Thursday, May 31, 2018

Horizontal Generator Build (Part 2)

Well I have already taken the Horizontal generator apart as I now build up the gearing and motors in the platform.  



This shows the gearing system for the Horizontal generator and the two side spinning platforms.  This all run off the same motor.  The spinning platforms will tap off the gear reduction one level up.  So they will spin faster than the generator itself.  The platform had to modified to accommodate this.  Mostly the 4x4 plates in the corner had to be replaced, since I needed that space.  So far this does not seem to have compromised anything.


A close up of the main gearing.


Here is a closeup of the right spinning platform.  Used two gears to move the axle in the horizontal direction so the center of the spinning platform lines up with the center axis of the generator.  This was required because I tapped the gearing at a different place than what is driving the generator.  Then the same gear box (#6585) turns the shaft perpendicular.

Now I need to figure out to fit two small turntables and the motor/gearing to drive them in the available space.

Horizontal Generator Build (Part 1)

Well after the holidays and my day job once again getting my way, I had to take a small break.  But I have been working on things.  Here is the first pass at getting the horizontal generator working. 

First was getting a motor into the base and gearing it down.  Unfortunately my current version of the motor controller does not have speed control right now.


A basic gear reduction and then a 4x4 gear box (#6585) to move the axle rotation to the perpendicular.


Then cover it up with plate except for where the axle comes out.


A wider view of what is happening.


Now we start to add the horizontal generator pieces.  As noted before, the vertical axle is not on center, thus the long technic pins are used to adjust the frame into the correct position.


The other side is added and the frame is closed up.


The dishes are added on a long axle to complete the spinning portion.


The trans-blue cones are added to cover up the spinning portion.  Consoles were added to start the detailing process.


More detailing with minifigs and tiles.


A different view.

My youngest son was home over the holiday weekend and helped with this detailing.  The control panels do add a nice detail. 

Just a different view.

During this process  and during the creative collaboration with both of my sons on this platform, we have come up with some other detailing.  We found an old Space set with an interesting cannon using a small cylinder.  So there will be one on each side in the front.   And then the same type of cylinder will be connected to the generator on a spinning platform.  Then it is just getting the lighting correct and we should have a rather impressing platform for the planetary base.



Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Final Platform MOC


The final platform that goes on the left end is beginning to take shape.



This shows the creative process, which can seem rather cluttered at times.

Below are different views of what it looks like.  The TAN quarter cyclinders will be replaced by trans light blue ones to keep with the all glass look.  






The back section will have the two big rotating antennas.  Lots of lights are envisioned and several laser gun positions as in the original one.  Finally something that comes out of the center, if I can figure out how to move it up and down an incline.

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Software Updates Coming

This upcoming weekend will be updates to the BETA versions of all of the Android Apps.  I have been working on an issue with the Temperature sensor and the Power Monitor where at the about the one hour mark, the Android App will freeze up or crash because of a memory leak.  Have greatly improved performance and reliability.  Please look for this.

Monday, May 7, 2018

Final Platform Connector

I have built the final angular platform connector I need.  While the underlying structure is the same, the detailing is different in all of them.  Mostly it has to do with power connection between the platforms.  Below is a series of pictures as it is built.





The two above are the base structure.

These show the beginnings of the detailing, using TAN pieces to keep with the sand motif.





Here you can see the common details o fthe Tans Light Blue round plates on the front and the 1X8 bars as power conduits.



Here the theme is beginning to take shape.



The last two show the completed detailing.  Lighting this will be interesting.