Introduction: K'nex Strandbeest
Strandbeests, which means "beach beasts," are a type of kinetic sculpture made by Theo Jansen. These sculptures are able to walk with only wind power. After designing the walkers with a special algorithm, he races them on the beach to measure their fitness and incorporates the best traits to modify improve the design. The designs grow more complex over time, and have artificial stomachs, obstacle detection and other features. This video should give you an overview.
Here is a video of my Strandbeest. It has terrible traction on concrete, and the motor is a bit underpowered.
Step 1: Gather Pieces
Connectors
- 12 white
- 60 yellow
- 12 red
- 10 orange
- 80 grey
End Connectors
- 20 tan lock
Rods
- 3 black
- 36 red
- 72 yellow
- 30 blue
- 20 green
Motors and Wheels
- 1 trekker motor
Step 2: Design
K'nex was a limitation in the design, as the rod lengths only came in certain lengths. Creating intermediate lengths with rods and connectors would weaken the structure and increase weight. The lengths used here can be modified, but the K'nex motors will probably be too weak to power anything larger. Also the joints were not entire pieces, so the ends would twist a great deal, requiring a heavy double-layer design.
Keep in mind that this is a very very basic design. It does not have numerous legs, so the movement is very unstable. More legs can be added by simply attaching legs at different points along the central axle.
Step 3: Build Basic Structures
Build these basic structures of the leg.
Step 4: Build a Leg
Combine the elements from the previous step. Note the different layers the pieces are on in the third image.
Step 5: Build Second Half of Leg
Build and complete the legs. Note which layer each component is on.
Step 6: Build the Truss
Built the truss and attach components.
Step 7: Build the Opposite Side
The Strandbeest is symmetrical, so now build the other side, but reflect the layering of your pieces.
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81 Comments
6 years ago
Very cool, although halfway through construction I ran out of several different pieces. Your piece count was WAY off.
8 years ago on Introduction
does it have to be a treker moteor
9 years ago on Introduction
adding more legs will help with the moon-walking, increasing the friction between the feet and the floor/ground
9 years ago on Introduction
on the video it looks like its doing the moonwalk
11 years ago on Introduction
theo jansens dont have motors though
11 years ago on Introduction
This is cool, this is the next thing I was going to attempt after I took apart my K'nex clock.
AWESOME!
12 years ago on Introduction
LOL It almost looks like a moon walk.
12 years ago on Step 1
what are the 3 black rods
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
the strengthened black rods are used to connect the to pairs of leg he used in the strandbeast, if you dont have any, use the grey/orange long knex rods
12 years ago on Step 1
You are insanely smart, and this thing is truly "beest"!
13 years ago on Introduction
Such fascinating examples of kinetic art! Can they be ridden like a bicycle and steered? Could they hold my weight? GAH! I have to find out more! =P
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Try with pvc pipe.
Here is a template i made for the strandbeest designs
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13 years ago on Introduction
(Factoid)
The walking mechanism you are using is called a ''Clan Linkage''
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Actually, a Klann Linkage seems to be pretty different from the linkage used in Jansen's Strandbeests. Here is a comparison: http://www.mechanicalspider.com/comparison.html
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
With link this time. http://www.mechanicalspider.com/comparison.html
13 years ago on Introduction
i made a six-legged strandbeest. it walks perfectly in a straight line, i will try to get a picture or a vid on youtube.
14 years ago on Introduction
Same as Oompa-Loompa. I am definitely making one of these. (I just need a motor first) I have thousands of pieces, but no motors. Very sad.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
oompa loompa WAS smart, now he is just average.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
I got my motors from roller coaster sets, they have lots of rods and a motor. Just make sure it isn't a plug in model if you are going for something mobile
13 years ago on Introduction
what motor is that the 12v one??????? i only have the motor below.