LEGO Mindstorms and SPIKE Prime are great products with vast capabilities but are often so
complex that many people don't know how to use them. LEGO provides a walk-through of a few
projects to build which are cool but after building these many people get stuck on now what?
This book answers that question by showing the underlying principles required to build their
own ideas. This book is a hands-on tour of how machines work with LEGO-there's nothing like
building a machine with your own two hands to understand how it works. It includes aspects of
software engineering mechanical engineering and electrical engineering. As parts and
associated engineering concepts are presented they will be shown in their practical use with
graphical step-by-step assembly instructions. The concepts conveyed are mostly learned through
building examples with text explanation to reinforce the ideas being learned. Every
engineering concept has a building example to go with it in a quick build of less than 15
assembly steps. At the end of each chapter there's a project to tie the concepts of the chapter
together of a little more complexity involving 15 to 30 steps. These assembly steps are drawn
with a computer aided design program that looks like the diagrams that LEGO produces for its
products so readers will be familiar with the look of the assembly directions. What You'll
Learn Layout a Word Blocks or Python computer program from scratch See how LEGO building
elements are meant to be assembled Manipulate the power source of a rotating shaft from an
electric motor Use gears to alter the speed and torque of a power train Change the motion from
a rotating shaft to a desired action Basic mechanisms (turntable differential cam ratchet
etc.) to Use sensors (motion distance light color) to make interactive inventions Integrate
mechanical software and electrical subsystems in a project Who This Book Is For The knowledge
presumed in this book is basic familiarity in building with LEGO having past experience with
building a set of moderate complexity of more than a 100 pieces. Basic familiarity with
operating a personal computer is also assumed such as to install an app. Likely interested
readers are: LEGO fans looking for ways to build new and better inventions middle-school and
high-school age students who have an interest in science math and engineering adults who
like to learn how things work and tinker with inventions and educators who use the SPIKE Prime
set and are looking for new ideas for lesson plans.
