Answers.Body: <p>It depends a lot how you distinguish <em>useful</em> from proof of concept.</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li><p>I think this clock could be useful (or at least be fun): <a href="http://tiltedtwister.com/" rel="noreferrer">http://tiltedtwister.com/</a>. The website even provides building instructions. However it will be noisy, expensive and take a lot of time (and fun) to build, which will make it less useful for a lot of people.</p></li>
  <li><p>There's a super computer rack for 64 Raspberry Pis built from lego: <a href="http://www.southampton.ac.uk/~sjc/raspberrypi" rel="noreferrer">http://www.southampton.ac.uk/~sjc/raspberrypi</a></p></li>
  <li><p>I'm using only 4 bricks as additional feets for my keyboard, everyday at work. So this is probably the most useful thing I can think of. Things do not have to be rocket science to be useful. <img src="https://i.sstatic.net/AoesG.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></p></li>
  </ul>
  
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Answers.Text: +1! Had to catch my armchair tightly to not to fall down laughing! :] Your _four-brick-keyboard-supporter_ certainly deserves Nobel Price or at least ten +1!
Answers.UserDisplayName: trejder
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Answers.UserDisplayName: BetaRide
Answers.Body: <p>Here are some examples that caught my attention in the last years:</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li>Cambridge scientists are using LEGO Mindstorms in their lab <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/lego-mindstorms-bone-making-robots/21844/" rel="nofollow">instead of a professional robot</a>, saving them large amounts of money.</li>
  <li>The Kno tablet development team is using <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/02/lego-bot-built-to-test-knos-tablet-textbook-human-overlords-wa/" rel="nofollow">a LEGO rig to perform automated stress tests</a> on their devices.</li>
  <li>University of Southhampton is using LEGO bricks as <a href="http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/09/university-builds-cheap-supercomputer-with-raspberry-pi-and-legos/" rel="nofollow">the structural frame for a cheaper supercomputer</a> (warning: they use the word <em>legos</em>).  </li>
  <li>Building custom encasing for electronics like this monster <a href="http://www.totalgeekdom.com/?p=572" rel="nofollow">three-motherboard PC</a>.</li>
  <li>For automatic milling and sculpting, there are also plenty of examples of LEGO CNC machines. They can be used to prototype parts, make molds, etc. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX1cO2XhMrg" rel="nofollow">Here's one</a>.</li>
  <li>A loom machine to produce usable weaved cloths&nbsp;— <a href="http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=521691" rel="nofollow">pictures</a>, <a href="http://youtu.be/IPIJsdvDjsc" rel="nofollow">video</a>.</li>
  <li>Pheromone Labs is using LEGO Mindstorms 2.0 to perform automated tests of a tablet app&nbsp;— <a href="http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/09/lego-robot-stress-testing/" rel="nofollow">link</a>, <a href="http://vimeo.com/28363975" rel="nofollow">video</a>.</li>
  <li>Low-cost nanoscope at UCL (<a href="http://www.kurzweilai.net/how-to-build-a-low-cost-afm-nanoscope-out-of-lego-arduino-board" rel="nofollow">news</a>, <a href="http://www.london-nano.com/news-and-events/lego2nano-summer-school" rel="nofollow">main page</a>)</li>
  <li>Handling insect specimens (<a href="http://news.sciencemag.org/plants-animals/2015/02/lego-contraption-allows-scientists-safely-handle-insects" rel="nofollow">link</a>)</li>
  <li>UV-Vis spectrometer (<a href="https://www.raspberrypi.org/lego-spectrometers/" rel="nofollow">Link</a>)</li>
  <li>Braille Printer (<a href="http://www.popsci.com/braille-printer-born-lego" rel="nofollow">Link</a>)</li>
  </ol>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2013-01-02T05:14:07.573Z
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Answers.LastEditDate: 2015-04-25T15:45:58.053Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: pcantin
Answers.Body: <p>Lego Antikythera Mechanism can be seen at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLPVCJjTNgk">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLPVCJjTNgk</a></p>
  
  <p>The Antikythera Mechanism: <a href="http://bit.ly/fm4oFK">http://bit.ly/fm4oFK</a> is the oldest known scientific computer, built in Greece at around 100 BCE. Lost for 2000 years, it was recovered from a shipwreck in 1901. But not until a century later was its purpose understood: an astronomical clock that determines the positions of celestial bodies with extraordinary precision.   In 2010, we built a fully-functional replica out of Lego.   </p>
  
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Answers.CreationDate: 2013-01-11T06:41:59.127Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2013-01-11T06:41:59.127Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: grotesca
Answers.Body: <p><strong>I once built an NXT robot that opened and closed a set of blinds.</strong></p>
  
