Tripod Gun
Remote controlled gun, in two versions. Both feature full rotation and a sophisticated positioning system, one features rotated barrel and illuminated fiber optics, and the other features firing mechanism with an ammo clip.
Datasheet:
Completion date: 22/09/2008
Power: electric (Power Functions)
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
Suspension: none
Motors: 5 x PF Medium
The basic idea of this construction was a tripod made of three independently controlled linear actuators. It sounds simple, but was quite challenging, since I wanted to be able to control it by moving only one actuator at a time. It was possible only with three actuators, and only with a very specific geometry of the element that connected their tips. The tripod was set on a Hailfire Droid wheel, that served as a base for the rotation mechanism. On the tripod, there was a simple gun with rotated barrel and the fiber optics element powered by a single motor. When I’ve been building this version, I’ve learnt about the firing mechanism developed by the LUGPol user Duku. With his kind permission, I have installed on the tripod a second version of the gun, that looked completely different, but was able to actually fire projectiles.
Despite its simplicity, the gun was able to fire 12 projectiles over a couple of seconds at a range of up to 3 meters. The ammo clip was moved by the gravity, and ejected from the gun when empty. The whole mechanism has later become a subject of my study, with the intent of using it in some military models.
@Sariel
yes, The lego mindstorms ev3 (home)
I took a hard shock absorber out of my Unimog and rebuilt the cannon with that and it fired the rounds up to four metres away whereas the normal ones you used fired them three metres away so using harder shock absorbers does not bring much more speed but slows down the firing rate. And I experienced some problems when firing at a high fire rate-the clip doesnt “fall down” quick enough.
So shooting the rounds one by one is better and also gives more accuracy.
@Witherley
I think it’s both, actually.
@Sariel
By “official” you’re confusing me as to whether the mechanism’s designed by a LEGO designer, or they made a brand new component. I’m assuming the former.
@Witherley
There already is an official Lego mechanism that can shoot Zamor spheres from a clip. You’ll find it in Mindstorms set, I believe.
Could the firing mechanism be easily adapted to shoot zamor spheres? Because being a Bionicle nerd before I got into Technic building I have a plentiful supply.
@Motor
Yes.
is it posible to make the working gun with the new hard shock absorber?
@robogod
Good luck then, because they are extremely rare and expensive: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=x784
I am sorry to ask a mundane question about such a nice creation, but what is the number for that wheel that the whole thing is sitting on? I fell in love with http://www.isogawastudio.co.jp/legostudio/modelgallery_model/a047.html and now I have to have them but I cant find it anywhere on bricklink. Thanks!
@Brian
I think it’s a long pin. <a href="http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemIn.asp?P=6558&colorID=11&in=A
@Brian
I believe that what you are talking about is this piece
http://www.peeron.com/inv/parts/48989
@Sariel
I have one ? on the back where the shock connects in between the to right angel 5×3 there is a axle connector to hold the back stiff when shooting what part is that u dont show a good pic of it and i dont see that connector in my parts and then there is a flat under it does that go all the way accross or is it a shory piece hope u can help brian
@Brian
I hope you succeed, it’s not really as complex as it seems.
@Sariel
ok i see the other pics yeah i will give it a shot thansk so much , i will let u know how it works
@Brian
Everything is clearly shown on photos. If you can’t built it from these, I don’t see how is the instruction going to help you.
hello i was lookin at ur gun would realy like to see if u could put step by step instructons up so we could see how u built the gun could u do that even if its just the top of the gun the fireing mech u can send them to my e mail even if u could that would be awesome
@Alexander
Errr… I did not. These are complete Lego parts.
@Sariel
Ok thanks anyway…
Hello, great work with all your model’s btw, but how did you design the actuators which control the tilt?? this is causing me all sorts of grief…
@sharan
Well, I can wish you good luck.
Hi sariel !! I’m thinking of building a radio controlled gun could u help me plzz..
Sorry, that’s confusing, I mean for all the creations that use the wheel, not the tripod @Neil
Great design, and the tripod-linear actuator idea can be used for other things too. Maybe you could add “hailfire wheel” to the tags, for all the designs that use it? Thanks 😉
@charles
Sounds great, could you drop me a link?
i made a fireingmechanism that would do fine on this gun and there is no limit on the clipsize. the only catch is the you have to build the projectiles but it shoots hard, far and accurate. its with pnuematics
@gimba96
You’re right, my mistake.
@Ben
There are 14 LEGO sets with this shock absorber, I’m sure you can get some of these: http://peeron.com/inv/parts/2909c01
@Sariel
Doesn’t seem normal to me, but anyway, what set did you get it with (if it came in a set)?
@Ben
It’s done with a common shock absorber.
Do you think it would be possible to do this with a common shock absorber?
Thanks.By the way it’s cool
@Victor ruiz
Listen, all I have are these photos and I’m sure this mechanism can be built from these. Actually I have rebuilt it myself by looking at these photos. It’s nothing tricky, just look closely at the pics.
how many controls does it uses?
Hey can you give me some tips on the firing mech? all of my mechs mach nothing to yours.by the way wheres the motor to rotate it. i dont know how to put it stable to rotate.THANKS
@Sariel
Yeah, it hacks everthing. From ceramics to lego walls. Test build one yourself, it´s cool.
@Manne
Well, I guess it’s really powerful, isn’t it?
I used the firing mechanism for a jackhammer. I drive it with 2 xl motors geard up.