Nico71's Creations

[jantjeuh]

Braiding machine is up on Rebrickable: http://rebrickable.com/mocs/nico71/braiding-machine

Just awesome, a true marvel of technical engineering.

[nico71]

My new wheeled vehicle since a long time ago ! Featured all wheel drive, steering with functional handlebar, suspensions and white design !

There was a long time ago since I have not created wheeled creations. After months making clocks and machines, I would like to return to basics with a motorized vehicle. Here is the result !

The aim was to use the white parts from New Plane #42025 from lego bought recently and the hubs of the F1 #42000 (purchased separately on bricklink.com). Back to basics, I would like to combine simple functions with nice design in a vehicle that I have never done : a quad !

Here is the formal specifications :

• Drives on all wheel using 2 L-Motor
  
• Steering on front wheel with working handlebar using a Servo-Motor
  
• All wheel suspended
  
• Differentials on all axles, none of center
  
• Fake I2 engine
  

You can watch the detailled articloe on my blog : http://www.nico71.fr/motorized-4x4-quad/

And the video :)

:)

[piterx]

<3

[zux]

This is cool looking quad. Might build this one as well.

[Zerobricks]

As I stated on youtube, its a really great model. I like how everything has its place and fits together perfectly.

[legomuppet9]

This model is amazing, its looks and functions are brilliant

[jantjeuh]

Can also be found on Rebrickable now: http://rebrickable.com/mocs/nico71/motorized-quad-atv-4x4

Awesome model, it looks very rugged. Probably the best quad MOC I've seen so far (and there have been a lot).

[750ACE]

Great MOC & Video. Is there an advantage or disadvantage to not having a center differential? What applications require a center differential?

[Rishab N]

The quad looks awesome. I agree with jantjeuh, its probably one of the best

[N-4K0]

Great looking quad!

[nico71]

Did you see my last teaser ?[/size]

Currently making the instruction, this loom is more simple, reliable and fast than the other ! And the best at the end : you will be able to built it :)

I hope I can release it in 2014..

Edited December 22, 2014 by nico71

[aeh5040]

Wow, the new loom looks awesome - eagerly awaiting the instructions. Very interesting and innovative use of the "timing wheel" concept. Perhaps this idea could be extended to make something like a Jacquard loom that can weave set patterns...

[sm 01]

The loom works great but I also really like your quad! It is much bigger than I expected. I especially like the steering mechanism and overall appearance - great work with those white/black panels!

I like your video too - nice idea to include real quad bike in the video about LEGO quad.

[nico71]

Hello Everybody ! Today I ,will present you my new loom with building instructions ! I paste here the article on my blog, because I have many worked on.

Context

After succeeding in building my previous mechanical loom for the 2011 Fana'briques exhibition, I was proud to solve any problem I had with this construction but some points were not as I wanted. first of all the speed, even with a good motorization, at the high speed, the loom remains a little bit too slow. Then, the reliability, the loom was made with 2000 parts with a lot of lever, connecting rod, rotating mechanism and still deserve fine tunning to work well without monitoring. To overcome this, I built a limited torque system to prevent damage on component when problem occurred. Since 2011, I was looking for for a new loom, faster and more reliable. But there is impossible to think that with the same mechanisms had used in this loom that it can be possible to obtain what I want. That is why, I decided to build this new loom by keeping the good mechanism which works fine and design new one for improving reliability and speed. Today, I present you the final version of my new small mechanical loom.

Basic Functioning

The basic functioning remains the same as I have already described in the article of my previous loom. I encourage you to read the article on Wikipedia : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loom it explains very well the functioning. Which iscomposed of:

1. Wood frame

2. Seat for weaver

3. Warp beam- let off

4. Warp threads

5. Back beam or platen

6. Rods – used to make a shed

7. Heddle frame – heald frame – harness

8. Heddle- heald – the eye

9. Shuttle with weft yarn

10. Shed

11. Completed fabric

12. Breast beam

13. Batten with reed comb

14. Batten adjustment

15. Lathe

16. Treadles

17. Cloth roll- takeup

My model is a flying shuttle model as the previous loom. Here is the basic cycle of weaving:

• The heddle frames move up
  
• The shuttle moves from righ to left
  
• The reed moves and press the weaving pattern
  
• The heddle frame moves down
  
• The shuttle moves from left to righ
  
• The reed moves and press the weaving pattern
  

You will not that there is 3 basic motions which had to be sequenced : the up and down movement of the heddle, the right to left movement of the shuttle, and the front and back movement of the reed. Of course during all this sequenced actions, the reels is slowly rolled out.

How does it work in Lego Version

Now I will present the different solution I have used to make the movement. The heddle frame is composed of two frame which supports 2 of 3 string, and are connected together with a beam. This beam rotate to cross alternatively the string from the up to down and so on.

