Thames GECKOBOT User manual
EXPERIMENT MANUAL
Franckh-Kosmos Verlags-GmbH Co. KG, Pfizerstr. -, Stuttgart, Germany | + () - | www.kosmos.de
Thames Kosmos, Friendship St., Providence, RI, , USA | --- | www.thamesandkosmos.com
Thames Kosmos UK Ltd, Goudhurst, Kent, TN QZ, United Kingdom | | www.thamesandkosmos.co.uk
620365-03-200516
Kosmos Quality and Safety
More than one hundred years of expertise in publishing science
experiment kits stand behind every product that bears the Kosmos
name. Kosmos experiment kits are designed by an experienced team
of specialists and tested with the utmost care during development
and production. With regard to product safety, these experiment
kits follow European and US safety standards, as well as our own
refined proprietary safety guidelines. By working closely with our
manufacturing partners and safety testing labs, we are able to
control all stages of production. While the majority of our products
are made in Germany, all of our products, regardless of origin,
follow the same rigid quality standards.
st Edition © Thames Kosmos, LLC, Providence, RI, USA
Thames Kosmos® is a registered trademark of Thames Kosmos, LLC.
This work, including all its parts, is copyright protected. Any use outside the specific limits of the copyright law is prohibited and punishable
by law without the consent of the publisher. This applies specifically to reproductions, translations, microfilming, and storage and
processing in electronic systems and networks. We do not guarantee that all material in this work is free from other copyright or other
protection.
Technical product development: Genius Toy Taiwan Co., Ltd.
Text, editing, and layout: Ted McGuire, Camille Duhamel
Additional graphics and layout: Dan Freitas
Manual style guide: Atelier Bea Klenk, Berlin
Manual assembly illustrations: Genius Toy Taiwan Co., Ltd.
Manual photos: picsfive, fotolia.com (all pushpins); askaja, fotolia.com (all paper clips); Jaimie Duplass, fotolia.com
(all tape strips); tunat, fotolia.com, p. 1 and p. 6 (gecko); Oliver Sved, fotolia.com, p. 1 and p. 17 (robotic arm); photo 5000, fotolia.com, p. 21
(scissor lift); Chris Howells, fotolia.com, p. 22 (inch worm)
All other images: Genius Toy Taiwan Co., Ltd. and Thames Kosmos
Packaging style guide: Peter Schmidt Group GmbH, Hamburg
Packaging design: Dan Freitas
Packaging photos: Genius Toy Taiwan Co., Ltd.
The publisher has made every effort to identify the owners of the rights to all photos used. If there is any instance in which the owners of the
rights to any pictures have not been acknowledged, they are asked to inform the publisher about their copyright ownership so that they may
receive the customary image fee.
Distributed in North America by Thames Kosmos, LLC. Providence, RI
Phone: --; Web: www.thamesandkosmos.com
Distributed in United Kingdom by Thames Kosmos UK, LP. Goudhurst, Kent TN QZ
Phone: ; Web: www.thamesandkosmos.co.uk
We reserve the right to make technical changes.
Printed in Taiwan / Imprimé en Taïwan
› › › SAFETY INFORMATION
Safety Information
The geckobot and other models in this kit have many moving
parts. Please always be careful that fingers, hair, other body
parts, or delicate objects are not harmed by or pinched between
the moving parts (e.g., in the linkage of the suction gun). Handle
the models carefully.
If children are playing with the geckobot model on a mirror or
other glass surface that is affixed to a wall, the mirror or glass
surface could fall off the wall when the model is pulled off the
surface. Please make sure the model is used only on well-secured
surfaces.
If the geckobot model climbs out of the reach of children, they
might try to climb up to retrieve the model. Please make sure
children do not injure themselves trying to retrieve the model.
For any toy that is used with a window, like the geckobot model,
there is the potential risk that a child opens the window and falls
out the window. Please supervise children around windows.
Children should be supervised by an adult at all times when
playing with the geckobot model. We encourage parents and
adults to set up a safe playing environment for the geckobot
model.
Warning. Not suitable for children under years. Choking hazard
— small parts may be swallowed or inhaled. Strangulation
hazard — long tubes may become wrapped around the neck.
Store the experiment material, particularly the battery-powered
motor, and assembled models out of the reach of small children.
Warning! Only for use by children aged years and older.
Instructions for parents or other supervising adults are included
and have to be observed. Keep the packaging and instructions as
they contain important information.
Safety for Experiments with
Batteries
››› The wires are not to be inserted into socket-outlets. Never
perform experiments using household current! The high voltage
can be extremely dangerous or fatal!
››› Two AAA baeries (.-volt/LR) are required, which could
not be included in the kit due to their limited shelf life.
››› The supply terminals are not to be short-circuited. A short
circuit can cause the wires to overheat and the baeries to
explode.
››› Different types of baeries or new and used baeries are not
to be mixed.
››› Do not mix old and new baeries.
››› Do not mix alkaline, standard (carbon-zinc), or rechargeable
(nickel-cadmium) baeries.
››› Baeries are to be inserted with the correct polarity. Press
them gently into the baery compartment. Follow the
instructions on page . Always close the baery compartment
with the lid after installing baeries.
››› Non-rechargeable baeries are not to be recharged. They
could explode!
››› Rechargeable baeries are only to be charged under adult
supervision.
››› Rechargeable baeries are to be removed from the toy before
being charged.
››› Exhausted baeries are to be removed from the toy.
››› Dispose of used baeries in accordance with environmental
provisions, not in the household trash.
››› Be sure not to bring baeries into contact with coins, keys, or
other metal objects.
››› Avoid deforming the baeries.
With all of the experiments that use baeries, have an adult
check the experiment or model before use to make sure it is
assembled properly. Always operate the motorized models
under adult supervision.
Note the safety information accompanying the individual
experiments or models.
After you are done experimenting, remove the baeries from the
baery compartments.
Notes on Disposal of Electrical
and Electronic Components
None of the electrical or electronic components in this
kit should be disposed of in the regular household
trash when you have finished using them. Instead,
they must be delivered to a collection location for the
recycling of electrical and electronic devices. The
symbol on the product, instructions for use, or
packaging will indicate this. The materials are reusable in
accordance with their designation. By reusing or recycling used
devices, you are making an important contribution to the
protection of the environment. Please consult your local
authorities for the appropriate disposal location.
Dear Parents and Adults,
Before starting the experiments, read through the instruction
manual together with your child and discuss the safety
information. Check to make sure the models have been
assembled correctly, and assist your child with the experiments.
The geckobot requires a very smooth surface like a glass window
or mirror. Please assist your child in finding a surface where he or
she can play with the geckobot safely. To avoid accidents, do not
let the geckobot walk out of reach.
We hope you and your child have a lot of fun with the
experiments!
Safety Information ............................................................ Inside front cover
Table of Contents............................................................................................. 1
Kit Contents....................................................................................................... 2
MODELS
Geckobot .................................................................................................................. 3
How to operate the geckobot............................................................................14
Industrial robot arm .......................................................................................... 16
Suction tow truck ............................................................................................... 18
Suction gun ........................................................................................................... 20
Inch worm ............................................................................................................. 22
Smartphone holder ............................................................................................ 23
Ellipsograph ......................................................................................................... 24
Publisher’s Information .................................................... Inside back cover
TIP!
At the top of each model assembly page, you will find a red bar:
››› It shows how difficult the model’s assembly will be:
easy medium hard
› › › TABLE OF CONTENTS
Geckobot
1
HOW DO SUCTION CUPS WORK
Suction cups are devices that use air pressure or
water pressure to stick to hard, smooth surfaces
where a partial vacuum can be created.
