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Table of Contents
Creating NXT LEGO Machines & Mechanisms in Solidworks Part 2
Author: Joo Won Lee Email: leej183@unlv.nevada.edu
Date: Last modified on <6/3/2021>
Keywords: <Tutorial, how to, lego, Solidworks>
This tutorial will be focusing on how to make simple lego pieces in Solidworks and how to assemble intermediate lego mechanisms.
It assumes that the reader of this tutorial will know how to do basic mate & animate the lego pieces.
Please refer to Part 1 if the tutorial is too difficult to follow.
Motivation and Audience
The motivation of first part of this tutorial is to show how to build a rather complicated assembly that uses rack & pinion and perpendicular gear mate. The readers will also learn how to use mirror function that is used in the assembly.
The second part of tutorial focuses on creating new parts for the lego Solidworks. The readers will learn how to create lego parts and make sure they fit according to the dimensions given in the example.
Parts List and Sources
* One needs all of the following programs installed on their computer: SolidWorks (preferably post 2020 version), Studio 2.0, any file compressor program (like WinZip or BandiZip).
* One also requires to know the DASL Youtube channel account when uploading videos.
Ask the author or lab member for username & password.
Before the tutorial can begin, one must download the following items from google drive. Follow instructions from part 1 on how to use the files.
| File Name | Google Drive Link | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Isogawa Solidworks Parts | https://drive.google.com/file/d/15YxjyU9YPXL9NbGBGqAZQyTHRre_JzFH/view?usp=sharing | Ask author or lab member for password |
| Isogawa Book Parts List | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HDJ3HF7Dj-EgmrfUnNSEUs-qo3hrSzzq/view?usp=sharing | Not all parts are all accounted for |
How to Assemble Advanced Lego Mechanism (235)
This section will show how to assemble Isogawa's #235 Lego mechanism.
Assembly Video
Part 1 Video
Part 2 Video
This tutorial gives example on how to use rack & pinion mate and mirror function which will come in handy for complicated assemblies.
How to use Rack and Pinion Mate
Video
In the mechanical mate section, click rack pinion mate.
Click rack (flat surface) then click gear (round/circular surface).
Click okay.
How to use Mirror Function
Video
To use mirror function, click Linear component patter and click “Mirror Components” in the drop down menu.
One must specify the plane or surface that the pieces will be mirrored.
After the plane has been selected, click on the parts that needs to be mirrored.
One can go back to add more pieces by right clicking the mirrror on the left menu.
How to Create a Lego Piece
Video
Open the parts from your folder.
Make sure to get the motor first!
This is important as this is the piece that will be stationary (fixed)!!
Step 2
Open the “peg” that rotates inside the motor. Assemble it to the motor first.
Step 3
Assemble the rest of the parts.
Make sure to use gear mate for the gears.
Step 4
Watch the assembly video.
Make sure to have captions on for the tips.
Result
If you did everything right, the result will look like this!
The name of the files and folders are important because that is how DASL wiki displays correct image/files.
If the link is in red, then it means that the link is broken and you should see if you uploaded the file in the right folder or the name is correct.
Final Words
This tutorial went over the following tasks:
-How assemble in Solidworks
-How to view in exploded view
-How to animate the pieces
-How to use Studio 2.0 and make instructions
-How to upload to DASL wiki
For questions, clarifications, etc, Email: leej183@unlv.nevada.edu