Customized 7-Segment Display Integrates Servo Motors with LEGO Pieces
Boot up, pal! Looking for a seven-segment display for ya project? Why not take it to the next level by building a badass, electromechanical number machine from Lego? That's exactly what [upir] did, and let me tell ya, the results are jaw-dropping.
This bad boy relies on Lego Technic parts, where numbers are displayed through the clever use of small black axles thrusting through a large yellow faceplate. High contrast for the win! The seven segments, each made of seven axles for extra strength, move together as one unit, thanks to a gear rack mechanism that can extend or retract the axles for a classic seven-segment display.
Now, before ya start thinking that everything in this build is Lego, you gotta know that the motors that drive the segments back and forth are third-party components. They're Geekservo motors, these Lego-ready servos designed for external electronics control. These babies are connected to an eight-channel servo driver board that controls each segment individually. Next level stuff, ya dig?
The future, according to [upir], lies in driving this beautiful beast with an Arduino Uno. For now, though, they're keeping it old-school, with no microcontroller squeezing that mechanical muscle. For you tech-savvy Lego builders out there, the design files are available on GitHub, ready for your perusal.
We've showcased builds like this before, 'cause honestly? Lego's the bomb for creating just about anything. Peep the video below for a closer look.
This Lego-based number machine, with its geared seven-segment display, showcases the merging of electronics and gadgets, adding a modern twist to traditional technology. For those keen on data-and-cloud-computing integration, this project can be expanded by connecting it to an Arduino Uno, paving the way for future advancements in the realm of electromechanics.
