BOOST

Vortex Candy Launcher

Jason

This year for Halloween, I decided to build a mini chocolate throwing machine using the LEGO BOOST kit. This one spins up the candy in a mini centrifuge before launching it across the room. You can see it in action, with an explanation of how it works, in the video. Continue reading for instructions on building and programming your own.

https://youtu.be/xyTFBYTtXII

For this model I decided to bring the mini chocolates up to speed in a spinning armature, which acts much like a flywheel to store kinetic energy. Once it reaches top speed, an arm is raised under the armature to trigger the launch of the candy from the tray it is sitting in. Continue reading →

Chocolate Egg Pooping Bunny

Jason

For Easter this year, Kristal had the brilliant idea to build a bunny rabbit that could hop around and poop chocolate eggs. Who was I to argue? You can see it in action and learn how it all works in the video, or read more about it below.

https://youtu.be/E0Qkg30je28

We decided to build it using the LEGO BOOST, which worked out quite well. I’m actually quite liking the BOOST for some models. I really like the fact that it is more compatible with the standard LEGO system, with studs all over the components. It makes it much easier to build into brick built models than the Mindstorms kit.

Each of the integrated motors of the move hub controls one leg, which simply rotate to make the bunny hop forward.

The external motor is mounting inside the front of the bunny to drive the pooping mechanism. Up to 4 eggs can be loaded into a gravity feed system in the back of the bunny. The external motor can be activated to drive a shuttle at the bottom of the feed system to push the bottom-most egg out the back. When the shuttle retracts the rest of the eggs fall down to replace it. At the same time, the shuttle also pushes the tail, which hangs freely from a hinge, so that the tail gives a cute little flick every time the rabbit poops. Continue reading →

Candy Catapult Instructions

Jason

Last week I posted a video demonstrating a fun model I designed using the LEGO BOOST that catapults small candies across the room. Below you will find the instructions and program information for building your own copy of it. All the parts you need to build this robot come in the BOOST Creative Toolkit set 17101. I give a thorough explanation of how the machine works in the original video I posted, so it is probably worth watching if you are planning to build it.

Cinnamon Heart Candy Catapult

I’m using cinnamon hearts for the payload, but the machine can probably be adjusted to accommodate a variety of small candies. As with most LEGO robots, things don’t always work perfectly, so you may need to tweak some things for optimal performance.

The most common problems I’ve encountered are the hopper getting jammed and sometimes getting 2 candies loaded into the catapult at once. I guess the second one isn’t really a ‘problem’. I mean, who complains when they get two candies for the price of one! For the hopper jamming up, I’ve found that it becomes more of a problem when there are more candies in the hopper. I’ve found best results when the hopper is less than half full. Continue reading →

Cinnamon Heart Candy Machine

Jason

I’ve been meaning to build something with the LEGO BOOST kit ever since it was released last year. I was finally inspired to build a machine that catapults cinnamon heart candies at me while I lazily sit on the couch. Had a lot of fun building this, and testing it!

I will be posting building instructions and more information in the coming weeks, but for now you can see it in action, and how it all works, in the video below.

https://youtu.be/NAly8XE4WGM