Tag Archives: LEGO

McLaren, 3D Printing and. . .LEGO

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From advanced manufacturing tech to a really complex model. . .

By Gary S. Vasilash

McLaren Automotive, builder of an array of composite-intensive supercars, recently announced that it is partnering with Divergent Technologies, which has developed an additive manufacturing system it calls the “Divergent Adaptive Production System” (DAPS) which allows the creation of lightweight chassis components that otherwise couldn’t be created with traditional manufacturing methods.

As Michael Leiters, CEO of McLaren, put it, “This technology will help us to further reduce weight in our complex structures, which will ultimately benefit the driving experience of our customers and support McLaren’s mission to push the boundaries of performance.”

One of the interesting things related to McLaren and Divergent is that the DAPS was developed to produce the Czinger 21C supercar (i.e., it is a 1250-hp hybrid–certainly not a Prius (yes, even though the current gen Prius is rather cool, you know what I mean)).

But clever tech is clever tech, so the use by McLaren is in keeping with its drive toward even more innovation in its vehicles.

This is the LEGO Technic McLaren P1—all 3,893 elements assembled. (Image: McLaren Automotive)

But what will probably draw more attention than the organic chassis components in a future car is the LEGO Technic McLaren P1.

Yes, a 3,893-piece LEGO set.

And it is rather technical, as the model includes a seven-speed gearbox, V8 piston engine, adjustable rear wing, dihedral doors, and a suspension (undoubtedly injection molded, not 3D printed).

Tobias Sühlmann Chief Design Officer, McLaren Automotive:

“It’s amazing to see so many of the elements from the original P1 brought to life by the LEGO team for the LEGO Technic McLaren P1. I hope this collaboration inspires the next generation of designers and engineers to push the boundaries of automotive innovation.”

I’m guessing that the DAPS will be more influential for next-gen designers—but then I’m not the chief design officer of a supercar company.

Incidentally, the McLaren P1 LEGO Technic model can be purchased starting August 1 here for an MSRP of $449.99.

Construction Equipment Concept

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From Volvo. . .and LEGO

By Gary S. Vasilash

When you think “construction equipment” the first thing that you don’t think of—and possibly not even the last thing—is LEGO.

We’re talking earth-moving gear here, not a cleverly constructed toy.

Yet according to Volvo Construction Equipment, its engineers and designers worked with those from LEGO Technic and developed the Volvo LX03.

Volvo LX03 concept wheel loader. Looks like something from the set of Dune. (Image: Volvo Construction Equipment)

The concept, a 5-ton wheel loader, is based on a toy, the 42081 LEGO Technic Concept Wheel Loader ZEUX. 

According to Head of Product for LEGO Technic, Niels Henrik Horsted, Volvo and LEGO have collaborated on several models that became LEGO models, “But this is the first time we are making a real machine based on a model and not the other way around – and that is what makes this a truly unique project.”

The LX03 is autonomous and electric, It uses the same driveline as the Volvo L25 electric. It has a run time of up to eight hours.

According to Volvo, it is programmable so it can perform heavy, repetitive or dangerous tasks without humans being on site.

While it isn’t commercially available, it is certainly conceivable that the LX03—or something very much like it—will be in the not-too-distant future.

And we don’t mean on the shelf at Target.

Lambo and LEGO

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A LEGO model that looks (almost) like the real thing

By Gary S. Vasilash

When you were a kid, perhaps you had a model—or more—of a particular vehicle that you hoped to have when you “grew up.”

And maybe you had a LEGO set that allowed you to make something that was a geometric analogue of that vehicle.

For many people, a Lamborghini may have been the desired vehicle.

And Automobili Lamborghini has been working with LEGO on the production of models.

The latest is a life-size replica of the Lamborghini Sián FKP 37.

(Image: Automobili Lamborghini)

Yes, as big as the real car.

To build it they used 154 different types of LEGO elements, including 20 molded for the project. (Which goes to show you that when the OEM and the supplier are working hand-in-hand, special things can happen.)

This was no idle process of putting blocks together and seeing how they worked.

There was a team of 15 people involved. They used 8,660 hours of development and construction.

The companies say that the model is “identical” in size to the real thing: 4,980 mm long, 2,101 mm wide and 1,133 mm high.

The model was painted in the Automobili Lamborghini paint shop.

LEGO offers a 1:8-scale edition of the Sián for those looking to put something on the shelf.