[TC28] Technic Non-Vehicle Contest - Discussion Topic

[Jim]

7 minutes ago, JoKo said:

Does it violate the new no animal rule?

Yes, I think it does violate the no animal rule. 

[JoKo]

1 minute ago, Jim said:

Yes, I think it does violate the no animal rule. 

What about a robot static automaton (exemple: it looks like Wall-e without tracks) that perform some action with arms?

[Jim]

1 minute ago, JoKo said:

What about a robot static automaton (exemple: it looks like Wall-e without tracks) that perform some action with arms?

I have been thinking about this and I do think we can allow "robotic arm" like models.

[JoKo]

Just now, Jim said:

I have been thinking about this and I do think we can allow "robotic arm" like models.

But no head or any other human-related appearance? is that what you mean?

[Jim]

5 minutes ago, JoKo said:

But no head or any other human-related appearance? is that what you mean?

Good question  

Damn, you are making this hard 

Let's steer clear of biological entries or entries that mimic biological entities.

[Erik Leppen]

37 minutes ago, Jim said:

Let's steer clear of biological entries or entries that mimic biological entities.

Well, there goes my idea... Back to the brainstorm session, I guess...

 

Which, I would say, should imply that, if we were to do an animal contest in the future, then that contest should include all said 'biological entries'. Even if they're not (entire) animals.

 

Edit: So, just to be sure:

On 12/20/2024 at 1:53 PM, Lipko said:

walking strandbeest
clock
kinetic scultpture of a galopping horse - possible with selectable walking modes (walk-gallop-race etc)
kinetic sculpture of a dragon flapping wings, maybe in a tensegrity construction
weaving machine
windup insect
human head with expressions
working gun
music machine/instrument
drumset sculpture with working drummer figure
Solar system/planets and moons sculpture

 

 

Edited December 23, 2024 by Erik Leppen

[Jim]

5 minutes ago, Erik Leppen said:

Which, I would say, should imply that, if we were to do an animal contest in the future, then that contest should include all said 'biological entries'. Even if they're not (entire) animals.

I am okay with that.

Kinetic animals/sculptures is a difficult one for this contest. But I think it would be kinda cheating to put an animal on a base and call it static.

[JoKo]

48 minutes ago, Jim said:

Good question  

Damn, you are making this hard 

Let's steer clear of biological entries or entries that mimic biological entities.

OK Let's keep the humanoid ideas for the animal contest

14 minutes ago, Erik Leppen said:

 

I also thought about musical machine, I made a first prototype a few month ago and didn't figure out a way to make it 100% lego. 

[Saberwing40k]

Hmm, I've been having some thoughts about this with some things that are very much edge cases, that I nevertheless would count as being not vehicles. For instance, some dockyard, gantry and tower cranes can move a short distance on rails, but I don't think this counts as a vehicle, as the purpose is not really to move the machine from location to location, but move it within its operating envelope. Basically, the rails count as part of the machine. Trains aren't the same because they are used over much longer distances, and can have multiple directions they can go via switches. 

On the other hand, big ring cranes like Mammoet uses are unambiguously not vehicles.

At the other end of the scale, what about trailer mounted equipment? I can think of some things that would fit perfectly in this contest, like trailer mounted fairground rides, or trailer mounted generators or boom lifts. I don't think these count as vehicles, as their primary function is fulfilled whilst static. 

Lastly, there are some lawn and other pieces of equipment that are self propelled, but not vehicles. Does a lawn mower count as a vehicle? A ride on mower absolutely would be, but what about a push mower? What about other things, like trenchers, tillers, or sod cutters? Now, obviously with a trencher if you make it big enough it's a vehicle, but what about smaller, walk behind ones? I ask because I used to work with them, and if pressed I'd say it absolutely isn't a vehicle. The operator has to walk behind it, and steer the machine manually, the machine has no steering mechanism. They are also really, really slow. Now, excavators are absolutely vehicles, even little ones. Same goes for skid steers. Even larger trenchers are vehicles, as they are basically small skid steers at that point. 

To me, a vehicle has to:

Carry its own operator.

Change direction under its own power.

Travel extended distances.

Have motive power onboard.

Now, trains are kind of a weird edge case, because they can't change direction without switches, but that's where the distance aspect comes into play. The other aspect that comes into play is onboard motive power. Although, even with my criteria, there are still going to be edge cases. For instance, a gantry crane has onboard motive power, carries its own operator, and can be argued to change direction under its own power. However, they are not designed to move farther than a couple hundred meters, if that. So, I'd argue that that aspect trumps everything. But oh boy, defining what is and isn't a vehicle is hard.

[Jim]

Can we please just make a Clock or something 

7 minutes ago, Saberwing40k said:

Hmm, I've been having some thoughts about this with some things that are very much edge cases, that I nevertheless would count as being not vehicles. For instance, some dockyard, gantry and tower cranes can move a short distance on rails, but I don't think this counts as a vehicle, as the purpose is not really to move the machine from location to location, but move it within its operating envelope. Basically, the rails count as part of the machine. Trains aren't the same because they are used over much longer distances, and can have multiple directions they can go via switches. 

NO things that are related to vehicles. This contest is about making something else. Don't even think about trains, trailers, etc. 

[msk6003]

On 12/19/2024 at 11:43 PM, msk6003 said:

Because from what I understand, this can be considered a licensed model. Arcade cabinet question was along similar lines.

 

Suddenly rule become complecated. Considering new rule, this is not allowed. Right?

[Jim]

1 minute ago, msk6003 said:

Suddenly rule become complecated. Considering new rule, this is not allowed. Right?

Nope, sorry about that.

[msk6003]

3 minutes ago, Jim said:

Nope, sorry about that.

Thank you for making it clear.

[JoKo]

Now that my animal-human as been set aside I am thinking again about an engine and am facing this question:

The engine I have in mind is very typical of a well-known brand. Is it OK if I just don't mention that brand?

[Jim]

2 minutes ago, JoKo said:

Now that my animal-human as been set aside I am thinking again about an engine and am facing this question:

The engine I have in mind is very typical of a well-known brand. Is it OK if I just don't mention that brand?

Don’t mention the brand. That’s why we had the no licensed clause to begin with. We abandoned the rule but I prefer not building explicily branded stuff.

[JoKo]

2 minutes ago, Jim said:

That’s why we had the no licensed clause to begin with.

Was it to promote creativity or for some legal/moral reason?

[Jim]

3 hours ago, JoKo said:

Was it to promote creativity or for some legal/moral reason?

People tend to like a model better if it’s branded or when it’s a replica of a “Porsche” for example. 

[Ngoc Nguyen]

Since the scope is now non animal and non vehicle, may I suggest renaming the contest into "Technic Device Contest"

[Seasider]

I know I exactly what I want to build, something that has some relevance for where I live in the world. But I’m aware I can’t “put my towel down” and create a thread without any progress. So it won’t be till the new year for me posting here as now off visiting family for Christmas. Im also hoping a work colleague will send us some photos and videos of the device in action which will help me to work out how it all runs. Have a good Christmas everyone 

[Jim]

2 hours ago, Seasider said:

But I’m aware I can’t “put my towel down” ...

LoL 

10 hours ago, Ngoc Nguyen said:

Since the scope is now non animal and non vehicle, may I suggest renaming the contest into "Technic Device Contest"

You may suggest everything 

I will think about it. 

[pow]

On 12/23/2024 at 10:02 AM, Jim said:

Animals are not allowed (we will save that for another contest)

Wohoo, we'll get a dedicated animal contest! I was thinking about building something with eyes. But splitting this contest up makes more sense!

Merry Christmas to all of you

[MangaNOID]

12 hours ago, Ngoc Nguyen said:

"Technic Device Contest"

I hope the title does not change. 
 

I have started an idea that is not a vehicle, mech, animal or anything that’s been ruled out but it is also not a devise.
 

This contest sounds like a fun topic to build to now that some details have been flushed out 😅

 

[2GodBDGlory]

8 hours ago, Seasider said:

I know I exactly what I want to build, something that has some relevance for where I live in the world. But I’m aware I can’t “put my towel down” and create a thread without any progress. So it won’t be till the new year for me posting here as now off visiting family for Christmas. Im also hoping a work colleague will send us some photos and videos of the device in action which will help me to work out how it all runs. Have a good Christmas everyone 

That's about me too! I've got an idea for what I want to build, but I'm at my parents for a few weeks, and away from all my Lego (Except for a long-stalled 42145 Airbus alternate model project that I was hoping to work on), so we'll see if I jump into something in the new year

[Jim]

20 hours ago, MangaNOID said:

I hope the title does not change. 

I have started an idea that is not a vehicle, mech, animal or anything that’s been ruled out but it is also not a devise.

You're good, no worries.

[Chilly]

Well, two days ago, I'd never designed anything in Lego.  Then I bought plans and the missing parts to make one of Nico's designs - the manual braiding machine.  It's great, but winding the bobbins by hand was a right pain in the butt.

So I designed a bobbin winder.  It's  old school Technic, using bricks, plates and gears.  So I guess I'll have to re-design it to use beams instead.  It'll probably be the smallest entry ever.