Re: FischerTechnik

Well I got my FT set (Robo Mobile) -- I have to say I'm a bit disappointed. 
It doesn't seem like I can build anything that isn't more or less a
variation on the core design of the set.  To get enough pieces to do
open-ended MOC's, you would have to spend thousands of dollars.

Plus, when you get down to it, I don't really want to re-learn all the
tricks I learned for Lego.  I'm a bit surprised at how much knowledge I seem
to have internalized around the Lego mindset.  It's not easy to change
horses midstream, as it were.

Anyone want to buy a slightly used FT robot set?

-dbm


--- danny staple <[email protected]> wrote:

> 
> On 28/08/05, PeterBalch <[email protected]> wrote:
> > 
> > 
> > > late last night I stumbled onto their website:
> > > http://www.fischertechnik.com/
> > > Does anyone have a set, and/or have any experience building with it? 
> How
> > > does it compare to Mindstorms?
> > 
> > I used to have fischertechnik but sold it and bought lego. My objections
> to
> > fischertechnik were:
> > 
> > It's bigger and heavier for the same mechanical functionality. So you
> need
> > bigger motors, batteries, etc.
> > 
> > The bricks don't click into "integer" positions but can slide around and
> so
> > require more bracing.
> > 
> > The axles are round so it's harder to fix the phase relationships of
> gears.
> > I was interested in building walking machines where fixed phase
> > relationships are essential.
> > 
> > I haven't looked at fischertechnik in 15 years so maybe these problems
> have
> > been solved.
> > 
> > Peter
> > 
> There are a couple of areas where FT does outshine Leg a little.
> Namely - Pneumatics - FischerTechnik has a larger range of cylinders,
> more advanced valves, serious compressors, and most importantly
> solenoids.
> 
> Also their robotics controller has a great deal more in terms of IO
> flexibility than the RCX. Although it appears to be somewhat larger.
> 
> I agree that their designs do mean that things slide around a bit -
> and have to be braced harder. I havent used it for a while though -
> but I seem to remember that the gear fixings were based upon grub
> screws. It is possible to build cross-system models with them both,
> and the push fits of Lego pneumatics are compatible with the FT
> pneumatics.
> 
> On the European/UK website some of the kits have handy PDF part
> catalogues - something that it would be handy for Lego to do, although
> we do have Peeron.
> 
> OrionRobots
> -- 
> http://orionrobots.co.uk - Build Robots
> 


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