I will present you my work around loom machine.  Of course it is not the first attempt, I have made lot of attempt, searches and I present you the first working prototype. To read the complete development, you can read the translated page of setechnic. The aim is to build for the exhibition Fanabriques 2012 a automated mechanical loom (no RCX-NXT) which is capable of weaving  non stop during the exhibition (except maintenance time).
The prototype is quite validated. Concerning the functioning, I encourage you to read the article on Wikipedia : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loom it explains very well the functioning.Which is composed of:
1. Wood frame
2. Seat for weaver
3. Warp beam- let off
4. Warp threads
5. Back beam or platen
6. Rods – used to make a shed
7. Heddle frame – heald frame – harness
8. Heddle- heald – the eye
9. Shuttle with weft yarn
10. Shed
11. Completed fabric
12. Breast beam
13. Batten with reed comb
14. Batten adjustment
15. Lathe
16. Treadles
17. Cloth roll- takeup
My model is a flying shuttle model. Here is the basic cycle of weaving:

• The heddle frames move up

• The shuttle moves from righ to left

• The reed moves  and press the weaving pattern

• The heddle frame moves down

• The shuttle moves from left  to righ

• The reed moves  and press the weaving pattern

And the cycle is repeated. Now how I built that ? I have first of all build a basic chassis which support all the component:Then I have put in place a basic system of slider to lead the shuttle :You can see here the group of  reel which composed the 22 thread of the shed.After that, I have made the system for moving the shuttle called the pitcher (the green liftarms) :Each pitcher is linked with a rubber band in order to launch the shuttle. To make the movement and tighten the pitcher and the rubber band, I use a cam with variable profile. It is composed of 3 corner 3×3 technic. The last empty corner is to generate the launch of the shuttle :And in order to have a accurate pitchers, I have made two device of pre-tension. Indeed, the accuracy and velocity of the shuttle linked to the pitcher depend lot of the stretching of the rubber band.

At the end, all setting will be displayed on multiple dials (speed, pre-tension, movements). Also, after the group of reels, I have made two drums which grip the  22 thread of the shed in order to unroll slowly the shed and to control the tension for the sheed (again important for the functioning). The crossed reed is used to avoid the snarl.On the front, it is a big drum which winds  the complete weave. All drums are going to be synchronized in order to have a slowly and constant forward movement.Concerning  the shuttle, it is very simple and yet not so simple. Indeed, the shuttle must be smooth as possible in order to slide smoothly in the shed (no stop, no clash, no bump). That is why I used liftarms which have rounded shape. On a shuttle, 10m of thread is winded.Now concerning the « mechanization » of the loom. First of all, a XL motor with  2 8t/40t gear drives the main shaft. The shaft drives after the two system of cam for the pitcher and the system of control the heddle frame. Here is a underneath view :On the right and left view, you can see in blue the mechanism of control of the heddle frame. The system is not based on well-known lever and connecting rod. I use a lever but with a sliding connecting rod, also considered at variable length connecting rod. This system enable to have a output intermittent movement which is better for the application than linear motion.To finish : the loom works, it works good but not really accurate. I need to improve the accuracy and reliability. That is why I will build a second attempt by modifying the system of launcher. Indeed, as shown in the video, sometime, the shuttle doesn’t pass through the threads because of many small things:

• slider a bit smaller

• the reed a bit wrong placed

• the thread a bit not enough tight

All these faults are due to the system of rubber band which affects the right setting  (by constraining the structure and the impacts). That is why I will create a pushed shuttle system instead of launched shuttle system. Thanks to that, even if there are some fault, the shuttle will even passed because it is pushed.
To finish, the video :

With my previous trial truck, I wanted to create something different using different layouts for a prototype of crawler. The result of my work around it is this crawler called wheeled snake because of his principle of suspensions and steering which looks like a snake. In deed each axle is linked by the other using a 3 DOF ball join which enables to have lot of mobility.