The flying shuttle displacer is the same thing I have used on my previous loom, on each side, there are articulated beam connected to an axle which can rotate. When this axle is rotated, the first beam section pushes the second, which pushes the shuttle. The articulation of each section is important in order that the shuttle displacer push the shuttle inside the string but without touching them.

Then, the reed is simplier than on my previous loom. Rather than building a dedicated system which move the reed independently of the main movement of heddle frame, this is the heddle frame which moves the reel. In deed, a connecting rod is connected from the heddle frame to the reed, ensure that the pattern is pressed when the heddle frame rotate.

Now the important new features is the sequencing of the whole movement. On my previous loom, I use simply dephasing axle. First instance, on the first 90° of rotation of, the main axle, the heddle frame was operated with the reed (with a small phase shift for the reed), then, on second 90°, this is the right shuttle displacer, next the 90° was for the heddle frame and the last 90° was for the left shuttle displacer. The problem is that the movement was too continious and not enough impulsive. Combined with a classic lever and connecting rod, the system can not run very fast because I was limited by the continuous movement effect. That is why I decided to redesign completely the system which sequenced the loom.

The solution I have used is a timing drum. It is composed of 10 segment with white 15L beam with obstacle on certain place composed of bush. This bush, by rotating with the drum comes to push 4 lever placed on the frame of the loom. each lever is connected to a system. The white are connected to the left and right shuttle displacers, and the lime green on the heddle frame. Like that, each rotation of the drum, the 4 levers are operated alternatively. This mmechanismis like the small music box which play song depending of the asperities of the coded drum. Thanks to that, for instance, each the shuttle displacer is operated one time on 10 segments in a rotation fo the drum, ensuring a good impulsive functioning.

The lever of the shuttle displacer is connected the displacer by an axle with 2 universal join with a system of 6-hole pulley which enable me to set up the correct phase shift and consequently the position of the lever and the shuttle displacer.

The heddle frame is connected to two levers with a more complex system. On each side of the axle of the heddle frame is set a 12 tooth gear which is connected to a 20th gear. then the axle of each 20tooth gear is connected using two universal joins to each lever. Each lever are antagonist because connected together by the axle of the heddle frame. When the left lever is horizontal, the right is vertical, and when the left is vertical the right is horizontal. Like that, the bushes on the timing wheel can operated first the left pusher (which make the right move too), and then the left pusher (which remains the right one on this initial position).

You will not also that on the timing drum, for each lever, there is not only on bush which push the lever, they are 2 or 3 to obtains the correct movement I want. For instance, for the shuttle displacer, the first bush which pushes the lever is placed as far as possible to obtain the maximum torque on the lever. When the lever begins to rotate, a other bush push the lever the nearest as possible in order to complete correctly the movement and set the lever to the vertical. Then, the lever is released and the shuttle displacer comes to the original position, using rubber band. This type of coding using a timing wheel enable me to delete all tuning regarding the rubber band, there is no need to set up correctly the strength of the rubber because the mechanism has many time to recover its position comparing to my previous loom. Then, the reed, as mentioned below is operated by the heddle frame rather than a dedicated system. This is why there are only 4 levers to operate the loom, as the reed is connected to the heddle frame. I connected it by using a simple connecting rod placed on the extremity of the rotating beam of the heddle frame, and on the middle of the reed in order to have the same movement whatever the movement of the heddle frame. Finally, two rubber band connected to the reed ensure the return in stable position, ensuring also the good locking in two position of the heddle frame.

Finally, the last system is the lead of the 5 string used. On my previous loom, I use two rollers at the beginning and one big roller to the end to lead the string from the reel. This solution with two rollers at the beginning enable to control a good tension of the string, which is very important for weaving. That is why I have keep this system for the beginning. But for the end, I use a single roller but with the same diameter as the back. It enables me to have not gearing reduction between the rollers, which was very complicated to set on my previous loom. Consequently, the gearing is very simple than my previous loom. A chain set on a 40 tooth gear on the axle of the drum is connected to an other 40 tooth gear. After a 20 tooth double spur gear, the axle goes to the beginning rollers and to the end rollers using two universal joins and a worm and 24 tooth gear. Consequently the whole transmission pass though the frame and not as the exterior, which is better for looking. Regarding the gearing, I have chosen this reduction (1/24 finally), to have a fabric -according the the used strings- which is not too tightened which permits to see the weaving process with the two colors. It is of course possible to obtain more tightened final fabric by replacing the second 40 tooth gear (near the tan spur gear) by a 24 tooth gear. The gearing ratio will decrease and the fabric will be more tightened.

Video

Here is the video which shows you the functioning and the abilities of the creations and after the pictures.

Get The building Instructions

I wanted to build a new loom for a while but I have also discover after uplaoding my previous loom in Youtube in 2011 that you are thousand of want the instructions ! Nevertheless, I did not make the building instruction for my previous loom because it was composed of many parts, some rares, and was not enough reliable for me. But this loom was developed to be reliable, simple, fast and using standard parts, that is why I was motivated to create the building instructions for you !

