Best Ideas or Concepts in Technic or Model Team

[Kumbbl]

That was a crane model in the 8888 idea book. You can see a picture of it below. It is indeed a marvelous model. 4 motorized, programmable functions all with one little 4.5V motor and no electronics!

yes, i agree - a really ingenious concept... together with the cute little blue excavator the best model of th 8888 book...

Edited June 7, 2013 by Kumbbl

[allanp]

Have to agree with 8109, was not expecting such a fantistic little mechanism. The programmable crane via a plate with gear racks on it is also pretty nifty. I'de also have to agree that for their time, the use of the drive rings in 8880 and 8480 were also awesome although in the case of 8880 a bit over used now. And yes I totally agree with Kumbbl, the 8880 ghear change is by far the best they ever did, no fiddling to change gears required. The sequencing mechanism of the 8868 b-model is also quite ingenious, also it was combined with the (at the time) all new motor compressor as well. I also love the auto reversing cable car from the ideas books and the way the destroyer droid deploys when you roll it.

[Splat]

I was also pleasantly surprised by 8109.

 

While 7471 is actually part of the Discovery theme, I still consider it a Technic set. It also features those damped shock absorbers that allow the solar panels to open up, and the sensor mast to pop up. It also had an interesting way of moving the arm at the front in two stages. You can see it in action in this YouTube video by 'fishcontrol'.

Edited November 6, 2019 by Splat
Fixed links to images.

[Lipko]

Wow, there are some stuff happening in the 8888 idea book.

[Kumbbl]

Wow, there are some stuff happening in the 8888 idea book.

BTW: this book is full off great ideas and an astonishing demonstration what is possible with this limited technic parts at that time...it pushes the studded lego technic of the early years to its limits (and sometimes beyond ;-) - and by far the best ideas book...

[MrTekneex]

Gullwing doors plus the way it 's made so sturdy on the 8446 8466 (Big Wheeled Offroader)

The tilt/unhook feature on the 8052 (little container truck)

the 3 motors and 6 functions, and the way it all fits together, on the 8043 (Motorized Excavator)

(My favorite set of all time)

The folding crane on the 8258 (truck) although it 's too fidlly to actually do something with it

(i can only remark on the set I actually own)

Exactly! I think the touch of class is the transmission of motion from the gearbox to the rotating base: simply divine! (8258) Edited August 20, 2013 by djshiver

[Musikfreak]

Some mentions from me - of course their awesomeness depended on my age when I found them.

8862 & 8854 - slewing with small turntable and screwaxle (special part usage)

8837 - the double action warning light

8868 - pneumatic slewing and the 2nd models frontarm

8082 - (the forklift) motor multiuse through movable motor (remote gearbox). Also I liked the periodic change in the "dog".

8460 - double HOG warning lights (nothing special but loved them as a kid)

8480 - gearbox usage for one motor and many functions / the "locking" landing gear with suspension element. Such a big step from 8856

8421 - two-piece extension with the string

8258 - two rotations coaxial through the turntable

8043 - the "next 8082". Get more functions than motors through a remote gearbox

42009 - outriggers (special part usage)

[Marcel1980]

I was also pleasantly surprised by 8109

While 7471 is actually part of the Discovery theme, I still consider it a Technic set. It also features those damped shock absorbers that allow the solar panels to open up, and the sensor mast to pop up. It also had an interesting way of moving the arm at the front in two stages. You can see it in action in this YouTube video by 'fishcontrol'.

I found of the 7471 new in box for quite cheap.

[peter_m]

I will add 9396 to this list with it's retractable landing gear - pretty clever idea.

[Choops]

Steering setup on 8455 is an amazing solution to the limited space available.

And don't forget how the pump is incorporated into the roof.

Steve

[Kumbbl]

Steering setup on 8455 is an amazing solution to the limited space available.

And don't forget how the pump is incorporated into the roof.

Steve

the whole 8455 is an amazing solution with respect to the limited space available - but you are right: the steering is quite cool and unique...

[jorgeopesi]

I don´t know who was first but apply the portal axle to the trials was revolutionary, the autovalve of Sariel always has been very helpful to me, the Sheepo gearboxes and the Nico71 MOCs teach a lot, the 8043 concept was epic, the work with soft axles of Tyler Reid is inspiring and I love the tracks idea from Mahjqa.

[Kumbbl]

maybe something mentioned in the following existing thead counts here too:

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=83226&hl=

For me the modularity of Nat Kuipers Concept Car is conceptually outstanding...

[Jim]

maybe something mentioned in the following existing thead counts here too:

http://www.eurobrick...topic=83226&hl=

I have merged both topics

Originally the topic was about official sets, but since the discussion is over we might add MOCs as well.

