How to Integrate a Motor into a fischertechnik Drive Train

This instructable demonstrates how to integrate a "found" motor (in this case a Tamiya electric motor) with a fischertechnik pulley drive train.

I play with different educational manipulatives for a living. (Visit www.weirdrichard.com). Over the years I have struggled with integrating "found" motors in my models...for example I once inherited a box of Pittman motors, and I tried to fix a plastic spur gear on the motor shaft using a dremmel and a hot glue gun with inadequate results. Argh!

One of the advantages of the pin and slot fischertechnik system is the ability to easily integrate "found" motors into a drive train. Elements can be adjusted to fix motors and other assemblies into a model.

This is my first instructable!

Note: The CAD looking images were generated by LDraw/MLCAD and a fischertechnik elements library.

Step 1 Step 1: Gather elements:

You will need to gather your elements. The fischertechnik elements are available from a range of kits available from a fischertechnik retailer, and the specific elements can be purchased individually from www.fischertechnik.com. In addition, you will need a "found" motor (I used a Tamiya available at www.tamiya.com, but any motor will do), two rubber bands, and a power supply (I used two hobbyist alligator clips and leads, a fischertechnik switch box and power supply, but there are less expensive options).

This is a demonstration, and you do not have to use this precise list of parts.

The List:
2 Large Pulley 60 (ft-31019)
3 Hub Nut (ft-31058)
2 Link 15 (ft-31060)
4 Building Block 15 with Bore (ft-32064)
6 Building Block 30 (ft-32879)
2 Building Block 15 (ft-32881)
1 Tire 32.5 (ft-34995)
3 Flat Hub Collet (ft-35031)
1 Building Block 15x30x5 with Groove and Pin (ft-35049)
1 Clip Axle 60 (ft-35065)
1 Clip Axle 75 (ft-35087)
1 Base Plate 120x60 (ft-35129)
1 Wheel 23 (ft-36581)
1 Building Block 5 (ft-37237)
1 Building Block 7.5 (ft-37468)
2 Belts
1 Tamiya or similar small motor

Comments

[lena_lou]

Very nice! Maybe next time, shoot the video from "above" so we can see everything move. I liked the clear illustrations with notes - nifty!