Posted January 24, 201213 yr So posted up an image of the big robot thingy I am working on. I never even thought I would run in to this issue, how do you connect or drive something on a monorail as the teeth seem like they are different to the ones used by technic. I am using it like a large bearing :)
January 24, 201213 yr There's a special monorail motor that has a permanent gear attached to it. I don't know if any other gear will mesh with the track or not. On Bricklink - there's actually a couple versions with different couplings to the rest of the train. Edited January 24, 201213 yr by mostlytechnic
January 24, 201213 yr Author There's a special monorail motor that has a permanent gear attached to it. I don't know if any other gear will mesh with the track or not. I do have that but I don't think it has the power I require :(
January 24, 201213 yr I'm afraid that connecting gears to monorail track is not possible. however, you could use regular train track, or use rubber wheels on the track. search for ring crane on brickshelf, and it may help you.
January 24, 201213 yr I do have that but I don't think it has the power I require :( You should be able to use the PF adaptor cable to power it. That would actually let you make a remote controlled monorail.
January 24, 201213 yr Author You should be able to use the PF adaptor cable to power it. That would actually let you make a remote controlled monorail. Sorry I meant the motor is not powerful enough to move the load it needs to
January 25, 201213 yr Use this technique: http://www.texbrick.com/model_marinecrane/index.html It can be scaled up or down and can take a lot of load.
January 25, 201213 yr Author Use this technique: http://www.texbrick.com/model_marinecrane/index.html It can be scaled up or down and can take a lot of load. Thats scary, I found this site yesterday and was investigate the exact same thing! The issue is that nothing actually keeps this in shape?
January 25, 201213 yr Thats scary, I found this site yesterday and was investigate the exact same thing! The issue is that nothing actually keeps this in shape? the "outer" part of the bearing keeps it in shape I think looks like a good idea, worth trying
January 25, 201213 yr Author the "outer" part of the bearing keeps it in shape I think looks like a good idea, worth trying Thanks for that, very useful
January 25, 201213 yr Thats scary, I found this site yesterday and was investigate the exact same thing! The issue is that nothing actually keeps this in shape? I found it many moons ago, when the MOC was new. Nothing needs to keep it in shape, you only get downward pressure on the rims and the counteracting upward pressure. If the rims DO pop off you can attach them with something like 87083 Technic, Axle 4 with Stop or 6587 Technic, Axle 3 with Stud instead.
January 25, 201213 yr Author I still think there must be a a way to use monorail! I seen it somewhere on a massive crane
January 25, 201213 yr If you use the Monorail bogey it can roll around the track, and then you motorize a regular turntable in the middle. I.e. the weight is on the bogey and the turn is via the turntable. Another "ancient" solution for big bearings is to use two x784 Hailfire droid wheels stacked on top of each other and place some loose 3482 Wheel with Split Axle hole as bearing balls in between. Sadly x784 is rare and expensive, I regret not getting a few when the set was out.
January 25, 201213 yr @ burf2000: Are you thinking about babasorhum's Lego Technic Ring Crane that uses the monorail motor? See this and his Brickshelf gallery.
January 25, 201213 yr Author If you use the Monorail bogey it can roll around the track, and then you motorize a regular turntable in the middle. I.e. the weight is on the bogey and the turn is via the turntable. Another "ancient" solution for big bearings is to use two x784 Hailfire droid wheels stacked on top of each other and place some loose 3482 Wheel with Split Axle hole as bearing balls in between. Sadly x784 is rare and expensive, I regret not getting a few when the set was out. I used the hailfire wheels quite a bit and do have a few sets. This is my backup plan however I forgot about monorail bogey's @ burf2000: Are you thinking about babasorhum's Lego Technic Ring Crane that uses the monorail motor? See this and his Brickshelf gallery. It was a much lager thing, on track 5 or 6 meters tall! good find Dluders
January 25, 201213 yr I also just Googled that crane (third hit when searching for lego crane monorail). Looks like all the weight is on the axles with the wheels: This would cause a lot of friction. Using just the rims w/o rubber and a flat surface under and over like T.J.'s harbour crane is superior. What about two rings of monorail turned to face each other and with rims as ball bearings in between? I still think it would be best to power the actual turning with a motor and turntable in the middle, but you could also experiment with motorizing a few of the "bearing wheels".
January 25, 201213 yr Author What about two rings of monorail turned to face each other and with rims as ball bearings in between? Already on that!
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