A suction cup has a cup-shaped surface made
of a flexible material, like silicone, rubber, or
plastic. When this cup is pressed against a hard
surface, the air inside the cup, between the cup
and the surface, gets pushed out. Air particles
get pushed out, creating a void, or vacuum,
inside the cup. The regular atmospheric air
outside the cup remains the same, containing
many more air particles per unit volume of
space than inside the cup. All these air particles
are constantly flying around through the air and
hiing things. Each one makes a tiny impact.
The sum of all these tiny impacts is air pressure.
There are a lot more air particles per
unit volume on the outside of the cup
than on the inside, so the air pressure is
a lot higher on the outside than on the
inside. This difference in air pressure is
what keeps the suction cup stuck to the
surface.
Over time, the material of the suction
cup returns to its original shape. The
forces pulling the suction cup back into
its original shape are ultimately
stronger than the air pressure keeping
the suction cup stuck to the surface.
When the suction cup returns to its
original shape, the low pressure inside
the cup is released, so the suction cup
will no longer stick to the surface.
TIP! The anchor pin lever
In the box, you will find a little yellow tool
called the anchor pin lever.
1. End A of the anchor pin lever makes it easy
to remove anchor pins from the frames.
2. End B of the tool can be used for prying up
and separating other parts. 1 2
A
B
620365-02-030616
Suction cup Air particles
Surface
Unstuck suction cup:
Pressing suction cup down:
Stuck suction cup:
Low pressure
No. Description Qty. Item No.
Short anchor pin (yellow) WCY
Anchor pin (orange) WCO
Joint pin WAR
Tube bolt WGO
Tube bolt cap WFO
Shaft plug WHY
Shaft pin WJR
Two-to-one converter WGTB
Long button pin WETY
Tube, mm WGD
-hole wide rounded rod WCG
Curved rod (dark green) WVG
Curved rod (light green) WVG
-hole dual rod C WSG
-hole rod B WKG
-hole flat rounded rod (light green) WCG
-hole flat rounded rod (dark green) WCG
-hole wide rounded rod WCG
-hole rod WCG
Square frame WTG
Axle, mm WOD
No. Description Qty. Item No.
Axle, mm WMD
Axle, mm WQD
Small gear WDS
Angled arm WBG
Triangular bracket WKG
Tube, cm W
Anchor pin lever WBY
Tube connector cap WFR
-hole crank (dark green) WHG
-hole crank (light green) WHG
Small cam (pear shape) WGR
Large cam (teardrop shape) WGR
-hole -degree converter WIG
Suction cup pad WE
Dual valve (light green) WDG
Dual valve (dark green) WDG
Pump (light green) WCG
Pump (dark green) WCG
Motor box WA
Geckobot eye stickers R#-US
9 cm x 2 15 cm x 2 17 cm x 2 20 cm x 3 27 cm x 2
NOTE! Cutting the tube to length
You must cut the 200-cm tube into these lengths. The specific lengths needed for each
model are indicated in the assembly instructions for each model. You will have 4 cm of
tube left over after cutting. You can use the measuring guide on the left edge of this page.
You can also write the lengths on the tubes with a pen so they are easier to tell apart.
16
1
What’s inside your experiment kit:
You will also need:
x AAA batteries (.-volt, type
AAA/LR), scissors, ruler or
measuring tape, smooth flat
climbing surface (such as glass,
plastic, or smooth laminate),
small Phillips-head screwdriver,
a few sheets of paper, sheet of
thin plastic (such as a binder
cover), marker
Checklist: Find – Inspect – Check off
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 2827 29 30 31 32 33 34
35 36 37 38 40 4139
27
20
17
15
9
Centimeters
0
› › › KIT CONTENTS
2
GOOD TO KNOW ! If you are missing any
parts, please contact Thames Kosmos
customer service.
