, so in my opinion we should allow them.

I wish Lego would use them some more in Technic sets, not just in giant Star Wars sets.

[Seasider]

I’d go with the no animal rule … save that for its own competition

[howitzer]

13 minutes ago, Seasider said:

I’d go with the no animal rule … save that for its own competition

Seconded.

---

As for the studful Technic, it should be allowed as long as the build follows the building principles of the studful era of Technic, meaning there's no tons of non-Technic parts added simply to make it look pretty but only used sparingly when necessary. So no exterior casings from bricks (unless they are Technic bricks) for example.

[Ngoc Nguyen]

I agree with no animal.

[Jim]

I don't mind changing that rule, but I am not sure whether people are already building animals. Please respond if you object to ruling out animals. Otherwise I can alter the rules.

[bruh]

I think no animals. It removes an entire category from judging, which makes it easier, plus animals aren't exactly related to (for example) a clock, other than having a mechanism. 

[Alex Ilea]

Ohh man, and I had an awesome idea about this animal thing... I guess I'll keep it for the next contest (haven't started building yet)

[evank]

15 hours ago, Jim said:

What we are trying to avoid is people making a fantastic System built model, with some Technic functions. The emphasis will be on the design of the model, instead of the mechanics.

I do agree that for this contest it might be different. I would like to know other people's opinions on this matter.

Thanks for explaining. I understand and agree with your concern. I just don't want to be excluded simply because I prefer very old Technic. You could solve this by removing the rule about no studded parts and replacing it with a rule saying, "Entries must be mechanical majority, not just System models with a few small mechanical aspects" or something similar.

BTW my winning model was a life-size V8 and transmission. I know I can't use an old model for a new contest, but it does raise the question -- an engine, by itself, isn't a vehicle. Would that count? :)

 

 

Edited December 23, 2024 by evank

[Thirdwigg]

I was thinking about doing an animal, but I might be lacking imagination right now. Also, I seem to be in the minority. 

[Jurss]

3 hours ago, evank said:

an engine, by itself, isn't a vehicle

I think, separate, detailed engine would fit in this contest.

[howitzer]

2 hours ago, Jurss said:

I think, separate, detailed engine would fit in this contest.

I agree. Besides, engines can be used in other applications beside vehicles, emergency generators are a well known example but they have been used in things like air raid sirens.

[Jim]

Okay, here is what I would like to do. Let's go for:

NON-VEHICLE/NON-ANIMAL STATIC MODEL.

So no walkers etc. By static I mean it does not have a form of movement as the result of an engine. You can build an engine though.

7 hours ago, evank said:

Thanks for explaining. I understand and agree with your concern. I just don't want to be excluded simply because I prefer very old Technic. You could solve this by removing the rule about no studded parts and replacing it with a rule saying, "Entries must be mechanical majority, not just System models with a few small mechanical aspects" or something similar.

Agreed! I will alter the rules accordingly.

I have seen your MOC before btw. Awesome creation! 

I have altered the rules. My apologies to the people who already started to build something, but I think these changes make sense:

DESCRIPTION
Build something that is not a vehicle, having some interesting functions or mechanics. Animals are not allowed (we will save that for another contest). You can build machinery and mechanical stuff etc. As long as it's not a vehicle. Furthermore, the model should be a static model, so you can't build models that are able to move itself from location A to location B using an engine.

Vehicle:
A thing used for transporting people or goods, such as a car, plane, truck, etc

NOT ALLOWED

• Animals
• Walkers
• Drones
• GBC

[JoKo]

37 minutes ago, Jim said:

You can build an engine though.

I considered building a large scale fake engine but I thought it was too much vehicle-related. I don't think it's against the rules though.

Philosophical question: I'm thinking about a humanoid static automaton. Does it violate the new no animal rule?