Rei Vilo's fischertechnik Corner
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    • Controllers >
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    • Exploring the Lego World >
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  • Models
    • Back to the 70's
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      • Pictures
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    • Power Saving White LED
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    • Celebrating 50 Years!
    • ft Convention 2013
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  • Sensors
    • Interfacing an Arduino to a Robo TX Controller >
      • Analog Interface
      • Digital Interface
      • I²C Interface
    • Standard Sensors >
      • Playing With Accelerometers
      • Proximity Sensor
      • Pressure Sensor
    • Advanced Sensors >
      • Industrial Colour Reader
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    • smartDevices >
      • smartColours
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  • RoboPro
    • Value Operations >
      • Min and Max Functions
      • Signal Management With Median
      • Modulo Function
      • Map Function
    • Standard Modules >
      • Software Managed Compressor
      • Self-Calibrated Colour-Reader
      • Standard Conveyor Belt Routine
      • Management Panel
      • Encoder-Motor Position Management
    • Variable Types >
      • CSV List Management
      • Queue Function
    • Program Structures >
      • Parallel Processing
      • Multi-Tasking End Management Procedure
    • Tutorials >
      • Setting Bluetooth LAN with Multiple TX-Cs
      • Dealing with Very Large Models >
        • Getting a General View
        • Defining User's Functions
        • Elaborating the Modelisation
        • Defining the Processes
        • Setting the Messages
        • Going Further
        • References
      • Program Error 2 Message
  • I²C
    • How to Connect an I²C Device to the Robo TX?
    • How to Connect an I²C Device to the Robotics TXT?
    • How to Manage an I²C Device?
    • How to Use an I²C Driver?
    • List of I²C Drivers for Sensors >
      • I²C Real Time Clock DS1307
      • I²C LCD screen 4 lines of 20 characters LCD03
      • I²C Triple Axis Accelerometer ADXL345
      • I²C Red-Green-Blue LED BlinkM
      • I²C Two Axis Compass HMC6352
      • I²C Triple Axis Magnetometer HMC5843
      • I²C True Colour Sensor ADJD-S371
      • I²C Stepper Controller AMIS-30624
    • List of I²C Drivers for smartDevices >
      • I²C True Colours Smart Sensor smartColours
      • I²C RFID Smart Sensor smartRFID
      • I²C 4-Digit 7-Segment LED Display smartLED
      • I²C Screen With Touch and SD-Card smartControls
      • I²C Smart Sensor smartCamera
      • I²C Smart Sensor smartNewCamera
      • I²C Remote WiFi Interface smartWiFi​
      • I²C Remote Bluetooth Interface smartBLE​
      • I²C Remote Interface smartNode​
      • I²C New LCD Screen 4 x 20 characters smartLCD
      • I²C Inertial Measurement Unit smartIMU

Building

The fun can start now!

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System Differences

The Mindstorms bricks are taken from the Technic line, and can be used on 2 faces only. 
The standard fischertechnik element can be used in any of its 6 faces. It used to be light-gray, it is now black.
2-D vs. 6-D
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Unfortunately, ​the Mindstorms and Technic bricks and are not directly compatible with the standard bricks.

A similar restriction applies for the motors. There used to be an adapter for Technic motors on Mindstorms (reference 8528), but is has been discontinued.
​All elements are compatible across all the series. Computing elements can be used with the first elements introduced in 1965.

The only limitation applies for old motors running at 6 V, as the controller operates at 9 V.

​
Compatibility
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The set contains 601 elements of 101 kinds. Many of those elements are small and very small.

I've been surprise by the diversity of shapes and colours. For example, there are up to 6 different connectors to join two structural elements. No less than 36 elements are for decoration only, for the punk hair and for the insect carapace with stickers.
The set contains 310 elements of 93 kinds. Colours are limited to black, red and yellow (or gold as in the German flag) and some are green and silver. 

This more limited range of elements allows the builder to focus on the construction. Only 14 elements are dedicated to decoration, including two eyes and a plate for a sticker, but all of them can be used as standard elements. For example, the eyes are wheels. 

Electric Connectors

The connection between the controller and the peripherals uses proprietary cables. 

The connector looks like a telephone plug (RJ11) with 6 contacts, but the latch is not centred, making it incompatible.
The connection between the controller and the peripherals use standard cables with ∅ 4 mm plugs. 

A screw-driver is provided to prepare the cables.
Left, a proprietary connector
Right, a standard plug

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This option makes connection very easy and virtually fool-proof. The EV3 controller identifies the peripherals automatically.
This option requires more attention while connecting the devices, but allows to use any other device. ​
Connecting a temporary switch
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Connecting an encoder motor
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Connecting the encoder motor requires one cable with a proprietary plug, for motor power and fast counter.
Connecting the encoder motor requires 5 cables with standard ∅ 4 mm plugs, 2 for power and 3 for the fast counter.

Components

The main components are:
  • 1 EV3 controller
  • 2 large encoder motors
  • 1 medium encoder motor
  • 1 IR remote
  • 1 switch called touch sensor
  • 1 colour sensor
  • 1 IR sensor

​I'm surprised to see no lamps.
The main components are:
  • 1 Robotics TXT controller
  • 1 USB camera
  • 2 large encoder motors
  • 1 compact motor
  • 2 switches
  • 1 NTC
  • 1 phototransistor 
  • 2 white LEDs
  • 1 bulb lamp

Controller

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The controller features
  • 4 outputs A to D,
  • 4 inputs 1 to 4,
  • a USB connector (for a WiFi dongle),
  • a micro SD-card slot, 
  • a B&W LCD screen,
  • 6 keys and ​a status LED,
  • a speaker,
  • a Bluetooth radio.

​Plugging a WiFi dongle makes the EV3 controller really hard to integrate in the models.
The controller features
  • 8 outputs O1 to O8 that can be combined as 4 dual outputs for motors M1 to M4,
  • 8 universal inputs I1 to I8,
  • 4 fast counters C1 to C4 for motors outputs M1 to M4,
  • an IR receiver,
  • a USB connector (for the camera),
  • a micro SD-card slot,
  • a colour display with touch,
  • 1 button and a status LED,
  • a speaker,
  • a WiFi radio,
  • a Bluetooth radio. 

Building Instructions 

Left, the Autodesk 3D builder app
Right, the printed building instructions
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Except for the introductory model, the building instructions are either on PDF documents or on the 3D builder app (iOS and Android). Either solution requires a download.

I've been amazed by the the 3D builder app powered by Autodesk. It allows to move the model in any direction to spot on a specific point and provides animation for building.
The supplied manual provides the building instructions for all the 14 models.

Instructions are clear and well illustrated.

Result

The Lego model appears as less rigid than the fischertechnik one.  
The fischertechnik model feels sturdier and more solid than the Lego one. 

Conclusion

The proprietary cable eases connection to the Lego controller, at the expense of limiting expandability.

​I prefer the printed manual over the PDF document and the 3D app.

Connecting elements on any of the 6 faces contributes to a stronger rigidity of the fischertechnik models.

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