US: techsupport@thamesandkosmos.com
UK: techsupport@thamesandkosmos.co.uk
16
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26
28
27
29 30 31 32 33 34 35
36 37 38 40 4139
10x
8x 4x 1x 4x 4x
1x 4x 4x 18x 3x 1x 1x
1x 4x 4x 4x 2x 2x 4x
4x
1x 1x 2x 2x 1x 1x
10x 10x 4x 12x 4x 6x 1x 2x 5x 7x 5x 5 x
4x 4x
12
3 4
5
6
2x
Body units: Steps 1through 8
Repeat steps 1 through
8 twice to build two
copies of this body unit.
Actual size 6 cm
Side view
GECKOBOT
3
Geckobot
TIP!
After you build the geckobot model,
make sure you read and follow all of the
instructions for operating the geckobot
on pages 14-15.
Actual size 7 cm
7
8
910 11
2x
2x
Legs: Steps 9through 15
Repeat steps 9
through 15 twice
to aach two legs
to each body unit.
Assemble
two feet.
TIP! When one of the suction cups is stuck to a
surface and you want to release it, pull one of
the small yellow tabs on the suction cup,
rather than trying to pull the whole model.
GECKOBOT
4
Note the orientation of the feet. One
is in front and the other is in back.
Top view
Top view
Side view
12
13
14
15
5
Geckobot
On/Off Switch
Head
Head
Head
Tail
Tail
Baery
compartment
cover
Zero
point
Motor unit
The geckobot’s walking direction is dictated
by the motor. It is important to install the
motor unit in the correct orientation in the
model. The baery compartment cover
should be facing the tail of the geckobot.
The power switch is closer to the head.
How to install and remove the baeries:
Install the baeries by removing the cover,
inserting the baeries in the correct polarity
direction as indicated by the markings on
the motor unit, and closing the cover again.
You will need a small Phillips-head
screwdriver to remove and replace the
screw holding the cover in place.
Turn on the power and try to get the orange
motor disk oriented as close to the “zero
point” as possible, as shown in the diagram.
This will make assembling the model much
easier later.
16
DID YOU KNOW?
Geckos are reptiles that can easily climb on
smooth walls without falling off. The secret of
the gecko’s foot lies in its nanostructure. The
gecko’s foot is divided into “setae,” or tiny hairs
in the micrometer range, which are in turn
covered with tiny “spatulae,” which are a kind of
platelet just a few nanometers in size. These tiny
structures enable the
gecko to grip the
nanoscopic nooks and
crannies in seemingly
smooth walls. Geckos
have 6.5 x 106setae —
each one supports a
lile bit of the gecko’s
weight.
Your geckobot uses
suction cups instead of
setae to hold itself up.
GECKOBOT
6
Actual size 6 cm
Top view
17
18
19
20
21
2x
Note the orientation
of the feet.
TIP! At this point, you
should make sure that the
geckobot’s legs can rotate
through a complete
rotation. Make sure that the
axles that aach the legs
to the body are not sticking
out too far and blocking the
rotation of the legs.
7
Geckobot
Note the orientation
of the feet.
Press the pump down
before assembling.
Remove the small gear
to easily rotate the legs.
Left side
Head
Head
Head
Head
Head
Head
Right side
24 Aligning the legs
for smooth walking
Follow the diagram below to
correctly orient the legs with
each other and the red cams on
each side. The legs and cams
have to be aligned or else the
geckobot will not walk or stick to
the surfaces. To adjust the legs,
remove the small gear, turn the
legs into place, and replace the
small gear to lock them in place.
1
2
3
22
23
GECKOBOT
8
Small cams
These small cams
control when the
pressure is released
in the suction cups.
When the tip
presses on the valve
and opens it, the
suction cups lose
their pressure.
Dual valve
When the pressure relief
buon is not pressed in,
the valve is closed. When
the geckobot lifts its
foot, the buon must be
pushed in to release the
pressure at the suction
cup. Each of the two
dual valves has two sets
of release buons and
tube connectors.
These two tips
must be placed on
the axle so that
one tip is rotated
180 degrees from
the other.
Top view
Slide the small cam assembly into the motor box so that the
top cam tip points to the back right.
Side view
Note the direction
of the small cams
and valve buons.
The valves need to
face inward,
toward the cams.
25 26
27
Small
cam
shaft
9
Geckobot
A B
C D
Side view
Choose a pair of eye
stickers.
28
29
30
31
32
33
Head: Steps 28 through 33
GECKOBOT
10
9-cm tube
20-cm tube
9-cm tube
9-cm tube
Run the tube
through the joint pin.
9-cm tube
You must cut the tube into segments of
the indicated lengths. Use a ruler or
measuring tape and scissors.
Top view
Side view
9-cm tube
20-cm tube
39
Aach the head.
34
35
36
37
38
Tail: Steps 35 through 39
11
Geckobot
Underside
17-cm tube
When the tubes are inserted, the geckobot’s suction cup
feet will start to stick to the table. You can put the model
on a piece of paper or fabric to keep it from sticking.
Aach the tail.
27-cm tube
40 41
Connecting the tubes: Steps 42 through 45
42
GECKOBOT
12
15-cm tube
20-cm tube
15-cm tube
20-cm tube
43
44
13
Geckobot
17-cm tube
27-cm tube
45 Done!
How to operate the geckobot
1Make sure the suction cups are clean. If the suction
cups have dust on them, they will lose pressure.
Clean them by wiping them with a wet towel.
Using a dab of lotion to clean the suction cups will
make them stick to smooth vertical surfaces beer.
2Make sure the large cams are at the zero points.
Turn on the motor and try to stop it so that the
large cams stop at the zero points. The cams on the
two sides are rotated 180 degrees apart. At the
zero point, the cam on the left side faces
downward and the cam on the right side faces
upward.
3Make sure the left rear foot is as far back as it goes
and flat on the table. If you need to, remove the
small gear and adjust the rear feet. The feet need
to be 180 degrees apart, forward and backward.
Then reaach the small gear.
4Make sure the right front foot is as far back as it
goes and flat on the table. If you need to, adjust
the front feet by removing the small gear as
described in step 3.
Large cam at
zero point.
Tail
Head
Be careful with the model! Handle your geckobot
model delicately. Pick it up by the body — not the
tubes, legs, tail, or head.
1 2
3
4
TIP! When one of the suction cups is stuck to a
surface and you want to release it, pull one of
the small yellow tabs on the suction cup,
rather than trying to pull the whole model.
GECKOBOT
14
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Inside the geckobot, the baery
powered motor drives a gear system
with three outputs: The motor shafts
on the left and right sides turn both
the large cams and gear trains
connected to the legs. The third motor output turns the small cam
shaft on the top, which operates the suction release valves. The gear
trains move the legs in a synchronized manner, causing the legs to
move back and forth and up and down — so two of the feet are
touching the wall while the other two feet are lifted off of the wall,
in an alternating motion.
At the start of the cycle, the two suction cups touching the wall are
held in place by a vacuum. The suction release valves on the top of
the model are closed, which maintains the vacuum.
Next, the two lifted feet turn and press down onto the wall surface.
At this very moment, the large cams compress the accordion pump
to blow a puff of air from the pump through the tube to the two feet
stuck to the wall, which are at this same moment lifting off of the
wall. The puff of air releases the vacuum in these suction cups and
lets them release from the wall.
As the large cams rotate, they alternate between creating air
pressure and a vacuum every half rotation. The moment when the
condition in the tube changes from vacuum to pressure is when
the small cam on the top quickly opens and closes the valves
connected to tubes that distribute the air flow.
In summary, the air pumps are creating a cushion of air that
allows the suction cups to lose their grip at the exact moment
when the other two suction cups are pressing onto the wall and
starting to grip the wall.
5If necessary, adjust the small cams. Use the anchor pin
lever tool to remove the 7-hole round rod on the top of the
model. Then adjust the top small cam shaft to the correct
position, as shown here and described on page 9.
6Test the geckobot by turning it on and leing it walk on a
flat tabletop first.
A. If the model walks smoothly on the table, well done!
Now, test its ability to climb on a smooth vertical
surface as described below.
B. If the model sticks to the table and doesn’t walk, the
timing of the suction release is probably not synced up
properly. Rotate the position of the small cam shaft
clockwise in 45 degree increments until the model can
walk smoothly on the table.
7Now test out the geckobot on a smooth vertical surface!
Stick the geckobot to the surface. Make sure at least two of
the suction cups stick to the surface. It’s best to keep your
hand on the model or ready to catch the model if it falls.
Also, it’s a good idea to have something soft on the floor
underneath the model in case it falls. Turn the model on.
A. If the model walks smoothly on the vertical surface,
well done! Play around with it and try it on different
surfaces.
B. If the model sticks to the surface and doesn’t walk, the
timing of the suction release is probably too slow. Rotate
the position of the small cam shaft clockwise in 45 degree
increments until the model can walk smoothly up the
surface.
C. If the model slides down the surface or falls off, the
timing of the suction release is probably too fast. Rotate
the position of the small cam shaft counterclockwise in 45
degree increments until the model can walk smoothly up
the surface.
D. If you try many times to adjust the small cam and the
geckobot still does not climb up the surface, try step 8.
8In some situations, the geckobot needs some minor
adjustments to its pace. First, try turning the small cam
shaft from “Slide” to “Stick,” and then back to “Slide” again
(one 45-degree increment).
Now focus on the right front foot. As you did in step 24,
remove the small gear while holding the legs in place so
they don’t rotate around uncontrollably. Then carefully
turn the right front leg so the two gears aached to the leg
turn one-tooth increment clockwise. Reaach the small
gear to lock the legs in place again. Try the model again.
The geckobot has many moving parts and functional
mechanisms. It is common for it to take some adjustments
before it works properly. Don’t get discouraged! Geing it to
work is part of the learning process.
Turn the cam shaft one
45-degree increment.
7B. If model is sticking
Stick Slide
7C. If model is sliding
The vertical climbing surface must be very smooth. Glass
windows, glass mirrors, smooth plastic, smooth metal, and
some glossy wood or laminate surfaces will work.
Ask your parents where you are allowed to play with the
geckobot. The climbing surface must be stable and secure.
5
6B
7
8
Be careful not
to let your
geckobot
climb out of
reach!
Danger! When using the geckobot on
a window, there is the potential risk
that a child opens the window and
falls out the window. Please
supervise children around windows.
15
Geckobot
Flip over
Flip over
Flip over
161 2 3 4 5 10 11 12 15 17
18 19 20 22 25
28
27
29 30 34 35 36 40
10x 8x 4x
1x 3x 4x 1x 2 x 1x
1x 1x 1x 1x
1x 1x 1x
9x 10x 2x 3x 4x 3x 4x 1x 2x
INDUSTRIAL ROBOT ARM
1
2
3
4
5
6 7
8
9
16
20-cm tube
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Position the suction cup over a
sheet of thin plastic. Turn the
power on with the switch. The
motor turns the mechanical
linkage that forms the arm of the model. The arm drops
downward and the suction cup engages the sheet of plastic.
The arm then rises up again, bringing the sheet of plastic
with it. You can swivel the arm to move the sheet of plastic
into place. You can release the suction pressure to drop the
plastic into place by pressing the suction release valve
buon. Robotic arms like this are used in factories to place
windshields onto cars during production.
Done!
4
9
10 11 12 13
14 15
16 17
18
Sheet of
thin
plastic
17
Industrial Robot Arm
Car: Steps 1through 6
9-cm
tube
16
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13
14 15 18 19 20
23 24 25 2827 29
34 35 36 37
7x
5x 1x 2x 3x
2x 8x 1x 1x 1x 2 x
1x
2x 1x 1x
6x 9x 4x 4x 4x 1x 2x 2x 3x 5x 4 x
4x 4x
SUCTION TOW TRUCK
1
2
3
45
6
78
10
9
18
Tow Truck: Steps 7through 20
2x
2x
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