Brick Labs

As most of you know, I wrote one of the chapters in the One Kit Wonders book.  As such, there are certain terms that have to be used when writing about LEGO.

Brick Bender has put together a short version of some writing styles.  Here is a couple quotes, and then the link to the full article:

-LEGO is always singular and should be used as a modifier/adjective; ie. LEGO bricks, LEGO elements, or LEGO parts.

-They are not blocks, they are bricks.

Brick Bender – An unofficial style guide

Trossen Robotics held a Tutorial Contest.  The winners got some great robotics prizes.  But they aren’t the only ones who win.  We are.

Why?  Because they had to create quality tutorials in order to qualify for the prizes.  And you and I get to read and use those tutorials.

You can see the projects and winners here on the Tutorial Contest Winners Announced! page.

Here is a list of the tutorials produced by the Top 3 winners:

• So You Want To Build A Robot?
• An Introduction to Interrupts
• Choosing Sensors for Your Robot
• Materials for your Robot
• Introduction to Encoders
• Power Supply Basics
• XBEE Basics
• AVR Basics
• An Introduction to Mapping and Localization
• Controlling AX-12 Servos
• Following a Wall
• Obstacle Avoidance in the Real World
• Where Am I? Place Recognition Using Omni-directional Images and Color Histograms
• Cheap Battery Monitor Using Resistive Voltage Divider
• Prototyping a PCB with Desoldering Braid
• Get position feedback from a standard hobby servo
• Project documentation for the hobbyist

Ask A LEGO Fan is a new blog by… a LEGO fan. You can find the blog here: http://askalfan.wordpress.com

Anyone can ask a question, and they will try to answer them.  Usually there are links to the source for the answer (or answers).

One of the recent questions, was this:  Is it safe to use LEGO in an Aquarium?

The answer, not surprisingly, is yes.  I mean, after all… if a child can put these in their mouth (EWWW), then they are safe for the aquarium.

I wouldn’t go putting my electronics pieces in an aquarium.  But I think you already knew that.  :)

LEGO Costumer Service has the building instructions for the 2009 LEGO TECNHIC sets available for download.

Here are the direct links (in PDF format) for the instructions and booklet. NOTE: These PDF files are several MB each.

• LEGO Set: 8258 – Crane Truck
  Book 1/4
  Book 2/4
  Book 3/4
  Book 4/4
  PF Leaflet

• LEGO Set: 8265 – Front Loader
• (also includes instructions to use the PF Motor Kit elements in 8293: Battery Box, M-motor, Pole Reverser).
  Book 1/3
  Book 2/3
  Book 3/3

• LEGO Set: 8263 – Snow Groomer
  Book 1/2 (Main Model)
  Book 2/2 (B-Model)
  

While the Costumer Service pages have included the 8293 B-model instructions, these were already available from the TECHNIC Products website, you can find them on the TechnicBricks website.

A neat way to make diagonal stripes for one of your MOCs.  SNOT building often takes some thinking outside the box… this method is pretty easy to replicate, and works well.

Looks like PLEO hasn’t become extinct after all.  :)

It looks like a company in Hong Kong has purchased the IP rights to the PLEO. Jetta Company was the original manufacturer of the PLEO.  They plan on continuing the product, and fix some of the issues that the original PLEO had.

You can read more on the Jetta Company page about PLEO.

Here is their official press release:

Jetta Company Limited acquires Ugobe out of receivership

Hong Kong – Jetta Company Limited acquired the assets of Ugobe and will be re-launching "PLEO" in the near future. Established in 1977, Jetta has focused on manufacturing an extended range of toy, consumer electronics, juvenile, robotic and gift products and is one of the most recognized engineering and OEM companies within the toy industry. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Jetta currently operates five production campuses in Guangdong Province which combined has over 4.5 million square feet of production floor space. At the forefront of the fast-paced toy and robotics industries, Jetta continues to strive for "excellence" and is pleased to add "Ugobe" to its operations.