I have consequently spend many hours on MLcad to build the CAD model and Lpub to rendering the building instructions and after some pictures adjustment I was abbe to propose a beautiful PDF of my building instructions, in 96 pages / 170mo and 908 parts ! This building instructions was made to make possible the print after with a white background and high DPI definition in standard A4 size, that is why it doesn't look like the Lego Official Instruction graphically. The bill of material can be download for free, and it is also available on rebrickable online (for matching your parts with the needed parts).

• Bill Of material : Pictures.png - 1mo
  
• Bill Of Material : Rebrickable link
  

Please note that you can use any rubber band you want, as they are 2x2L lenght (arround Ø16-20mm) in rubber. You can also use any power functions motors you want, the looom has been tested with M, L and XL motor.

The building instructions PDF is not available for free, due to considerable amount of time spend and in the only aim to allow you to rebuild this creation. Consequently, the building instructions are on sale for a minimum amount of 5€ with free donation. It is possible for no-beginner builder to build my loom using the pictures, but buying the PDF instructions ensure you to have the correct tuning of the loom and to encourage my work :)

To get this instructions for 5€ or donate more, go to my website and scroll down to the paypal button : http://www.nico71.fr...echanical-loom/

Some instructions has been sell, therefore, everything work, you pay and you will receive your instructions within 24h :)

Here is some sheet example :

As reception of your payment by paypal, I will send you a secured link to download the 170mo PDF. Note that you can print it, but not copy or distribute. To avoid the risk of hacking, each sold copy is encoded with the email and name information of the buyer.

To set the loom, go to my blog and watch the video and the end, this a a 10min video which show you how to set up correclty your loom : http://www.nico71.fr...echanical-loom/

I hope you will be happy with this creation ! I have pass many time to get all this works fine :)

Please fell free to ask questions.

Edited January 12, 2015 by nico71

[Blakbird]

Wow! Looks like a perfect compliment to the braiding machine. Although you have described the operation principles carefully, nothing is better for learning than actually watching it work. Prior to this, I had very little knowledge concerning the working principles of a loom. My engineer colleagues will waste countless hours watching it!

[nico71]

thank you Blakbird. I have tried to make the most understable as possible :)

[nico71]

Don't hesitate to ask questions concerning the loom, or the building instructions !

:)

[aminnich]

Not really a question about the loom, but how did you come up with the idea of building a loom?? Like I know I don't wake up saying, "lets build a loom today"

I love the functionality of the model, amazing!!

[DrJB]

Very nicely done. Two questions though:

1. Can it be made wider or are there some 'limitations'.

2. Can the inter-weaving be something special (more elaborate) as in jacquard pattern (pied-de-poule).

In 2, the threads are not 1-up/1-down/1-up/1-down ... but more like 3-up/1-down/3-up/1-down ... and the next pass, the whole thing is shifted by one thread.

I'm also thinking on how to make a braid (French 'tresse') not with 3 but 4 or more threads, based on your previous masterpiece (braiding machine). The kinematics might be too difficult to reproduce mechanically and one may need recourse to use EV3/NXT ...

Edited January 13, 2015 by DrJB

[nico71]

Not really a question about the loom, but how did you come up with the idea of building a loom?? Like I know I don't wake up saying, "lets build a loom today"

Hum, from far I know, it is by viewing some meccano photos about machine, some of them are weaving machine. That is why I thought; why building a loom in lego ? It is not been yet ! After that, after making research, I discover many other braiding and weaving system. I wanted to make a new braiding machine which really braid the rope, or with the japanese kumihimo technique, but always hard without NXT.

Very nicely done. Two questions though:

1. Can it be made wider or are there some 'limitations'.

2. Can the inter-weaving be something special (more elaborate) as in jacquard pattern (pied-de-poule).

In 2, the threads are not 1-up/1-down/1-up/1-down ... but more like 3-up/1-down/3-up/1-down ... and the next pass, the whole thing is shifted by one thread.

In this loom, the number of string is quite limited by the system of action of the main roller. Because of the torque avaiable on the lever. But with a biggest roller and other system of lever, it can be possible to weave many string. Concerning the programmation of a difrferente pattern, yes it is possible, but really hard to make in lego, I am creelty searching for making a standard jacquart with a second coded roller for up and down the string with mechanical programmation.

[afol1969]

Incredible construction!

As amazing as the braiding machine, a must build At the first view on the part list, I've all the parts available that I can build it.

And many thanks to have made professional instructions.

Looking forward to you next creations

Greetings

Alex

[m0dulo]

Nico71, thanks for your youtube videos. You helped get me interested in LEGO again after a very long time.

[Askan]

This is really something special and totally different. Truly a master piece and something I would like to build in the future.

[nico71]

Thank you all :)

yes the parts have been chosen to by as widespread as possible :)

[nico71]

Hello all !

Many who awesome people who have buy the loom, I hope you are satisfied.

Also, if you have any problem with the functionning, don't hesitate to contact me !