The first idea I had was to use the principle of transmission on a bobcat which is called : differential steering : a motor by side therefore two motors. In order to build the 3 DOF join, I was not able to use the ball-join in the unimog because only one axle can pass through. That is why I have built a 3 DOF join using other parts. And in order to have the transmission and the suspension movements, I used CV-join which can slide on their axle. The first result is shown under :

But.. It didn’t work well. The principle of drive-train worked but the steering didn’t work well. Because the Lego remote is binary the differential steering didn’t work and the drive-train was under stress. Even with the proportional remote, it was not really handy. To finish, the CV-join can slide on their axle so it is really good for the suspension system but when the torque becomes to high, they break away. That is why, I have chosen to remove the principle of differential transmission and have replaced by a propulsion drive-train with one axle and a separated steering. The final result is shown under :

The 3 axles with differentials are driven by a XL motor with reductions : 12/20, 16/16, 20/28 and 8/24. The axles are equipped with portal axles which allow to gain more ground clearance. The steering is operated by a M motor with worm screw on a 24tooth gear and lever and arm. The steering operates only the first and second axle, the last follows like a trailer. The suspensions are made with the 3 DOF ball-joins of the unimog which enable to pass through the drive-train axle and to be robust. Concerning the suspension system, I wanted to have a free steering rotation but constrained rotation for the other DOF (swaying and pitching). After testing some solutions with springs and rubber bands, I have found the ultimate solution : simple and yet so flexible : the flex axle. It enables to constrain the suspension DOFs but let the steering free.

Concerning the climbing and off-road abilities, it is quite different from a standard trial truck but the multi-DOF articulated joins are very efficient on the ground. It enables to have the most wheels on the ground as possible. It gives also an other advantage : thanks to the high contact of the wheels, the three differentials don’t disturb the motivity, and enables a small turning radius. To finish, the low center of gravity compares to a normal truck permits a high stability on slope and banking slope. The inconvenient ? The crawler doesn’t work well in backward direction because of the system of steering (the last axle is a trailer).

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The building instructions :

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Also indexed at rebrickable : http://rebrickable.com/sets/nico71/wheeled-snake

As I have written in the review of the Lego Pneumatic Engine 3 In-line (LPE 3i), this is an engine based on the LPEpower works but rather modified. First of all, the pneumatic switches are new and not old which is better I think to rebuilt it. Secondly, the engine works without modifications (no drilling, no modified switch). The engine runs at 100 rpm without modifications but if you modifie it, it can run faster. Ansgar Mährlein has done the CAD model of the engine and created the building instructions therefore many thanks to him ! I have just added a connecting layout for the pneumatic hoses.

You can watch the building instructions by browsing the blog or download the PDF.

Downloading the high definition PDF building instructions. Model by Nico71, Instructions by  Ansgar Mährlein- 8mo, PDF

Want to check before if you can build the LPE3i ? The LPE3i has been indexed to Rebrickable.com, the website which matchs your parts with mocs !

[View with PicLens]

Regarding my previous Trial Vehicle, all were trucks, that is why I wanted to build a new trial vehicle with new design : a crawler. For that purpose, I wanted to use the Unimog Parts sold by Lego, notably : ball-joins, shock absorbers, panels and frame. The drive is operated by a XL motor with 12/20 and 8/24 reinforced portal hub wheels. The steering motor is located on the left side of the crawler and operates 2 cv-joins, 12/clutch and 8/24 which ensures a good reactivity and strength on the steering. Concerning the chassis, it is composed of two levels of beam which encircle the XL motor, gearbox and the battery box. The axle are live axles with 5 points : the massive ball-join, the two connecting rods, and the two shock absorbers attached to the upper level of the frame.

The crawler is also equipped with a winch located under the bonnet and a gearbox. The gearbox controlled the two outputs of the motor, either the drive, or the winch. The driving ring is simply operated by the red change over-catch located near the dashboard. This principle of functioning allows the wheels to rotate when the winch works. I have tried to link the winch with the wheels but the results were really problematic due to the slipping of the wheels on mud slopes. With this solution, I can operate the winch only or the drive only which is reassuring for the two devices.

Also, in order to have a nice design, I have considered different places for the engine and the best was on the rear with a big detailed engine. For that, I used chromed bricks bought at Chrome Block City and lot of special part like the gray panel or tailpipe bricks. Concerning the result : it is exactly what I wanted, looks good and big with a powerful impression. To continue with the design process, I have also considered lot of solutions to design the global shape. I wanted to use the orange panel, but they are in low quantity in the unimog. That is why I have chosen the black color for the frame in order to match with the orange color. In order to stay in crawler design, I have made a tube-shaped design which has the advantages to be light and easily removable. To conclude with the climbing abilities : video says more than thousand words.

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I have created the building instructions. You can download the HD PDF or browsing the website :

Downloading the high definition PDF building instructions. Trial Crawler by Nico71 – 15mo, PDF

Want to check before if you can build the Trial Crawler ? The Trial Crawler has been indexed to Rebrickable.com, the website which matchs your parts with mocs !

