TECHNIC
From Brickipedia, the LEGO Wiki.
Technic is a form of LEGO. It has specific parts including gears and rods, and can be used to build a range of objects. It differs from Lego System in that it uses holes for pegs or axles rather than conventional lego studs.Technic is a line of Lego interconnecting plastic rods and parts. The purpose of this series is to create more advanced models with more complex movable parts, such as machines with wheels, in addition to the simpler brick-building properties of normal Lego. The concept was introduced as the Expert Builder series in 1977 and was renamed Technic in 1984.
Technic sets are often characterized by the presence of special pieces, such as gears, axles, pins, and beams. Some sets also come with pneumatic pieces or electric motors. In recent years, technic pieces have begun filtering down into other Lego sets as well, most notably the Bionicle sets (some of which were sold as part of the Technic line), as well as a great many others.
The style of Technic sets has been changing over time. Technic sets produced since the year 2000 use a different construction methodology, described as "studless construction" (Studs are the small circular knobs which appear on traditional Lego bricks). This method utilizes beams and pins rather than technic bricks.
Mindstorms, a Lego line of robotic products, also uses a large number of Technic pieces, although it is sold as a separate line of products. The next generation of the Mindstorms range, the Mindstorms NXT range (released August 2006), is based on the studless construction method.
[edit] Components
Lego Technic system expands on the normal Lego bricks with a whole range of new bricks that offer new functionality and building styles. The most significant change from normal Lego is that single-stud wide bricks ('beams') have circular holes through their vertical face, positioned in-between the studs. These holes can accommodate pins, which enable two beams to be held securely together, either side-by-side, or at an angle.
[edit] Motors
Lego Technic system has always included a variety of different electric motors. Broadly, these divide into those powered by batteries, held in a connected battery box, or by mains electricity, via a transformer. Battery-power is the most common.
Early motors were either 9 volt or 4.5 volt, and consisted of a large brick with a small protruding axle that would rotate when the motor was powered. The motor was not hugely geared-down, resulting in high-RPM, low-torque output.
Recent motors, contain a hole into which an axle should be inserted, enabling axles of different lengths to be used.
In late 2007, a new motor system was released called 'Power Functions'; it was included within the B8275 Motorized Bulldozer. It comprised a set of motors, two IR receivers, IR remote control and a battery box, thus resulting in a remote-control model. One IR receiver would connect to the battery box whilst the other receiver connected to the motor (up to two motors per receiver), thus remote-control was achieved.
[edit] Technic Themes
- Bionicle
- Racers (not all racers sets are Technic sets, only some are)
- RoboRiders (Discontinued)
- Throwbots (Discontinued)
- Dacta (Certain sets are Dacta Technic)
