Vol.30

Otona no Kagaku (Science for Adults) Magazine Vol.30

Modified A4/100 pages/On sale January 14, 2011
●Supplement: Theo Jansen's Mini Strandbeest

Supplement Magazine Supplementary explanations / Download

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Download supplement assembly and operation instruction leaflet [PDF: 4.0 MB]

Supplement Troubleshooting

[Theo Jansen's Mini Strandbeest]

The wind turbine is hard to turn.

Open up a little more space between the wind turbine and the small tube, and adjust until the wind turbine turns easily.

The crankshaft gets hard to turn once per revolution.

Check the order of the single-action rods. Be particularly careful not to mix up the order of the large single-action rods!

I tried the above, but it still doesn't work right.

Separate the two sets of six leg assemblies from each other, and search for the cause while removing the single-action rods one by one, starting with the set of six legs that were not moving properly.

The Mini Strandbeest moves somewhat awkwardly.

Check the movement of the each of the two sets of six leg assemblies.
If the two sets of leg assemblies are positioned to move in the same way, rotate the joint on one of the six leg assemblies by 180° and then reconnect the two assemblies.
All of the six legs on one assembly are supposed to move in different directions.

One of the cogwheels is making a lot of noise when they rotate.

Check the fit of the cogwheel shaft.
The shaft should click into place with a "Click!" If the shaft is too loose, try reinserting it. The divider line on the end of the cogwheel shaft should be positioned vertically.

One of the blades has become detached.

The adhesiveness of the double-sided tape may have decreased. Try to reinforce it with an instant adhesive or other material.

The rotating shaft is hard to turn.

Remove the wind turbine and try to experiment with the shaft to get it to work.

The rubber band broke.

Replace it with a regular, commercially available rubber band.

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