LEGO® Mindstorms NXT Forklift Truck

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I've been working on building my contribution to the May 2012, NXTLog Competition. Part of my project needs a method to transport models of the large open top pallet type bins used to transport vegetables, such as potatoes, cabbages and pumpkins. I decided on a 'Line Following Forklift Truck' to do the job.

My LEGO® Mindstorms NXT Forklift Truck ready for Work!

The LEGO® Mindstorms NXT Forklift Truck shown above is compact, and quick and easy to build. You will need quite a number of extra LEGO® Technic Parts, in order to build it. At the end of the On-line Forklift Instructions is the complete parts list. I suggest you head to BrickLink to purchase the extra parts

Left Side view of the LEGO® Mindstorms NXT Forklift Truck

The Mindstorms NXT Forklift Truck uses two NXT Motors to dive the Left and right front wheels. The wheels at  the  rear show in red are actually Rotacaster® Omni-wheels. With the Rotacaster® Omni-wheels fitted, the Forklift has a very small turning circle. In fact it can turn in it's own length. 

Right Side view of the LEGO® Mindstorms NXT Forklift Truck

The third NXT Motor drives the 2x Black Technic, Liftarms (32348) Thick, which raise and lower the Forklift's Yellow Forks shown at the front. At the end of the 2x Black Technic, Liftarms is the Latching Mechanism that grips hold of the Vegetable Bin, stopping it sliding off the forks during transportation.

LEGO Mindstorms NXT Forklift's Container Latching Mechanism

Depending on your container design, You may not need to use the Latching Mechanism on the end of the Fork Lifting Arms. If you intend to use a standard pallet as your design, the Latching Mechanism will be a hindrance.

Rear, Top and Bottom views of the Forklift Truck

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Tags: Building Instructions, cad, containor, follow, Following, fork, Forklift, Lego, lift, Line, lxf, Mindstorms, NXT, Omni, omniwheel, Rotacaster, Rotacasters, Truck, wheel, wheels