Lego Technic

LEGO TECHNIC is a product line of LEGO toys composed of special mechanical pieces and intricate designs. Lego Technic sets model real-world vehicles and machines with functional, moving parts. Lego Technic is aimed at older children as the sets have many small parts that may pose a choking hazard and also have complex building instructions that require some dexterity to complete. Introduced in 1977, Lego Technic sets consist of a range of plastic gears, axles, wheels, Lego bricks, and an assortment of other parts to create a model machine. Lego Technic incorporates many engineering principles, such as gears, differentials, pneumatics, and structural design.

Currently, Lego has a contest for building a Lego Technic model for the given theme. Each month there is a different theme and two weeks allotted to complete it. The contest continues until September.http://technic.lego.com/en-us/Competition/Default.aspx

Beams are straight or bent pieces that have holes. The holes can be used to create connections to other pieces using special connectors. Lego Technic relies less on the stud connection of regular Lego sets. In fact, some newer beams have become studless. The beam holes allow for new building possibilities, sturdier structures, and hold axles and other pieces in place. The bent beams are useful in forming right triangles and providing the correct spacing for gears, as well as adding to the aesthetic design.

8049 Tractor with Log Loader This model is a tractor with an attached log loader with a pneumatic arm with 525 pieces and listed at $59.99.

8048 Buggy A dune buggy with four wheel suspension that has 314 and a listed price of $39.99.

8047 Compact Excavator A small digger with belt tread which has 252 pieces and is listed at $24.99.

8046 Helicopter A small helicopter with rotating main and tail rotors with 152 pieces and has a price of $19.99.

8045 Mini Telehandler A small boom lift which can be rebuilt as a motorcylce with 117 pieces and is listed at $10.99.

8041 Race Truck The cab of a semi-truck that has a V-8 engine with moving pistons and has 608 pieces and a price of $59.99.

Lego Technic pieces are completely compatible with regular Lego pieces, as well as Lego Mindstorms. In fact, Lego Mindstorms comes with many pieces from Lego Technic.

Most Lego Technic sets do not come with an electric motor. Lego Power Functions add motors, switches and a wireless remote to a Technic set. Lego Mindstorms combines Lego Technic pieces with sensors, servo motors, and a programmable controller.

• Beams

• Gears

• Axles

• Connectors

• Pulleys

• Chains

• Pneumatics

• Suspensions

• Tires

• Motors

• Lego Technic Official Site

• Lego Technic MOC

• International Lego Users Group Network Technic Page