K'NEX Motor & Gear Guide

This instructable will be about the use of K'NEX Motors and gears. The last part will focus on a the K'NEX cyber system.

Summary of steps:

1. Gear characteristics
2. Some gear connections
3. Motor characteristics
4. Cyber K'NEX explained - Intro
5. The Processor
6. The Motors & Battery Packs
7. The IR-Controller

I hope you will learn something about the different k'nex motors there are or see new gear connections.

Step 1: Gear Characteristics

Step 2: Useful Gear Connections

The pictures speak for themselves, hopefully.

These are just examples I made up to show what is possible. Each type of gear connection in a model, requires a different approach, so it's hard to make it standard.

Click here for the link to the K'NEX differential

A differential makes sure a car can make turns without the wheels making alot of friction with the ground.

It is also used to combine the power of two motors together. It is then called an "adder". This is sometimes used in (toy) tanks.

Step 3: Motor Characteristics

All indicated motors can be bought here.

Step 4: Cyber K'NEX Explained - Intro

Cyber K'NEX was a part of K'NEX building line that let you make robot models that would either move on their own and react on their surroundings, or were controlled by the cyber K'NEX remote.

The sets were sold from around 2002 until 2007 (not 100% sure) and came in 4 sets:

1. Hyper Wheels
2. Cybots
3. Ultra Set
4. Cyber Swarm

In the next steps I will show how to set up the system.

Link for Front Loader video

Link for Fork Lift video

Link for Armoured Vehicle video

Step 5: The Processor

The processor is the "brain" of the Cyber K'NEX system.

It has 6 cables coming from it:

1. The processor's ON-switch
2. The Cyber Port
3. Black Connector (for motor pack 1)
4. Blue Connector (for motor pack 2, motors 2 & 3)
5. 2 seperate LED lights

Step 6: The Motors & Battery Packs

As seen in the last picture, there are several ways to connect the battery packs and motors to your model. I've found that this is actually a nice system, and I make it a sport to put them so that they are as invisible and compact as possible.

Step 7: The IR-Controller

The IR-controller lets you control all models from the Ultra Set, plus the programmable key.

Personally I like the Sarge Cyber key the best, because I make alot of steered vehicles with wheels and this key offers a steering mechanism.

Next to that, the programmable key doesn't make so many noises and childish sounds.

I hope you've found this instructable informative and learnful. It would be great if you can use some tips in your next K'NEX model.

! If you like it, please vote for it in the K'NEX contest !

Thanks alot!

Comments

[s0200311]

Something I must ask you, gworks, would you please post instructions on a cyber knex model?

[The Real Phil Swift]

There's also the dual tethered motor.

[The Real Phil Swift]

There's the command-a-bot motor and the rc burnout motor.

[The Real Phil Swift]

Where can you find the IR controller?

[GWorks]

Hi! I got it off ebay. It costed me around 15$. Sometimes they sell it, but it's not common. You have the rest of the Cyber Knex parts?

[The Real Phil Swift]

No. I'm looking for the whole thing.

[GWorks]

Even then the best option is to look for the set at Ebay. Search for "Cyber K'NEX ultra"

[The Real Phil Swift]

Thanks! I found the rght onen.

[Ethan1023]

I've made a contraption that spins at 1/5.68 RPM.

[GWorks]

I guess it uses at least one of those big gears :) hope the gear calculator works

[Ethan1023]

It utilizes 3 14-tooth gears, each driving an 84-tooth gear.

[GWorks]

And which motor are you using? and for what application? Sounds pretty slow haha

[Ethan1023]

34 RPM, Standard Green motor. I actually added another gear, lowering it to 1/40 RPM. I have another large gear around my house somewhere, I just have to find it.

[GWorks]

Haha, lol that's pretty slow

[hunter999]

Like I commented on Akshats 'Ible, you're missing a motor. The ultimate big air ball tower orange one that lifts the balls with air. Technically that is a motor :p it uses C batteries I believe.

[sonic broom]

Nice guide! will you add information for the new robotics set when it come out?

[GWorks]

I do not know of any new robotics sets coming out. Could you please provide me some information where you found this? I checked the K'NEX website, and there's just the K-Force stuff on as "new" sets...

Thanks :) and I await your reply

[sonic broom]

Here is the video.

[GWorks]

Thanks for the video. The new robotics system sure looks promising and more advanced than the Cyber K'nex from 2000; more something like LEGO's NXT or EV3 sets.

As far as I can see it has a main controller, and several sets attached to this units
I can spot -what I think is- a touch sensor,
Then a colour sensor in it's mouth,
Maybe a ultrasonic sensor
Then I think there's 2 motors, since the screen tells always 2 functions.

To answer your question then:
I'm not yet sure when detailed info will be available, since the sets will take some time until they're released. I'll try to include new info of course, but I don't think I will purchase the set in the first place, since it's 400$.

[sonic broom]

The new robotics set does look like good move for KNEX but a price decrees would be good. But they seem to be focusing on the education market. It would be great for you to include information. And after the set comes out then maybe the price will decline.