  <p>The blinds had a rod that you could spin to open and close them, and the rod had a hole at the end, which made it pretty easy to hook up to a mindstorms motor.</p>
  
  <p>I made two different versions.  One version was a "clapper" - with a microphone sensor, and one was a smarter version, that used a light sensor.  The light sensor was positioned on the outside of the blinds.  When the sun came up, it would open the blinds, and when the sun went down, it would close them.</p>
  
  <p>I could have combined them together - in fact, I was planning to do that - but then I decided to use the NXT unit for some other projects instead.</p>
  
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Answers.LastActivityDate: 2013-04-25T23:20:45.937Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: pbr
Answers.Body: <p>It depends how you define machine. </p>
  
  <p>I've used a static rig as a phone holder on a desk. 
  I've built small tools for pushing Lego pins out when constructing Lego models. I've built innumerable machines for demonstrating principles of physics, engineering and structure.</p>
  
  <p>If someone has dominoes as a hobby, then there is a Lego domino setting machine - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&amp;v=de4xdOVVROQ" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&amp;v=de4xdOVVROQ</a>.</p>
  
  <p>I've seen an NXT being used to tidy Lego bricks - although that may have been more proof of concept as it could only cope with bricks below a certain size, it would use a rotor to sweep the bricks (And anything else) into a rear hopper.</p>
  
  <p>I've also seen brick sorters - for those who like to color sort their Lego (I used to do this) these can be handy.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2013-01-05T21:39:22.490Z
Answers.Text: Well this all sounds like toy examples. The machines for demonstrating principles of physics, engineering and structure come closest. There should be online video tutorials for learning with Lego :-)
Answers.UserDisplayName: Jakob
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Answers.CreationDate: 2013-01-08T10:59:50.933Z
Answers.Text: I've also build a small stand to hold my phone securely in the dashboard of my car when I'm using it as navigation aid, so I wouldn't underestimate the adaptability of LEGO for similar jobs. At the other end of the range, there's even been a [full desk](http://www.ericharshbarger.org/lego/desk.html) - not a machine, but fully functional.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Joubarc
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Answers.CreationDate: 2013-01-08T11:04:38.377Z
Answers.Text: I've seen pinball machines too. The thing is - if such things are somebodies passion - then stuff that assists in them could arguably be "Useful machines".
Answers.UserDisplayName: Danny Staple
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Answers.UserDisplayName: Danny Staple
Body: <p>I am looking for examples of useful machines built with LEGO (probably Technics, NXT etc.). There are many fun project examples and proofs of concept, such as a <a href="https://bricks.stackexchange.com/questions/263/what-is-this-challenge-to-solve-the-rubik-cube-as-quickly-as-possible-using-lego">Rubik cube solver</a> and a <a href="http://www.legoturingmachine.org/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Turing machine</a>.</p>
  
  <p>Do you know any examples of LEGO machines that simplify some actual task or where should I look for examples?</p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2013-01-08T17:37:27.557Z
Comments.Text: There are two brilliant brick sorters built by akiyuky, one for [standard bricks](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lZ9rSZwDzE&list=PLDFC65EDBF1D05D23&index=1), and another for [Technic axles](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM9qGZCc4DY&list=PLDFC65EDBF1D05D23&index=12).
Comments.UserDisplayName: Ambo100
Tags: <robotic>
Title: Useful machines built with LEGO
UserDisplayName: Jakob
ThreadText: # Useful machines built with LEGO
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2013-01-01)
  
  I am looking for examples of useful machines built with LEGO (probably Technics, NXT etc.). There are many fun project examples and proofs of concept, such as a [Rubik cube solver](https://bricks.stackexchange.com/questions/263/what-is-this-challenge-to-solve-the-rubik-cube-as-quickly-as-possible-using-lego) and a [Turing machine](http://www.legoturingmachine.org/).
  
  Do you know any examples of LEGO machines that simplify some actual task or where should I look for examples?
  
  **Tags:** robotic
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: There are two brilliant brick sorters built by akiyuky, one for [standard bricks](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lZ9rSZwDzE&list=PLDFC65EDBF1D05D23&index=1), and another for [Technic axles](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM9qGZCc4DY&list=PLDFC65EDBF1D05D23&index=12).  
  
  ---
  
  ## 5 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_4 on 2013-01-02. Score: 27
  
  Here are some examples that caught my attention in the last years:
  
  1. Cambridge scientists are using LEGO Mindstorms in their lab [instead of a professional robot](http://www.gizmag.com/lego-mindstorms-bone-making-robots/21844/), saving them large amounts of money.
  2. The Kno tablet development team is using [a LEGO rig to perform automated stress tests](http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/02/lego-bot-built-to-test-knos-tablet-textbook-human-overlords-wa/) on their devices.
  3. University of Southhampton is using LEGO bricks as [the structural frame for a cheaper supercomputer](http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/09/university-builds-cheap-supercomputer-with-raspberry-pi-and-legos/) (warning: they use the word *legos*).
  4. Building custom encasing for electronics like this monster [three-motherboard PC](http://www.totalgeekdom.com/?p=572).
  5. For automatic milling and sculpting, there are also plenty of examples of LEGO CNC machines. They can be used to prototype parts, make molds, etc. [Here's one](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX1cO2XhMrg).
  6. A loom machine to produce usable weaved cloths — [pictures](http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=521691), [video](http://youtu.be/IPIJsdvDjsc).
  7. Pheromone Labs is using LEGO Mindstorms 2.0 to perform automated tests of a tablet app — [link](http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/09/lego-robot-stress-testing/), [video](http://vimeo.com/28363975).
  8. Low-cost nanoscope at UCL ([news](http://www.kurzweilai.net/how-to-build-a-low-cost-afm-nanoscope-out-of-lego-arduino-board), [main page](http://www.london-nano.com/news-and-events/lego2nano-summer-school))
  9. Handling insect specimens ([link](http://news.sciencemag.org/plants-animals/2015/02/lego-contraption-allows-scientists-safely-handle-insects))
  10. UV-Vis spectrometer ([Link](https://www.raspberrypi.org/lego-spectrometers/))
  11. Braille Printer ([Link](http://www.popsci.com/braille-printer-born-lego))
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_2 on 2013-01-07. Score: 10
  
  It depends a lot how you distinguish *useful* from proof of concept.
  
  * I think this clock could be useful (or at least be fun): <http://tiltedtwister.com/>. The website even provides building instructions. However it will be noisy, expensive and take a lot of time (and fun) to build, which will make it less useful for a lot of people.
  * There's a super computer rack for 64 Raspberry Pis built from lego: <http://www.southampton.ac.uk/~sjc/raspberrypi>
  * I'm using only 4 bricks as additional feets for my keyboard, everyday at work. So this is probably the most useful thing I can think of. Things do not have to be rocket science to be useful. ![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/AoesG.jpg)
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_3**: +1! Had to catch my armchair tightly to not to fall down laughing! :] Your _four-brick-keyboard-supporter_ certainly deserves Nobel Price or at least ten +1!  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_5 on 2013-01-11. Score: 6
  
  Lego Antikythera Mechanism can be seen at <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLPVCJjTNgk>
  
  The Antikythera Mechanism: <http://bit.ly/fm4oFK> is the oldest known scientific computer, built in Greece at around 100 BCE. Lost for 2000 years, it was recovered from a shipwreck in 1901. But not until a century later was its purpose understood: an astronomical clock that determines the positions of celestial bodies with extraordinary precision.   In 2010, we built a fully-functional replica out of Lego.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_6 on 2013-04-25. Score: 4
  
  **I once built an NXT robot that opened and closed a set of blinds.**
  
  The blinds had a rod that you could spin to open and close them, and the rod had a hole at the end, which made it pretty easy to hook up to a mindstorms motor.
  
  I made two different versions. One version was a "clapper" - with a microphone sensor, and one was a smarter version, that used a light sensor. The light sensor was positioned on the outside of the blinds. When the sun came up, it would open the blinds, and when the sun went down, it would close them.
  
  I could have combined them together - in fact, I was planning to do that - but then I decided to use the NXT unit for some other projects instead.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_7 on 2013-01-05. Score: 3
  
  It depends how you define machine.
  
  I've used a static rig as a phone holder on a desk.
  I've built small tools for pushing Lego pins out when constructing Lego models. I've built innumerable machines for demonstrating principles of physics, engineering and structure.
  
  If someone has dominoes as a hobby, then there is a Lego domino setting machine - <http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=de4xdOVVROQ>.
  
  I've seen an NXT being used to tidy Lego bricks - although that may have been more proof of concept as it could only cope with bricks below a certain size, it would use a rotor to sweep the bricks (And anything else) into a rear hopper.
  
  I've also seen brick sorters - for those who like to color sort their Lego (I used to do this) these can be handy.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_0**: Well this all sounds like toy examples. The machines for demonstrating principles of physics, engineering and structure come closest. There should be online video tutorials for learning with Lego :-)  
  > **username_8**: I've also build a small stand to hold my phone securely in the dashboard of my car when I'm using it as navigation aid, so I wouldn't underestimate the adaptability of LEGO for similar jobs. At the other end of the range, there's even been a [full desk](http://www.ericharshbarger.org/lego/desk.html) - not a machine, but fully functional.  
  > **username_7**: I've seen pinball machines too. The thing is - if such things are somebodies passion - then stuff that assists in them could arguably be "Useful machines".  
  
  ---
  
  