Tunnel Boring Machine Instructions Update

They are coming!

I have spent the last couple of months writing the first version of the Tunnel Boring Machine instructions. If you are new to the TBM, check out this block post and video. Writing the instructions has been, and is an ongoing, interesting process. I have broken down the job of writing the instructions into four steps:

Step 1: Digitising the TBM

The first step was to digitise the design in Studio. I wanted to do this without disassembling the TBM as much as possible, because I wasn’t sure if I could put it back together. Digitising was surprisingly easy. There are three main components of the TBM: The cutter head and conveyor belt, the motor unit, and the side-dumping truck. Separating the TBM into its two main components was easy to do because of how the TBM is designed to work.

Once apart, each component was easily digitised by simply looking at it closely. The great thing about LEGO® Technic(TM) is that it has a lot of holes as compared to LEGO® System. This meant I could see almost every part, even in this complicated build. Another feature that helped me was the dimensions of the build: the TBM is long and skinny. Therefore, there were not many areas of the model where pieces deep in inside were buried under many layers beams and pins.

Step 2: Creating the steps

Once built digitally, the most difficult part began – determining the steps. I completed this part of the process by disassembling the digital model in Studio step by step as I thought was possible by a builder. It was during this step I also made some small adjustments to the model – but I wanted to stay true to its original form. Therefore, the only adjustments I made involved the placement of the 3L blue pins and 2L black pins. While creating the steps, I was also creating sub-models within the build.

I ran into a number of occasions where it was difficult to determine what was the best set of steps to complete the build. In large models, you need to think many steps in advance to ensure that the model is buildable and that the model is sturdy while being built.

Step 3: Edit the instructions

Next it was time to create the pages for the instructions. During this part of the process I was continually trying to ensure that the builder would have clear and concise instructions to work from. In total there are 943 steps over 397 pages in the first draft of the TBM instructions. I hoping to reduce this number as part of the review process.

Testing the instructions

The final part of the process is to test the instructions, and this is the part I am currently doing. I have a first draft of the instructions which I am using to disassemble the TBM while reading them in reverse order. While disassembling, I am also taking notes of any improvements that can be made to the instructions to improve the builder’s experience.

After disassembling, I will make take my notes and edit the instructions to create what will hopefully be the distributed instructions. However, it will undergo one final build from scratch to ensure that they provide a good experience and that the TBM can be rebuilt!

So when?

I believe I can get them released in the next 2 months, so stay tuned! In the meantime, here is a video summarising this entire post: