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The LEGO Turning Machine • Masterpiece 3 127

This is a symmetrical process; you can convert torque into velocity and vice
versa:
■ To gear up means that we make our system increase velocity and
reduce torque, and ratio is usually written like 3:1.
■ To gear down means that we make our system reduce velocity and
increase torque, and ratio is usually written like 1:3.
In the Direction Control process, we don’t need a high velocity, but do
require some torque. So, I have geared down the system by placing a 40T after
an 8T, creating a ratio of 8:40 (simplified, that is 1:5).
For additional information on the topics of gears and gear ratios, we urge
you to check out to the Building Robots with LEGO MINDSTORMS (Syngress
Publishing, ISBN 1-928994-67-9) by Mario and Giulio Ferrari for detailed informa-
tion about placing gears and other mechanical solutions.

Direction Control II Step 0 Direction Control II Step 1

Direction Control II Step 2