Those old enough to have encountered punch cards in their lifetime are probably glad to be rid of their extremely low data density and the propensity of tall stacks to tip over. But obsolete as they may be, they’re a great tool to show the basics of binary data storage: the bits are easily visible and can even be manipulated with simple tools. As an experiment to re-create those features in a more modern system, [Michael Kohn] made a punch card-like system based on LEGO bricks that stores machine code instructions for a 65C816 CPU, the 16-bit successor to the venerable 6502.
In childhood, many of us wondered — wouldn’t it be cool if our miniature toys had “real” functions? Say, that our toy cars actually were able to drive, or at least, that the headlights could light up. [James Brown] captures some of this childhood expectation of magic, recreating the 2×2 45°-sloped Lego bricks with computer screens and panels drawn on them by building a LEGO brick (thread, nitter) with an actual display inside of it.
LEGO and its Technic line is a great way to learn about all kinds of mechanical things, but it’s also just a whole lot of fun to play with. We suspect the latter reason is what got [Brick Technology] to pursue creating a trippy water vortex with the building toy.
The first design uses a transparent plastic sphere as a water vessel. Inside the sphere is placed a small turbine, turned from the outside via a magnetic coupling. This means the sphere can remain intact, with no holes required, nor complicated seals which can leak. It works well, and produces a vortex when the turbine is spun by a regular LEGO motor. A second attempt elects to rotate the entire sphere itself. Small LEGO wheels are then used to hold the sphere in place on the rapidly spinning turntable. The results are impressive, creating a large and relatively well-formed vortex.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
We are a professional review site that has advertisement and can receive compensation from the companies whose products we review. We use affiliate links in the post so if you use them to buy products through those links we can get compensation at no additional cost to you.OkDecline
81 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/03/23/brick-and-motor-table-saw-delivers-paper-cuts-on-demand/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/03/24/lego-sorting-vacuum-defeats-the-problem/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/03/29/lego-string-winder-hints-at-greater-possibilities/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/03/30/building-7-segment-displays-with-lego/
Tomi Engdahl says:
How To Use LEGO Bricks For Data Storage
https://hackaday.com/2022/06/06/how-to-use-lego-bricks-for-data-storage/
Those old enough to have encountered punch cards in their lifetime are probably glad to be rid of their extremely low data density and the propensity of tall stacks to tip over. But obsolete as they may be, they’re a great tool to show the basics of binary data storage: the bits are easily visible and can even be manipulated with simple tools. As an experiment to re-create those features in a more modern system, [Michael Kohn] made a punch card-like system based on LEGO bricks that stores machine code instructions for a 65C816 CPU, the 16-bit successor to the venerable 6502.
https://www.mikekohn.net/micro/lego_data_reader.php
Tomi Engdahl says:
Computer-Shaped LEGO Brick Brought To Life
https://hackaday.com/2022/06/08/computer-shaped-lego-brick-brought-to-life/
In childhood, many of us wondered — wouldn’t it be cool if our miniature toys had “real” functions? Say, that our toy cars actually were able to drive, or at least, that the headlights could light up. [James Brown] captures some of this childhood expectation of magic, recreating the 2×2 45°-sloped Lego bricks with computer screens and panels drawn on them by building a LEGO brick (thread, nitter) with an actual display inside of it.
Tomi Engdahl says:
James Brown’s LEGO Computer Brick Hides a Fully-Functional, Programmable OLED Display
https://www.hackster.io/news/james-brown-s-lego-computer-brick-hides-a-fully-functional-programmable-oled-display-bf686c392057
Created using homebrew injection molding into a 3D-printed form, these semi-functional LEGO computers look like magic.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/06/16/theres-a-lego-suspension-dyno-now/
Tomi Engdahl says:
How Brickit works
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=T4WAi5ykQyc&feature=youtu.be
Tomi Engdahl says:
Get the app for iOS or Android: https://download.brickit.app
Tomi Engdahl says:
Simple Hacks To Make LEGO Train Track Out Of Other Pieces
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/30/simple-hacks-to-make-lego-train-track-out-of-other-pieces/
Tomi Engdahl says:
LEGO Rig Makes Pretty Water Vortexes
https://hackaday.com/2022/09/01/lego-rig-makes-pretty-water-vortexes/
LEGO and its Technic line is a great way to learn about all kinds of mechanical things, but it’s also just a whole lot of fun to play with. We suspect the latter reason is what got [Brick Technology] to pursue creating a trippy water vortex with the building toy.
The first design uses a transparent plastic sphere as a water vessel. Inside the sphere is placed a small turbine, turned from the outside via a magnetic coupling. This means the sphere can remain intact, with no holes required, nor complicated seals which can leak. It works well, and produces a vortex when the turbine is spun by a regular LEGO motor. A second attempt elects to rotate the entire sphere itself. Small LEGO wheels are then used to hold the sphere in place on the rapidly spinning turntable. The results are impressive, creating a large and relatively well-formed vortex.
Can Lego create a Vortex in a Sphere?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjk0RMjQpcY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjk0RMjQpcY
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/10/22/lego-plays-electronic-drums/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/01/exploring-piston-engine-design-with-lego/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.hackster.io/news/pixel-may-be-the-world-s-first-lego-compatible-mechanical-keyboard-85dda2cc82a8
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/14/lego-race-car-simulator-is-like-a-mechanical-arcade-game/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/15/blender-builds-lego-models/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Building A LEGO Pneumatic Engine
https://hackaday.com/2022/11/17/building-a-lego-pneumatic-engine/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Lego Mindstorms Dot Matrix Printer (for iPad)
Dot matrix printer made with Lego Mindstorms (Robot Inventor) controlled by an iPad app.
https://hackaday.io/project/188414-lego-mindstorms-dot-matrix-printer-for-ipad
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/12/10/gaze-upon-the-swimming-mechanical-stingray-made-with-lego/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Life-Size LEGO Christmas Tree with 20,000 Pieces
Created by TNVLC
Free instructions: https://bit.ly/3W4u2mZ
Tomi Engdahl says:
Can Lego Play the Drums?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlaY8kSTO28
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/12/20/more-detail-on-that-fantastic-lego-oled-brick/
Tomi Engdahl says:
The illegal Sequential LEGO Gearbox Transmission Real Performance
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cZhJX4pK0A8
Tomi Engdahl says:
Destroying 28 Lego Mechanisms
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI0rDaEpTvI
Testing 28 different mechanisms and kinetic sculptures made out of Lego.
Chapters:
00:00 Mechanisms
01:06 Sponsor
02:12 More Mechanisms
06:33 Destruction in Slow Motion
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/12/27/esphome-powers-festive-lego-train-set/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/01/25/a-simple-air-suspension-demo-with-lego-technic/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/01/26/lego-guitar-is-really-an-ultrasonically-controlled-synth/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/02/09/domino-ring-machine-tips-tiles-in-a-never-ending-wave/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/03/18/doom-ported-to-a-single-lego-brick/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Working Artificial Horizon Built Into A Single LEGO Brick
https://hackaday.com/2023/03/20/working-artificial-horizon-built-into-a-single-lego-brick/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNJpRXlfKQE