Thames & Kosmos SpringBots User manual

Franckh-Kosmos Verlags-GmbH & Co. KG, Pfizerstr. 5-7, 70184 Stuttgart, Germany | [phone] | www.kosmos.de
Thames & Kosmos, 89 Ship St., Providence, RI, 02903, USA | 1-800-587-2872 | www.thamesandkosmos.com
EXPERIMENT MANUAL

P4P3
5 pcs 1 pc
Round Shaft (Long)
P2P1
1 pc 4 pcs
Round Shaft (Short)
P5 P7
1 pc
Sponge
P6
P8 P9 P10
1 pc
1:1
Round Shaft (Medium)
Round Shaft (Small)
1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 3 3
1
Mechanical parts list
Tool you may need
Diagonal Cutter
Please keep the bag for Sponge. It will be
used later to keep the other small parts.
The bag is numbered P10.
Product contains functional edges and sharp points.
Hex Shaft (Short)
Hex Shaft (Long)
Spiral Spring Hairspring Zipper Bag
1:1 1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
P4P3
5 pcs 1 pc
Round Shaft (Long)
P2P1
1 pc 4 pcs
Round Shaft (Short)
P5 P7
1 pc
Sponge
P6
P8 P9 P10
1 pc
1:1
Round Shaft (Medium)
Round Shaft (Small)
1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 3 3
1
Mechanical parts list
Tool you may need
Diagonal Cutter
Please keep the bag for Sponge. It will be
used later to keep the other small parts.
The bag is numbered P10.
Product contains functional edges and sharp points.
Hex Shaft (Short)
Hex Shaft (Long)
Spiral Spring Hairspring Zipper Bag
1:1 1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
P4P3
5 pcs 1 pc
Round Shaft (Long)
P2P1
1 pc 4 pcs
Round Shaft (Short)
P5 P7
1 pc
Sponge
P6
P8 P9 P10
1 pc
1:1
Round Shaft (Medium)
Round Shaft (Small)
1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 3 3
1
Mechanical parts list
Tool you may need
Diagonal Cutter
Please keep the bag for Sponge. It will be
used later to keep the other small parts.
The bag is numbered P10.
Product contains functional edges and sharp points.
Hex Shaft (Short)
Hex Shaft (Long)
Spiral Spring Hairspring Zipper Bag
1:1 1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
P4
P3
5 pcs 1 pc
Round Shaft (Long)
P2P1
1 pc 4 pcs
Round Shaft (Short)
P5 P7
1 pc
Sponge
P6
P8 P9 P10
1 pc
1:1
Round Shaft (Medium)
Round Shaft (Small)
1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 3 3
1
Mechanical parts list
Tool you may need
Diagonal Cutter
Please keep the bag for Sponge. It will be
used later to keep the other small parts.
The bag is numbered P10.
Product contains functional edges and sharp points.
Hex Shaft (Short)
Hex Shaft (Long)
Spiral Spring Hairspring Zipper Bag
1:1 1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
C
D
E
P6
P5
P4
P7
P2
P1
P3
P8
P9
P10
P4P3
5 pcs 1 pc
Round Shaft (Long)
P2P1
1 pc 4 pcs
Round Shaft (Short)
P5 P7
1 pc
Sponge
P6
P8 P9 P10
1 pc
1:1
Round Shaft (Medium)
Round Shaft (Small)
1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 3 3
1
Mechanical parts list
Tool you may need
Diagonal Cutter
Please keep the bag for Sponge. It will be
used later to keep the other small parts.
The bag is numbered P10.
Product contains functional edges and sharp points.
Hex Shaft (Short)
Hex Shaft (Long)
Spiral Spring Hairspring Zipper Bag
1:1 1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
P4
P3
5 pcs 1 pc
Round Shaft (Long)
P2P1
1 pc 4 pcs
Round Shaft (Short)
P5 P7
1 pc
Sponge
P6
P8 P9 P10
1 pc
1:1
Round Shaft (Medium)
Round Shaft (Small)
1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 3 3
1
Mechanical parts list
Tool you may need
Diagonal Cutter
Please keep the bag for Sponge. It will be
used later to keep the other small parts.
The bag is numbered P10.
Product contains functional edges and sharp points.
Hex Shaft (Short)
Hex Shaft (Long)
Spiral Spring Hairspring Zipper Bag
1:1 1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
P4
P3
5 pcs 1 pc
Round Shaft (Long)
P2P1
1 pc 4 pcs
Round Shaft (Short)
P5 P7
1 pc
Sponge
P6
P8 P9 P10
1 pc
1:1
Round Shaft (Medium)
Round Shaft (Small)
1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 3 3
1
Mechanical parts list
Tool you may need
Diagonal Cutter
Please keep the bag for Sponge. It will be
used later to keep the other small parts.
The bag is numbered P10.
Product contains functional edges and sharp points.
Hex Shaft (Short)
Hex Shaft (Long)
Spiral Spring Hairspring Zipper Bag
1:1 1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
P4
P3
5 pcs 1 pc
Round Shaft (Long)
P2P1
1 pc 4 pcs
Round Shaft (Short)
P5 P7
1 pc
Sponge
P6
P8 P9 P10
1 pc
1:1
Round Shaft (Medium)
Round Shaft (Small)
1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 3 3
1
Mechanical parts list
Tool you may need
Diagonal Cutter
Please keep the bag for Sponge. It will be
used later to keep the other small parts.
The bag is numbered P10.
Product contains functional edges and sharp points.
Hex Shaft (Short)
Hex Shaft (Long)
Spiral Spring Hairspring Zipper Bag
1:1 1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
P4
P3
5 pcs 1 pc
Round Shaft (Long)
P2P1
1 pc 4 pcs
Round Shaft (Short)
P5 P7
1 pc
Sponge
P6
P8 P9 P10
1 pc
1:1
Round Shaft (Medium)
Round Shaft (Small)
1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 3 3
1
Mechanical parts list
Tool you may need
Diagonal Cutter
Please keep the bag for Sponge. It will be
used later to keep the other small parts.
The bag is numbered P10.
Product contains functional edges and sharp points.
Hex Shaft (Short)
Hex Shaft (Long)
Spiral Spring Hairspring Zipper Bag
1:1 1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
P4
P3
5 pcs 1 pc
Round Shaft (Long)
P2P1
1 pc 4 pcs
Round Shaft (Short)
P5 P7
1 pc
Sponge
P6
P8 P9 P10
1 pc
1:1
Round Shaft (Medium)
Round Shaft (Small)
1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 3 3
1
Mechanical parts list
Tool you may need
Diagonal Cutter
Please keep the bag for Sponge. It will be
used later to keep the other small parts.
The bag is numbered P10.
Product contains functional edges and sharp points.
Hex Shaft (Short)
Hex Shaft (Long)
Spiral Spring Hairspring Zipper Bag
1:1 1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
P4P3
5 pcs 1 pc
Round Shaft (Long)
P2P1
1 pc 4 pcs
Round Shaft (Short)
P5 P7
1 pc
Sponge
P6
P8 P9 P10
1 pc
1:1
Round Shaft (Medium)
Round Shaft (Small)
1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 3 3
1
Mechanical parts list
Tool you may need
Diagonal Cutter
Please keep the bag for Sponge. It will be
used later to keep the other small parts.
The bag is numbered P10.
Product contains functional edges and sharp points.
Hex Shaft (Short)
Hex Shaft (Long)
Spiral Spring Hairspring Zipper Bag
1:1 1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
P4P3
5 pcs 1 pc
Round Shaft (Long)
P2P1
1 pc 4 pcs
Round Shaft (Short)
P5 P7
1 pc
Sponge
P6
P8 P9 P10
1 pc
1:1
Round Shaft (Medium)
Round Shaft (Small)
1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 3 3
1
Mechanical parts list
Tool you may need
Diagonal Cutter
Please keep the bag for Sponge. It will be
used later to keep the other small parts.
The bag is numbered P10.
Product contains functional edges and sharp points.
Hex Shaft (Short)
Hex Shaft (Long)
Spiral Spring Hairspring Zipper Bag
1:1 1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
P4P3
5 pcs 1 pc
Round Shaft (Long)
P2P1
1 pc 4 pcs
Round Shaft (Short)
P5 P7
1 pc
Sponge
P6
P8 P9 P10
1 pc
1:1
Round Shaft (Medium)
Round Shaft (Small)
1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 3 3
1
Mechanical parts list
Tool you may need
Diagonal Cutter
Please keep the bag for Sponge. It will be
used later to keep the other small parts.
The bag is numbered P10.
Product contains functional edges and sharp points.
Hex Shaft (Short)
Hex Shaft (Long)
Spiral Spring Hairspring Zipper Bag
1:1 1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
P4P3
5 pcs 1 pc
Round Shaft (Long)
P2P1
1 pc 4 pcs
Round Shaft (Short)
P5 P7
1 pc
Sponge
P6
P8 P9 P10
1 pc
1:1
Round Shaft (Medium)
Round Shaft (Small)
1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 3 3
1
Mechanical parts list
Tool you may need
Diagonal Cutter
Please keep the bag for Sponge. It will be
used later to keep the other small parts.
The bag is numbered P10.
Product contains functional edges and sharp points.
Hex Shaft (Short)
Hex Shaft (Long)
Spiral Spring Hairspring Zipper Bag
1:1 1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
P4P3
5 pcs 1 pc
Round Shaft (Long)
P2
P1
1 pc 4 pcs
Round Shaft (Short)
P5 P7
1 pc
Sponge
P6
P8 P9 P10
1 pc
1:1
Round Shaft (Medium)
Round Shaft (Small)
1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 3 3
1
Mechanical parts list
Tool you may need
Diagonal Cutter
Please keep the bag for Sponge. It will be
used later to keep the other small parts.
The bag is numbered P10.
Product contains functional edges and sharp points.
Hex Shaft (Short)
Hex Shaft (Long)
Spiral Spring Hairspring Zipper Bag
1:1 1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
1:1
KIT CONTENTS
What’s inside your experiment kit:
Checklist:
No. Description Quantity Part No.
C Plastic frame C (Parts C1–C29) 1 724854
D Plastic frame D (Parts D1–D26) 1 724855
E Plastic frame E (Parts E1–E17) 1 724856
P1 Round metal rod, S 1 724859
P2 Round metal rod, M 4 724860
P3 Round metal rod, L 5 724859
P4 Round metal rod, XL 1 724859
No. Description Quantity Part No.
P5 Hexagonal metal rod, M 1 724859
P6 Hexagonal metal rod, L 1 724859
P7 Foam sticker sheet 1 724860
P8 Plastic spiral spring, large 1 724857
P9 Plastic spiral spring, small 1 724858
P10 Plastic storage bag 1 724860
These parts are shown
in actual size:
If you are missing any
parts, please contact
Thames & Kosmos
technical support.
Good to know!

Part D14 is a special tool
needed for building the models.
The instructions will tell you where to
find it and how to use it.
T


Function of D14
E3
C28 & E12
Function of D14
E3
C28 & E12
1
SpringBots
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Ready?
Let’s get
building!
Kit Contents ..................................... Inside front cover
Table of Contents ........................................................ 1
Safety Information ....................................................... 2
Important Information ................................................ 3
ASSEMBLY STARTS ON PAGE 7
The Spring Motor .............................................. 6
The Race Car Model ........................................ 18
The Timer Model ............................................. 26
The Robot Model ............................................. 42
Troubleshooting and Storage ....................................... 61
T


Additional information
can be found in the
check it out sections on
pages 17, 25, and 41
1
You will also need:
Scissors or diagonal cutter,
nail file
550038-02-120421

Using the right tool can make assembling your models easier and it can also make
your models work better in the end. It is best to cut the plastic parts out of their
frames with a small diagonal cutter (such as those used for electronics work) or
model pliers. Using these tools, the parts can be precisely cut so that no burrs
remain on the parts and there is no need to file them down.
If you don’t have these pliers at home, you can use scissors and a nail file.
Normal scissors do not cut as precisely as a diagonal cutter, so you may
have to file some of the rough edges down with the nail file.
THE RIGHT TOOL
2
SAFETY INFORMATION
Not suitable for children under 3
years. Choking hazard — small
parts may be swallowed or
inhaled. Keep the packaging and
instructions as they contain
important information.
Hold the built models as shown in
the instructions. When operating
the models, do not put your
fingers near the moving parts.
!
!
WARNING

3
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Before building and experimenting, read the in-
structions together with your child and discuss
the safety instructions. Support your child with
advice and a helping hand, especially during
tricky assembly steps or experiments.
To prevent damage to the work surface on which
your child is building and experimenting, provide
them with a mat or other surface protection.
When cutting the plastic parts out of the frames
with the diagonal cutter or scissors, special care
must be taken, not just because of the sharp
edges on the tools, but also because the plastic
parts can yield sharp edges or burrs. These can
be removed with the help of the diagonal cutter
or a nail file. Supervise your child when they are
using the sharp tools until you trust that they
can handle the tools independently.
We hope you and your child have a lot of fun
building and playing with SpringBots!
Children want to explore, understand, and create new things.
They want to try new things and they want to do this on their own.
They want to gain knowledge! They can do all of this with Thames
& Kosmos experiment kits. With every single experiment, they
grow smarter and more knowledgeable.
Dear parents and adults,
Important:
Remove the parts FROM THE FRAMES ONLY
when they are needed. Remove excess
Material before assembly with the help of a
DIAGONAL cutter OR a nail file.
T


Burr Burr
Burr
SpringBots

2
1
2
1
Correct
Incorrect
90°
Rotate
90°
Rotate
P8
P9
C2C2
Use the tail to rotate C24
1
2
Assemble C24
Disassemble C24
C24
Correct
Incorrect
90°
Rotate
90°
Rotate
P8
P9
C2C2
Use the tail to rotate C24
1
2
Assemble C24
Disassemble C24
C24
Correct
Incorrect
90°
Rotate
90°
Rotate
P8
P9
C2C2
Use the tail to rotate C24
1
2
Assemble C24
Disassemble C24
C24
Do not pull hard or P9 mght break
Do not pull hard or P8 mght break Do not rotate 2 counterclockwse
4
WARNINGS
Do not pick up the assembled kit as shown here.
To avoid injury, never put your
finger in the moving parts.

D4
C19
C6 E7
D20
P5
C3
C1
D14
E9
D9
E2
HAND RHAND L
Spiral Spring
DRIVE
Clock Surface
Front Wheel
Parts
Rear Wheel
Parts
Low Speed
Escapement
Head
C22
C29
P10
Kit box
E16
C7
E3
HAND R
Low Speed
Escapement
Rear Wheel
Parts
Head
lock Surface
HAND L
5
Assembly Instructions: General Info
TIPS FOR STORING THE PARTS AFTER ASSEMBLY
Spring
motor
Head
Clock surface
Low-speed
escapement
Front wheel
parts
Rear wheel
parts
Hand R Hand L

Wow!
This device stores up
and releases energy!

e
S
p
r
i
n
g
M
o
t
o
r
The windup spring motor is the core of your three models.
It includes a complete gearbox to transmit energy from the
spring to the moving parts of the models. On the following
pages, you will learn how to assemble the spring motor.
6


e
S
p
r
i
n
g
M
o
t
o
r
Cut off the burrs
before assembly.
C16
P6
D10
E15
E17
C15
C15
Cut off the burrs
before assembly.
C16
P6
D10
E15
E17
C15
C15
Cut off the burrs
before assembly.
C16
P6
D10
E15
E17
C15
C15
ompletely remove the
burrs before assembly
7
The Spring Motor
1
2
3
SPRING MOTOR ASSEMBLY
Actual
size
Click

C17
D11
P1
D19
Burr
Burr
C17
D11
Burr
Burr
C17
D11
P1
D19
Burr
Burr
C17
D11
Burr
Burr
C17
D11
P1
D19
Burr
Burr
C17
D11
Burr
Burr
ompletely
remove the
burrs before
assembly
ompletely
remove the
burrs before
assembly
SPRING MOTOR ASSEMBLY
8
5
6
4
Actual
size

C17
D11
P1
D19
Burr
Burr
C17
D11
Burr
Burr
C17
C4
D11
E12
C4
P3
1 : 1
C20
Burr
Burr
C20
C17
C4
D11
E12
C4
P3
1 : 1
C20
Burr
Burr
C20
C17
C4
D11
E12
C4
P3
1 : 1
C20
Burr
Burr
C20
ompletely
remove the
burrs before
assembly
ompletely remove the
burrs before assembly
Actual
size
Actual
size
Use the tip of D14 to rotate E12.
9
7
8
9
The Spring Motor

14
E12
P2 x2
E6
C28
14
E12
P2 x2
E6
C28
14
E12
P2 x2
E6
C28
14
E12
P2 x2
E6
C28
SPRING MOTOR ASSEMBLY
10
Actual
size
Actual
size
Actual size
Use the tip of D14 to rotate E12 and C28.
10
13
14
11
12

C24 x3
D17
D8
90°
Front view
Make sure you press D8 down firmly.
15
16
C24 x3
D17
D8
90°
11
The Spring Motor

C24 x2
D16
180°
C24 x2
D16
180°
C24 x2
D16
180°
SPRING MOTOR ASSEMBLY
12
19
18
17
Use this end of D14 to rotate C24.
Use this end of D14 to rotate C24.

TOP
TOP E15
P8
90°
Do not pull hard or you
mght break P8
Algn the “TOP” markngs
on P8 and E15
20
Side view
13
The Spring Motor

TOP
D1
C28 x2
1
2
2
2
1
TOP
D1
C28 x2
1
2
2
2
1
TOP
D1
C28 x2
1
2
2
2
1
TOP
D1
C28 x2
1
2
2
2
1
The “TOP” markng
should be orented up
SPRING MOTOR ASSEMBLY
14
22
23
21
Actual size Use the tip of D14 to rotate C28.

TOP
D1
C28 x2
1
2
2
2
1
TOP
D1
C28 x2
1
2
2
2
1
90°
1
C9 C2
Spiral Spring
DRIVE
90°
1
C9 C2
Spiral Spring
DRIVE
24
25
Push
Slide the switch from “1” to “0”
to lock the movement.
Done!
SPRING MOTOR TESTING
Spiral motor
15
The Spring Motor

3Run
2
Do not rotate the knob counter-
clockwse, or you mght break t
Hold the motor wth your fngers
on the sde rods, D16 and D17
SPRING MOTOR TESTING
16
Slide the switch from “0” to “1”
to activate the operation.
Rotate the knob
clockwise one full turn.
Run

Energy from
Muscle Power
Did you know that you are a small power plant? This is true
because your body is able to produce energy from the food
you eat. An average adult needs around 1,000 kilowatt hours
(kWh) of energy per year. Ninety percent of this is needed to
keep the body functions running, especially to keep the body
temperature at approximately 98.6 °F (37 °C). So there are
around 100 kWh left to do other activities. You can see in
the table below what you can do with 1 kWh.
What you can do on 1 kwh of energy
(Example calculation: With 1 kWh, you can vacuum for one hour with
a vacuum cleaner that requires 1,000 watts (1kW) to operate.)
• Charge your mobile phone about 100 times
• Drive 4.2 miles (6.7 km) with an electric car
• Operate a refrigerator for 2.5 days
• Toast 130 slices of bread in a toaster
• Light an LED bulb for 100 hours
We use the energy our bodies generate from food for
everything we do — playing sports, tidying up our
bedrooms, and for just moving around. Our muscles convert this energy
into kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion. Whether we’re cycling,
skateboarding, swimming, or running, we are using our muscles to move.
The models in this experiment kit also use your muscular strength to move. But
what’s really cool is that your muscle strength does not directly trigger the
movement of the models. Rather, the energy is first stored up by the winding up
of the spring motor and then simply released at the push of a button. When the
spring unwinds, the stored energy is slowly released again into motion. But the
energy originally came from you, when you wound up the spring.
?

CHECK IT OUT
17
Check It Out


e
R
a
c
e
C
a
r
M
o
d
e
l
After you have built the spring motor, you can tackle your first
model: the windup race car. Using the power of the spring motor,
the race car zooms across the floor up to 60 feet! Experiment to
see how far you get can it to go. Challenge your friends to a race
— this car will leave the competition in the dust!
Whoa!
Wind me up and
watch me go!
Vrooom
18