"Big K'nex Walker": Axle

Intro: "Big K'nex Walker": Axle

This Instruction is mainly about the creation of the axle I use in my big k'nex walker, as meny people asked me how they were shapen.

Secondly, I want to post some picktures of my first, but also second model of the walker.
The second walker didn't got finished to what I was aiming, due to the lack of gears. Yet, I realy like the model.

STEP 1: Axle: Parts

This image roughly shows what parts are needed to create the axle.

For the axle itself, you need the following parts:
- the axis: 2 red (prefferably beige [stronger]) rods. (or the longer, black ones if you need a longer axle)
- the support rods: 2 red rods (I rather use the orange ones with the small 'endings' at both sides)
- 13 grey connectors(1 slot)
- 4 orange connectors (2 slot's at 180°)
- 2 large gears
- 4 blue rings
- 2 Y-connectors (from the man-figurines)

Then, to finish the whole construction, you also need:

- 2 white connectors (8 slots), or enything else that needs to support the axle in your construction.
- blue or grey rings to protect eny moving parts from dragging against the supportive mechanism.

Note that some of the grey connectors at both ends could be replaced by rings, but that's up to your own likings.

STEP 2: Axle: Step 1

Put both gear on one of the red connectors (remind: prefferably the strong version which has a beige color)

Then at both sides, put a grey connector for both gears.

STEP 3: Axle: Step 2

Then take another red rod and put it trough the hole of the grey connectors, and the hole in the big gear.
Connect the orange connectors to this red gear, with their centre holes on the axle.
This step can be done without forcing the rods by just sliding them back and forth.

STEP 4: Axle: Step 3

Now add the second gear on the red rod and connect another orange connector to it.
This connector will 'belong' to the second gear.

The next 'step' will be adding the final orange connector, but because this is an important step, I chose to put it apart from this one, while it more belongs part of this step.

STEP 5: Axle: Step 3.5

Now, to add the final orange connector, the rods will have to be bend a little.
For this, slide second gear and the connectors completely to the other side. (Just like the pickture shows.)

Otherwise it'll be very hard to put it there, or will even damage your rods.

STEP 6: Axle: Step 4

Now slide the gears and their connectors apart again and add the last red rod on the orange connectors.

STEP 7: Axle: Step 5

Add three of the grey connectors in the middle, just like shown in the pickture.
It's not that important if they're the other way around (compared to the other grey connectors and the gear opening.), but I preffer it this way.

STEP 8: Axle: Step 6

We're near to completing the centre of the axle. Add blue rings to the axle in both openings.
Then, put Y connectors to the centre (so push the blue rings to the outer side).

STEP 9: Axle: Step 7

To finish the axle, put 3 grey connectors to both sides. Then add the supportive connectors (which are now placed at a red rod's distance (if you use connectors and red rods that reach over the gear)

Now you can add whatever you want on the rest of the axle, like I attached legs for my walkers.


Note, that to take this apart, it's best you work all the steps backwards. Though, for a quick adjustment on the axles, it's easy if you just pull out the Y connectors and the axis rods will be able to shove back a whole end.

STEP 10: Walker V1

Here are some picktures on my first walker.

It has 6 feet, which move in groups of 3. (Thus, alligned at 180°)


Some of the picktures contain the 3V motor, but this doesn't work as well as the net-supplied motor.

STEP 11: Walker V2

This is my second version I tried to make.
I wanted to build it bigger so I went to 12 (smaller) feet. (shifted 90° instead of 180°)
However, to save on gears, I had to place those a lot closer to each other. Result: it was just as long as the first one and less high.

Then I aimed to hold each feet on 2 axles. After figuring everything out (and a lot of gear constructions later), I calculated that I'd need more gears.

I have now quit the attempt to finish this second walker, but it did work as far as basic walking goes.

Cheers

Comments

[ryry2011]

will you sub for subPLEASE I DID=D

[Tornado96]

Great instructable! I've always needed to use something like that.
Big walker V2 wouldn't have been able to go very far because it has electric motors. ;-)

[floris2burn]

So did V1.

V2 just got too heavy. Too much gears, etc.

I've broken a lot of parts already caus of too much stress on the axles.

[Tornado96]

Must of been a real pain.

[TigerNod]

DUDE! Now that's just awesome. Really, amazing work! A full 5 stars on this one.

[Kairah]

Correct me if I'm wrong but since you have 6 pair of feet, would it not be better to have the feet shifted 360/6=60 degrees instead of 90 (by adjusting the gears)? That way it should walk more fluently. It's nicely made anyway, but that might be an idea for walker v3? 5*

[floris2burn]

I don't have 6 pair of feet, I have 4 groups of 3 feet.

A (big)  robot isn't realy stable on 2 feet, they'd need a realy big surface on the ground for the robot to be able to stand stable.

Also, the robot's weight is more distributed when using more feet. (Though, more feet requires a bigger and heavier robot)

[Kairah]

Ah, I was thinking too much of how the strandbeest works..  I guess you are right, especially on this scale. 

[bumboozer]

You could make that into a foot and then make two of them and then make a giant human

[~KGB~]

wow! thats impresive! 5*