Monday, September 29, 2014

LEGO Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) MANGALYAAN

The Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) also known as  MANGALYAAN, is a space probe launched to Mars by
the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Launched on 5 November 2013 and reached Mars orbit on 24 September 2014. VERSION EN ESPAÑOL

MANGALYAAN


Like the real one, this LEGO model was built based on a cube. Spacecrafts are usually wrapped in a golden reflective film, to protect scientific instruments from temperature oscillations. This time the probe is presented "naked" to show some details.


Cubic structure
The cube is made of 6 4x4 plates, interconnected with "hydrant" bricks.

Inside the cube

Solar panels were modeled with 4x6 plates covered with blue "grills" to make the cells. The panels are interconnected with flexible links. In the original spacecraft solar panels and high gain antenna were stored folded inside the rocket.

Building solar panels
To build the probe around 140 steps were needed. The biggest visible features of MANGALYAAN are its 3 solar panels, high gain antenna and scientific instruments on the surface of the cube



Sunday, September 28, 2014

How to separate stuck Lego bricks? LEGO 630 brick separator tool

A lot of times happens that some stuck lego bricks are impossible to separate using only our hands. In this desperate situations is common to use tools like pliers or screwdrivers, leaving scars or some damage to the bricks. VERSION EN ESPAÑOL

LEGO 630 brick separator tool


Well, LEGO has a tool to make this task a bit easier. In this case is LEGO 630. Useful to solve problems like:

Plates stuck to a base


- Small low height plates stuck to a base. Using the tool like a lever, doesn't require too much effort to remove. If a lot of force is applied bricks can fly anywhere!

Bricks stuck together


- Two low height bricks strongly stuck together. This situation requires 2 steps:



First: Put the stuck bricks in a medium size base, levering towards the base with one hand and pushing the tool towards the bricks with the other hand.



Second: Use the thinnest part of the tool to finish separating bricks.

Wheel strongly attached to the axle. Use the cross shaped tip of the tool, holding the wheel with one hand and pushing the tip towards the middle of the axle

Separate wheels from axles & other technic bricks

This tool can be bought separately, but it's included in so many sets like LEGO Minecraft series