Camel Foot Contest

[FayRhodes]

The wheel used as feet for my camel design came from the Education Resource set, but now LEGO has exchanged that wheel for another that lacks the TECHNIC pin holes—making it unusable for the foot. I can come up with other feet, but I thought it would be fun to hold a contest and see what good ideas y'all might come up with. So here's the deal:

Contest purpose—Find the "best" alternate design for the camel's feet—from pieces that are readily available
Contest period—May 15–June 15 (at midnight, Eastern Standard Time)
Judge—Me, Fay Rhodes, author of the Zoo book
Prize for the winner—A copy of the Zoo book—which can be signed, if you like.
Method—Post your solutions on this forum. You can use photos or any CAD format—just so long as it is clear.
Include your name and home state or country. When I choose the winner, I will announce it on this forum and request that you contact me.


Fay Rhodes

[snowblader13]

Here are 2 that i came up with:

The first one is an adapted idea that Brian Davis suggested in your first post, The problem with it though is that there is not enough of those pieces in the two sets.

The second is My idea that i came up with. I am not sure if the camel uses any of the pieces, but there is enough of them in the two sets.

I have the LDraw files if you would like them as well.

Andrew Stein,

Spokane, Washington USA

[DaveParker]

See attached pictures.

1. Real Camel Foot
2. (DCP_6022.jpg) Simple Design uses only 2 rubber pieces per foot (base retail NXT kit has 8, so you can make 4 feet with it)
3. (DCP_6023.jpg) Using more rubber pieces, has full rubber bottom for better traction if needed, and toes splay out under pressure like real camel foot
4. (DCP_6024.jpg) This and similar variations if more heel balance is needed

-- Dave Parker (California, USA)

[Laurens200]

Two methods with parts widely available, the second uses even simpler parts.

Laurens, the Netherlands

[DMan]

Haha, I saw this last night and went to design something, and when I got on this morning to post it, it looks like Laurens had almost the same thing! I did make mine differently enough to show it, though.

Major difference: I use axles instead of the pins, and as the picture shows, I ran the 2 long axles from the leg down through the short beam and seated them in between spokes in the wheel. That last part is important--it added a lot of stability to the design. I was actually pretty surprised at how strong it is.

I can provide more pictures if needed, my apologies that I don't know how to use CAD software, but this is such a simple design that a few pictures should suffice.

Daniel English,
Hereford, TX, USA

[snowblader13]

Here is another one that i came up with. This uses the least amount of parts that ive seen so far. parts are availuable in both the retail and Resource Kits

Andrew Stein
Spokane, WA USA

[mpscholz]

Hallo Fay,

Here's my contribution (click on the thumbnails for a larger image):


Somewhat demanding when it comes to number of parts, but rather stable on the other hand; and I tried to come up with something that resembles a real camel foot (as posted by Dave).
Building instructions for this foot can be found here.

[FayRhodes]

I'll be testing these all out with a bright 11-year old and her mother, who is a math teacher. I'm really looking forward to seeing who wins!

[mpscholz]

I'll be testing these all out with a bright 11-year old and her mother, who is a math teacher.

So would you need building instructions for my contribution?
I could deliver them at need.

[FayRhodes]

The designs don't seem too difficult, but anyone who wants to send building images will be appreciated.

[mpscholz]

Fay,

The designs don't seem too difficult, but anyone who wants to send building images will be appreciated.

I have updated my entry to include a link to Building Instructions now.

[FayRhodes]

Thanks, Matthias!

[basicxman]

My entry with pictures and building instructions is at:
http://theroboticsuniverse.com/nxt/camelfoot.php

[FayRhodes]

These are great ideas!

[basicxman]

These are great ideas!

i know this is not quite the place to ask this, but im a fourteen year old web developer who needs some feedback, like the site?  im hoping to place lots of NXT resources there (another article for it that I'm working on is http://theroboticsuniverse.com/nxt/structure.php)