[View with PicLens]

Bonus : the teaser of the crawler published on the 15th February :

I wanted for a while to build a RC car which was powerful, fun and reliable. I have started to build a 4×4 transmission on a little car like the Fiat Panda 4×4 but because of the friction of the drive-train, the car was not really powerful. I decided to create a propulsion car with the return to center steering and based on the Lancia Montecarlo but again it was a fail because of the design. The scale was too small to manage enough detail, consequently, it was ugly. I was not able to increase the scale because I wanted a powerful car so the lightest car as possible. Therefore, I have searched a way to manage the problem of power and design links to the scale and have found thanks to the half life 2 game : the jalopy.

In deed, the jalopy has not a complete bodywork, which permits me to obtain a nice design without overload even through the small scale. Also I have placed a RC motor on the rear axle in order to obtain enough power and have placed laterally the steering motor with 12/12 bevel gear which makes possible the building of a complete system of suspension.  Consequently, the front axle has independent suspensions with double wishbones system which comes from the Rebel Wrecker. Concerning the rear suspension, the motor is attached to the double swinging arm with the shock absorbers on the left side.

The main difficulty was to build around the battery box. In deed, the battery box had to be placed on the center of the car for weigh repartition and it had not compromise the design of the interior. I have solved the problem by using the battery box as a part of the frame : it contributes to the stiffness of the frame. To finish with the return to center steering, I use a modified version of Sheepo’s RTC steering which is very reliable and reactive. Conbining to the power of the RC motor and the fun of the suspensions : the jalopy is a fun RC lego car.

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I have made the building instructions, you can watch them by browsing the blog or

downloading the high definition PDF building instructions. HL2 charger  by Nico71 – 10 mo, PDF

Want to check before if you can build the HL2 Charger  ? The Charger has been indexed to Rebrickable.com, the website which matchs your parts with mocs !

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I am an old car and motorbike enthusiast and I own a Honda CG 125, so why not making a replica in Lego ? In order to give you a short history, the CG was made for developing nations in the 70’s. The basic aim was to build a reliable, simple and powerful motorbike with scarcely maintenance and servicing. In deed, the environment was really hard and many of buyers didn’t take care of their motorbikes. The engine was really simple with a 4 stroke OVH with gear camshaft rather than distribution chain. Also, a waterproof housing has been mounted on the rear transmission chain in order to reduce the wear and tear by environment. Consequently, the Honda CG has become the most widespread motorbike in developing nations and was produced during 35 years (today again !) with of course improvements.

Concerning the Lego replica, I wanted to build the replica like the real motorbike : with a frame and a separated bodywork.  In order to set up different bodyworks and make some variations according to widespread modifications in the 70’s. That is why the bodywork including the saddle and the fuel tank had to not contribute to the stiffness of the frame. The second important point was the design of the fuel tank and the saddle, especially the shape. In order to manage to create the shape of the tank, I used one end of Hose 75 in order to assemble the two sides and accept some deformations. Concerning the saddle, I used two soft axles to build the back shape. The last important point was the engine. I knew that at this scale, I couldn’t manage to create the OVH system so I chose to make the maximum of details around it. Finally I have ordered some chromed part in this store to complete the engine, the turn signal, the exhaust and the headlight.

As I wrote before, I have also created two other widespread modifications of the CG : a Café Racer and a Scrambler also known as Dirt Track. The Café racer version receives a special saddle and handlebar and the Dirt Track is a CG purged of all accessories with dirt tires.

I have also ordered some other chromed parts for future bike I will create.

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I have created the building instructions.

downloading the high definition PDF building instructions. Honda CG 125 1676 by Nico71 – 10 mo, PDF

Want to check before if you can build the Honda CG 125  ? The Honda CG 125 has been indexed to Rebrickable.com, the website which matchs your parts with mocs !

[View with PicLens]

Let’s back to January 2007, it was the end of my dark-age thanks to the 8420. During 8 months, I created moc with my small collection only composed of the 8420, 8436 and 8284. It was mainly trucks and cars. In September, I discovered the french community Setechnic, I was consequently not alone working with Lego. Then with my diligent work at setechnic, I became a moderator and continue to create mocs. In December, 2010 I decided to create my own blog in English, why ? For many reasons : I have tried Mocpages but it was not really good (loading time, convenience, user-friendly). At the same time, I was featured many time on Technicbricks and started to read Eurobricks Forum. That is because I had had English readers that I decided to create this blog. In order to reduce the amount of time to manage my website, I decided to put all my work on my blog for English people and used the blog for the storage of building instructions.

Nico71.fr, what is it ?

Nico71, it is :

• 1000 visitors / day
• 3500 read page /day
• 90 mocs, 40 building instructions
• 123 videos / 3400 pictures

My website groups all my work with Lego, as far as I started to take pictures. Since 2009, I decided to create the building instructions because people always asked for it. The statistics show that it is the most searched things for those who read the blog. That is why, I recently decided to group all the building instructions on nico71.fr rather than Brickshelf. Also, I have decided to put online exclusively HD pictures on nico71.fr, the lower resolution are hosted at brickshelf and are used for forum convenience. The aim is to regroup all you need here to build my moc, including of course the building instructions, the bill of material and picture taken from the finished model. This is the purpose of this blog :

Some statistics about Nico71.fr

Here are some stats about my blog. I would like to thank you my source of traffic like Sariel, Sheepo, Crowkiller, Technicbrick Rebrickable…

The most searched pages by users :

It is not surprising that the most searched things on this blog are the building instructions or things related to.

The most source of traffic :

Stats are displayed for one year.

The YouTube Partner Program

Since February, 2010, I was invited to join the partner program from YouTube. This program enables the broadcasters to display ads on their video and receive incomes for that. Today, All my video are monetized. In order to put music on my videos without problem of commercial uses or copyrights, I have decided to put music under common licences with authorization of commercial uses. This kind of music are not easy to find but I use ccmixer.org.

I have always the same questions about the partner program : how many do I earn ? I wouldn’t answer because of the TOS of google and because it is out of place to talk about money in a passion. But, if you want an estimation, I earn enough money to buy all Lego set in a year I want, what I do not because of the place I have in my collection. I have of course also some expenditures for running the blog (host and domain) which are covered by the monthly earning. An other advantage from the partner program is the possibility to display special background on my channel with is in fact a copy of linked nico71.fr’s banner.

Regarding youtube statistics, here are some :

• 2.500.000 views for all videos
• 123 videos
• 2500 subscribers

The most viewed video is the Crawler Excavator which is clearly NOT my favorite video. In 2010 I buy a bridge camera with HD video in order to make better videos, and I think I am on the good way to do the achievement. The best marked videos are the Morgan three Wheeler and the Pneumatic Vehicle which are in fact exotic mocs. The Morgan is one of my favorite moc, with the Trial Jeep, Tatra T815, Roadster and some excavator I did.

Development of the blog – past and future

As I said, the development of the blog has started in December 2010. I have started with some written posts and gallery but I have implemented many other functions after. The first was of course the browsing gallery which enables me to manage the pictures and the gallery with the thick-box navigation system. I have implemented after the YouTube box and the facebook account and write the Frequently Asked Questions because I was tired t to always repeat the same thing in comment of by email.

In 2011 I have decided to group all building instructions on the blog, either in PDF file of ZIP file. This is the best achievement I did because now all is on my blog, there are not building instructions on brickshelf or elsewhere. There is only one place to get all needed things to build my mocs. Of course, all mocs who have digital instructions have been indexed on rebrickable in order to facilitate the matching with your parts.

At the moment, I think the functions of the blog are quite sufficient to follow my work, read and comment. Today I am mainly working to increase the speed of the blog and searching options.

Concerning creating moc, I always create moc with lot of ideas. You have certainly noticed that I have not made construction equipment for some time, that is why I was quite tired by this field and consequently decided to create some more exotic things like machines, specials car and so on. The last choice I decided is to make more building instructions. Now when I have made a moc that you like, I made building instructions as well as photo-sequence and a bill of material by using the part picker from Rebrickable. That is why you can now match your parts with my mocs even if there are not digital files for the moc. To compare with using SR3D builder and then Lpub4.0 for rendering the building instructions, it takes me really less time to create the instructions using a photo sequence and the part picker of rebrickable, which I think is enough for building my mocs.

To finish, I would like to thank you for your remark, comment and your support and wish you merry Christmas and happy new year !

Nico71

This CVT was based on Zblj’s works. It enables a variable ratio on the output from 1:1 to 1:5. The CVT chooses the most suitable ratio functions of the resistive torque on the output. The principle is based on two differentials which are connected side by side with a first gear : 1:1 and a second gear on the other side : 1:5. The side with the 1:5 gear has also a friction pin in order to limit the rotation.

While there is not resistive torque (or low), the rotation goes through by the 1:1 gear because the 1:5 has locking torque thanks to the friction pin. When a torque is detected, the friction pin starts to spin and the rotation goes through the 1:5 gear which reduces the speed and increases the torque, the speed of the motor remains constant.