And I agree on your comment about the Concept Car!

maybe something mentioned in the following existing thead counts here too:

http://www.eurobrick...topic=83226&hl=

I see you started the topic. Do you mind me (or you) editing the first post to lose the word Official

[Kumbbl]

Jim, thank you for joining - fine for me to merge official and MOC concepts...

[jorgeopesi]

I am sorry I didn´t remember that post... .

[Jim]

No problem, we can continue now

To talk a little bit more about this topic;

The Concept Car is a work of art. It's not the most complicated build, but when you are building, it's just pure joy!!

Since I've built that car, I was contemplating a Modular Robot, with snap on Wheels, Tracks, etc. Maybe this will be my next project.

[Kumbbl]

The Concept Car is a work of art. It's not the most complicated build, but when you are building, it's just pure joy!!

:thumbup: :thumbup: couldn't agree more... just see the gearbox-module falling into the chassis-frame and you will smile some minutes... in general: the overall marriage of engine, gearbox, front- and rearaxle with the chassisframe is just fascinating - exact reproduction of modern manufacturing of cars...

I can recommend every one to ckeck this MOC out... it's a building experience in the true sense of the word...

Since I've built that car, I was contemplating a Modular Robot, with snap on Wheels, Tracks, etc. Maybe this will be my next project.

sounds interesting... in another topic i have mentioned an idea of a technic transformer (robot to car and vice versa)....

[Jim]

sounds interesting... in another topic i have mentioned an idea of a technic transformer (robot to car and vice versa)....

Now that you mention it; it's not exactly a building Technique, but this is one of the coolest Technic things I have seen as well. Created by Barman and already discussed here a while ago.

[Kumbbl]

Now that you mention it; it's not exactly a building Technique, but this is one of the coolest Technic things I have seen as well. Created by Barman and already discussed here a while ago.

indeed fascinating

[CP5670]

Some of my favorite concepts are function switching mechanisms. The 8082 forklift and 8094 crane both had different systems like this, which have not been seen in any set since then. 8043 is also a good example.

8868's alternate model and one of the other 8082 models had multiple functions that were connected through control loops and automatically kicked off each other.

The flex system mechanisms in 8485's dinosaur are unlike any other set and give it a variety of nonlinear, life-like movements.

I think the most original and clever mechanism is the one in 8002. It needs to be built exactly right and thrown in a very specific way to work properly, but is amazing to watch. The entire thing actually uses no gears and is powered by tension from rubber bands. One of the Brickset reviews says "whoever designed this is a genius and should be put to better use for the good of humanity than just designing toys."

yes, i agree - a really ingenious concept... together with the cute little blue excavator the best model of th 8888 book...

That idea book had quite a few concepts that were never seen in any actual Technic set. There was a second model based on a similar idea, where the gear racks were on a rotating belt made of tread links and the model would keep looping through whatever functions were encoded on the belt.

[Kumbbl]

I think the most original and clever mechanism is the one in 8002. It needs to be built exactly right and thrown in a very specific way to work properly, but is amazing to watch. The entire thing actually uses no gears and is powered by tension from rubber bands. One of the Brickset reviews says "whoever designed this is a genius and should be put to better use for the good of humanity than just designing toys."

never heard this but you made me curious.... i think i have to catch such a destroyer.. ;-)

[Kumbbl]

Another candidate for a really clever mechanism: the squeezing driven rotor spin of the Heli 4403 (not fully technic but contains a lot of technic elements and mechanism for rotor and landing gear):

The mechanism to turn the rotor is really clever and in addition it makes the Heli very playable especially for kids: Squeezing the rear side panels on both sides (see yellow arrow in the picture) spins the rotor at a very appropriate speed. The back direction of the squeeze is driven by a rubberband and is in free wheel so it doesn't interrupt the rotor spin). After stoping the squeeze, the rotor keeps on turning for some seconds and is emitting a ticking sound.... in general the free wheel mechanism is similar to that one used in the 9396 heli... but the overall driving mechanism of the rotor spin is way better in the 4403 than in all other helis of Lego i know because this sequeezing (the back direction of the squeeze is powered by a rubberband) is much more playable (during holding the "flying" heli in your hand) than turning a boring knob... IMHO a very nifty and clever mechanism...

In general this model is highly recommend - a lot of building fun and the build is sometimes really not easy... and it also looks great!

[AOW]

AWD drive system from 8880

Grearbox from 8880

Pneumatic+Compresor+9V from 8868

Chassis durability from 8865 - my 1,4 year son drop it from 1meter high, has sit on it, and the set still works and is intact !!!

Playability from 8862 - I got it when I was 12 years old and still have it.

[ozacek]

Sorry for reviving this old post, but I stumbled upon it while looking for something else. Then I thought I had to add my 2 cents. 
I have to say, the greatest mechanism I have ever seen is the one behind Akiyuki's Catch & Spin Robots. If you see it in action knowing that there are no sensors, just gears, then your first thought is "impossible".