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2016 LEGO sets – German toy fair report

January and February are always very exciting months for LEGO fans as this is the time new LEGO sets and themes get revealed at the toy fairs. The first toy fair takes place in London towards the end of January. While most of the new LEGO sets are displayed at the event, pictures are not allowed to be taken. Still, LEGO fans at least get an idea about what’s coming. A few days later the German toy fair opens, and at this event pictures and videos are fair game. Later in February at the New York toy fair the same sets are on display, and sometimes even more new LEGO sets and exclusives are revealed as well. Today we will talk about the German toy fair. 🙂

2016 German Toy Fair

As there are a tremendous number of images and videos that have been taken at the Nuremberg toy fair in Germany by many different people, I’m just going to summarize for you what’s coming, and include a few pictures from PromoBrick’s Facebook page (you can see a full collection of excellent photos in their album). I’m also including video footage from the event of some of the most exciting sets by Zusammengebaut and the BrickShow. You can see them all in the video player below.

2016 LEGO TECHNIC SETS: We will start with LEGO Technic, because the most impressive set at this year’s toy fairs has been the #42055 LEGO Technic Bucket Wheel Excavator. The set is enormous, motorized, and very impressive (see video above on how it works). The #42054 LEGO Technic Claas Xerion 5000 Tractor, and the #42053 LEGO Technic Volvo EW 160E were also on display.

2016 German Toy Fair LEGO Technic - Photo by PromoBricks

2016 LEGO NINJAGO SETS: It is amazing that LEGO has been able to churn out such infinitely creative and excellent LEGO Ninjago sets five years in a row. And the upcoming wave is insanely good with a lot of the old characters and vehicles back with upgraded designs. The #70588 LEGO Ninjago Titanium Ninja Tumbler is one of my favorites, and there is also the #70589 LEGO Ninjago Cole’s Rock Roader, the #70591 LEGO Ninjago Kryptarium Breakout, the #70592 LEGO Ninjago Salvage M.E.C., the #70593 LEGO Ninjago Lloyd’s Green NRG Dragon, the #70594 LEGO Ninjago Lighthouse Siege, and a super-duper updated version of the Ultrasonic Raider in the #70595 LEGO Ninjago Stealth Raider. LEGO really outdid themselves with both waves of LEGO Ninjago sets this year!

2016 German Toy Fair LEGO Ninjago - Photo by PromoBricks

2016 LEGO NEXO KNIGHTS SETS: LEGO Nexo Knights is getting its second wave this summer with more vehicles shaped like medieval weapons and evil demons. LEGO Nexo Knights is very fun. If you haven’t gotten any of the currently available sets yet, I highly recommend that you check them out under the LEGO Nexo Knight section of the Online LEGO Shop. They all have surprising play-features, splitting functions, and fun details, plus they contain many new LEGO elements, weapons and accessories.

2016 German Toy Fair LEGO Nexo Knights - Photo by PromoBricks

2016 LEGO BIONICLE SETS: The recently released LEGO BIONICLE sets were on display (see the LEGO BIONICLE section of the Online LEGO Shop), along with some new ones coming later this year. It’s nice to see that they are quite substantial (I didn’t so much like the skeleton-ish looking skull warriors, and much prefer the bulkier figures). Also, the color combinations continue to be excellent.

2016 German Toy Fair LEGO Bionicle - Photo by PromoBricks

2016 LEGO STAR WARS SETS: The upcoming LEGO Star Wars sets include the #75143 LEGO Star Wars A-Wing Starfighter, the #75144 LEGO Star Wars Snowspeeder, the #75145 LEGO Star Wars Eclipse Fighter, the #75147 LEGO Star Wars Star Scavenger, the #75148 LEGO Star Wars Encounter on Jakku, the #75149 LEGO Star Wars Resistance X-wing Figther, the #75150 LEGO Star Wars Darth Vader’s TIE Advanced and A-wing, the #75151 LEGO Star Wars Clone Turbo Tank, and the #75157 LEGO Star Wars Captain Rex’s AT-TE Walker. No pictures or video is available on them.

2016 LEGO FRIENDS SETS: Our friends are going to the amusement park this year! The #41127 LEGO Friends Amusement Park Arcade, the #41128 LEGO Friends Amusement Park Space Ride, the #41129 LEGO Friends Amusement Park Hot Dog Stand, and the #41130 LEGO Friends Amusement Park Rollercoaster are all coming out this summer. It is a very interesting assortment, which – with some color modifications – could be added to any LEGO City setting. There are a couple horse riding related sets as well; the #41125 LEGO Friends Horse Trailer and the #41126 LEGO Friends Horse Riding Club.

2016 German Toy Fair LEGO Friends - Photo by PromoBricks

:arrow : 2016 LEGO ELVES SETS: LEGO Elves continues with some lovely sets featuring dragons. One particularly interesting set is the #41180 LEGO Elves Ragana’s Magic Shadow Castle – the first time LEGO Elves uses such dark colors. Others upcoming sets include the #41177 LEGO Elves Precious Crystal Mine, the #41178 LEGO Elves Dragon Sanctuary, and the #41179 LEGO Elves Queen Dragon’s Rescue. If you don’t have any LEGO Elves sets yet, I recommend you check them out under the LEGO Elves section of the Online LEGO Shop. They are magical.

2016 German Toy Fair LEGO Elves - Photo by PromoBricks

2016 LEGO JUNORS SETS: This is the first time we get LEGO Friends themed LEGO Juniors, sets; #10726 LEGO Juniors Stephanie’s Horse Carriage, #10727 LEGO Juniors Emma’s Ice Cream Truck, and #10728 LEGO Juniors Mia’s Clinic. And there is also the #10724 LEGO Juniors Batman and Superman vs. Lex, with great colors, fun details, and new printed elements.

2016 German Toy Fair LEGO Juniors - Photo by PromoBricks

2016 LEGO MIXELS SETS: We have seen Series 7 and Series 8 of LEGO Mixels already, but this is the first time we have a chance to check out Series 9. LEGO Mixels continues to be fun little sets with cute characters and excellent parts selection.

2016 German Toy Fair LEGO Mixels - Photo by PromoBricks

2016 LEGO CITY SETS: The main sub-theme for LEGO City is going to be based around volcano exploration. The vehicles are somewhat similar to the LEGO City Arctic sets – but instead of orange, the main color here is lime-green. The vehicles do look good, but unfortunately there is no research base, and the volcano is very-very small. LEGO City will also have a number of airport based sets. But the set that is the most interesting is the #60134 LEGO City Fun at the Park, with a number of new minifigure prints, a brand new wheelchair, and the very first LEGO minifig baby! 😀

2016 German Toy Fair LEGO City Volcano - Photo by PromoBricks 2016 German Toy Fair LEGO City - Photo by PromoBricks

2016 LEGO CREATOR SETS: LEGO Creator continues to be one of my most favorite themes. There are two really excellent sets coming later this year, the #31051 LEGO Creator Cape Lighthouse, and the #31052 LEGO Vacation Getaways with a fully decked out motorhome.

2016 German Toy Fair LEGO Creator - Photo by PromoBricks

2016 LEGO MINECRAFT SETS: LEGO Minecraft continues with six new sets coming later this year: #21123 LEGO Minecraft The Iron Golem, #21124 LEGO Minecraft The End Portal, #21125 LEGO Minecraft The Jungle Tree House, #21126 LEGO Minecraft The Wither, #21127 LEGO Minecraft The Fortress, and #21128 LEGO Minecraft The Village. Even if you are not a Minecraft fan, the LEGO Minecraft sets are excellent sources of basic LEGO bricks in beautiful colors. You can check out the current selection under the LEGO Minecraft section of the Online LEGO Shop.

2016 German Toy Fair LEGO Minecraft - Photo by PromoBricks

2016 LEGO ARCHITECTURE SETS: LEGO Architecture is getting two substantially large sets this year, the #21029 LEGO Architecture Buckingham Palace, and the #21030 LEGO Architecture United States Capitol Building. Also, if you haven’t seen them already, check out the recently released LEGO Architecture skyline series under the LEGO Architecture section of the Online LEGO Shop. They are very nice.

2016 German Toy Fair LEGO Arhictecture - Photo by Promobricks

2016 LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES SETS: Super Heroes is having a very strong year with some great sets (see the LEGO Marvel Super Heroes section of the Online LEGO Shop). The #76057 LEGO Super Heroes Web-Warrior’s Bridge Duel is already considered by some LEGO fans as one of the best LEGO Super Heroes sets ever released. The set only includes half a bridge, but it appears that by getting two, you could easily make a full suspension bridge. The #76058 LEGO Super Heroes Doc Ock’s Tentacle Trap, the #76059 LEGO Super Heroes Ghost Rider Team Up, and the LEGO Super Heroes Mighty Micros series are also sets to look forward to.

2016 German Toy Fair LEGO Marvel - Photo by PromoBrick

2016 LEGO DC SUPER HEROES SETS: We will get LEGO Super Heroes Mighty Micros sets in this series also, plus the #76054 LEGO Super Heroes Harvest of Fear, and #76055 LEGO Super Heroes Croc’s Sewer Smash. Also, we can’t forget about the #76052 LEGO Super Heroes Batman Classic TV Series – Batcave, which will be released in March.

2016 German Toy Fair LEGO DC - Photo by PromoBrick

That’s a huge list of sets for this summer, isn’t it? And we haven’t even seen them all! What do you think? How do you like the 2016 LEGO sets revealed so far? Which ones are you looking forward to the most? Feel free to share your thoughts and discuss in the comment section below! 😉

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Idea for LEGO Technic planetary wheel hub

(Written by Duncan Bramley)

Having played extensively with LEGO Technic as a youth (I still have the original #853 LEGO Technic Expert Builder Car Chassis set from 1977), I now find myself playing with LEGO Technic with my son. I am a vehicle design engineer by trade, and this – combined with the time spent playing with LEGO Technic – resulted in an idea for a new LEGO Technic compatible part. After this idea had knocked around in my mind for some time and refused to go away, I decided to design in properly using 3D CAD and present it to the LEGO Group to see what they thought…

LEGO Technic Planetary Hub

My ultimate aim is to add a set of parts to LEGO Technic that allow realistic functional models that work and behave in an authentic way. I love building things in LEGO Technic with my son that demonstrate real life engineering principles. This way he can learn through play and fun. The proposed LEGO Technic elements produce a planetary hub that is close in design to real world parts. This is why I even included rolling element bearings. Please watch the video below for a demonstration.

I hope the video gave you a good idea on how these new parts would work, and their potential. If you would like more technical details, here are some of the key features of these new LEGO Technic components:

  • Planetary gear train built into a standard 56×34 rim – the gear train provides a 3:1 speed reduction and a corresponding 1:3 increase in torque. The output torque is generated at the internal gear and transmitted directly to the rim and from there to the tire or track, therefore it does not pass through any axles.
  • Integrated 14 tooth track drive sprocket – increases potential applications, the rim flanges provide lateral support on the underside of the track segment plates. The sprocket is hidden when a tire is fitted.
  • 4-point universal mount – this is designed to accommodate: rigid axle, rigid axle with steering, suspension or suspension with steering set-ups, all utilizing standard components. The pivot point is positioned to allow the use of either a one part universal joint or a 2-part Cardan joint.
  • Rolling element bearings – provide authenticity, tight rim location with little free play and also give low rolling resistance.

I sent the above video to the LEGO Group to consider producing these new elements, but so far have had no success in convincing them. Unfortunately the project cannot be submitted through LEGO Ideas, because new part designs are specifically excluded. So I thought to reach out to the LEGO fan community for help. I’m thinking that if I can get at least 10,000 views on this video (which is the threshold for votes on LEGO Ideas for LEGO to review the project), LEGO would likely take it more seriously.

What do you think? Do you believe these new LEGO Technic parts would be a good idea? If so, please help by sharing my video with your friends through social-media, forums, blogs, and whatever other ways you can think of. Also, if you have any questions, comments, constructive criticism about the project, feel free to share in the comment section below. I will stop by to respond to them. And thank you for your support! 🙂

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