The two mechanical tachometers are not useful for the functioning of the CVT, they are useful to visualise the instantaneous speed of the motor (on the left) and of the output (on the right). Of course when the torque become too high, (around more than 5x motor torque), the speed of motor is reduced.

This CVT enables to have :

• A constant speed of the motor (200 rpm)
• A infinity of variable ratio between 1:1 and 1:5
• A variable speed between 200rm (1:1) and 40 rpm (1:5)
• A variable torque between 50N.cm (1:1 = motor torque) and arround 250N.cm (1:5)

Of course, some torque are lost because of the friction pin but the torque is increased by 5 so the loss is negligible regarding the increase.

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Here is some pictures in order to re-built it. You can also download the ZIP file – 2mo.

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]]> http://www.nico71.fr/continuously-variable-transmission/feed/ 6 http://www.nico71.fr/piaggio-ape/ http://www.nico71.fr/piaggio-ape/#comments Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:00:54 +0000 Nico71 http://www.nico71.fr/?p=1219 Read the Rest...

An icon of Italy, features drive, steering, suspensions, and fake engine.

A short time after come back from Italy, I decided to create one of the most emblematic vehicle in Italy : the Piaggio APE. My model was based on pre-70′ APE which have a lot of curved shape and a mudguard attached on the front wheel.

Regarding the functions, a Xl drives the rear differential, then two CV-join power the rear wheels. The steering is operated by a M-motor with a worm screw on a 24t clutch gear and then a connecting rod with a lever. The suspension are composed of two swinging arms on the rear and one on the front. In addition, a fake engine was placed on the rear which is connected to the differential with 20/12t gear multiplication. Of course, some parts of the moc can be opened for instance the doors and the tool-storage.

The frame was built for two purposes : simple and robust. That is why the frame is composed of HOT beam underneath in order to gain room. Then the bodywork was arranged to fit on this frame with some connections and of course a rounded shape thanks to new panels. To finish, the Piaggio is fully remote and functional :

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I have created the building instructions. You can watch them by browsing my website or

downloading the high definition PDF building instructions. Piaggio APE by Nico71 – 8 mo, PDF

Want to check before if you can build the Piaggio APE  ? The Piaggio APE has been indexed to Rebrickable.com, the website which matchs your parts with mocs !

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]]> http://www.nico71.fr/piaggio-ape/feed/ 6 http://www.nico71.fr/morgan-three-wheeler/ http://www.nico71.fr/morgan-three-wheeler/#comments Sat, 01 Oct 2011 10:20:22 +0000 Nico71 http://www.nico71.fr/?p=1010 Read the Rest...

]]> An English exotic car, features steering, suspensions, big block Harley Davidson engine with pushrods and rockers, gearbox and boot which opens.

I have been planning for a while to build a 3-wheel car. This exotic car is made by the British manufacturer Morgan. The big block Engine is a Harley Davidson’s Engine with pushrod system and rockers. Usually, the engine has two push-rods and two rockers by cylinder (inlet and exhaust valve). But on the lego version, I had only 3 stud-width available so I decided to put only one pushrod with rocker because of the room. I also decided to have visible moving part to be more expressive (real version doesn’t have visible pushrods or rockers). Then the drive-shaft goes to the gearbox ,which is an 4-speed gearbox based on #8880 modified version. The following ratios are : 1:1 1:2 1:3 1:6. Then, the drive-shaft goes to a bevel gear, and finally the main drive-chain.

Regarding the suspensions, the front suspensions are composed of double wishbones with hard shock-absorbers. The rear suspensions is a swinging arm with two soft shock-absorbers. Note that the center of rotation of the rear arm is not the center of rotation of the pinion-chain. The body was the most difficult part of this moc, because of this shape and the room. The first thing I have done is to design the hood. Then, I designed the right and left panel while trying to be homogeneous in the shape (discontinuity in alignment). To finish, I have made the rear shape and that was the most difficult part. All designed lines had to cross each other to be elegant, including the opening of the boot.

The interior shape has also received a lot of attention. I have managed the global shape by using flex parts all around the interior and by matching the panel with the flex (there was not much space to include gearbox, seats and interior). The shape is not perfectly accurate but the global shape and scale are respected. Also, the boot can be opened (in the correct direction) and the Hood can be removed as on real version.

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I have created the building instructions. You can watch them by browsing my webiste or

downloading the high definition PDF building instructions. Morgan Three Wheeler by Nico71 – 20 mo, PDF

Want to check before if you can build the Morgan Three Wheeler ? The Morgan Three Wheeler has been indexed to Rebrickable.com, the website which matchs your parts with mocs !

[View with PicLens]

Designed in 2011

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