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ABSTechnology members (from left to right) Aetan, Tristian, Panzer and Fabione
| ABSTechnology: |
ABSTechnology (http://www.abstechnology.org) is a group of Italian AFOLs specializing in Technic MOCS. The group formed in 2004, when four members of ITLug (Italian LEGO Users Group) – Andrea D. (aka Gearman), Fabio S. (aka Fabione), Andrea G. (aka Sixlovers) and Stefano P. (aka SteP) – decided to put up a website showcasing their building efforts; hoping someone would notice them and give them the opportunity to show off or even sell some models.
Since this group was born from regular «LEGOfest» events, as the Itlug group members increased in number, ABS Technology became larger and larger, as well as its construction yard layout, which we call «il cantiere technic».
Now ABSTechnology counts ten members from every part of the country, each having its very own building style, but always featuring top- notch technical and aesthetic solutions. Every MOC we create is fully working, stuffed with details and sophisticated mechanics. In the last year we have decided to add more realism to our models by making them radio controlled with the standard LEGO Racing R/C, and we also have added lights (with high luminosity LEDs, like the
Miniland models in the LEGOLAND Parks)
As the number of our MOCS increased with time, we have decided to put them working together on a construction yard layout (just because many of our models are earth moving machinery) which at the moment counts a total surface of approximately 20 m2, everything built with countless genuine LEGO bricks.
Usually our MOCS are scaled to 1:20, which is the approximate scale of the Technic minifig. But ABSTechnology does not only mean «construction yard machinery», so at our shows you’ll find racing cars, trucks and every sort of vehicle or building which stimulates and challenges our imagination.
As everyone is free to build whatever one likes, ABSTechnology is a free group – that means everyone can join our projects, layouts and events, just for the sake of it. And by the way, another great thing is helping each other!!
| Luca “Rosco PC” Rusconi says : My working procedure is very similar to that used by my ABSTechnology friends, but I used to completely build my models in MLcad before starting the final assembly, and the model scale is not always exactly the same. First I collect many pictures and technical data of the real car, then I have to fix the model scale based on the existing dimensions of LEGO tyres: these parts are normally controlling the overall model dimension. As a modeler, I try to reproduce as well as possible the suspension geometry and all the proportions of the chassis and bodywork, including the internals: most likely a LEGO fan may appreciate the construction, while only an F1 addicted person could really |
Fabio “Fabione” Sali says: I try to reproduce at best the working of every part of the model: trucks with Ackermann steering correction, working self-balancing suspensions, etc. I like very much not only the mechanical details but even the playability, so recently I’ve abandoned the pneumatic system on my excavators because it’s not very precise, and I’ve replaced it with a rack system that makes the model very fun to play with.” |
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 | Cristian “Tristian” Sala says: “As a member of ITLug I joined ABS Technology at the beginning of the last year when Panzer persuaded me to move from sculptures to scaled Technic models. I was very excited by this trial because I like LEGO constructions in all of its aspects. My models are not so complicated in mechanics as the models of the other friends, I’m more oriented in the “visual” part, so I try to reproduce closest as possible the details of the models. But I like to have the model fully working too, so many times I have to sacrifice some details for making room for the engines, battery boxes, radio receiver and Technic mechanics. I also pay attention to the scenery on our construction yard; so I build (and stimulate other members to do the same) little surrounding details such as a chemical bathroom, prefabricated offices and other thing that make the environment much similar to a real construction site. I like very much the MOC of the ARVO group… I hope to meet them somewhere along the way. |
Stefano “SteP” Prosseda (left) says: “I always try to introduce novelty mechanics into my MOCs – mostly elevators and forklifts – my small efforts against gravity. I try to keep them as small as possible (though still in Technic minifig scale): a compact MOC is affordable, quick to build and playable, but still very challenging to design and develop, because of the lack of space for gearings and mechanisms. Even if the space is limited, no bricks were harmed in my designs – I only build with original pieces.” |
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 | Riccardo “Rik” Grego says: “Hi to all… I’m Rik, a young member of ITLug ABSTechnology,so I don’t have so many MOCs like my “older” friends. I like to build many details in my models, and for this reason I analyze many pictures before putting my energy in a new project. My last MOC is a complete concrete batching plant with a twin shaft mixer. The preloading zone is built with a belt-conveyor fixed on a turntable and the mixer is loaded with a loading skip and … it really makes concrete… (I used light gray Technic pins to simulate concrete material, which are moved from the loading zone to the discharge zone without human help). Every belt conveyor is moving, like the loading skip and the twin shaft of the mixer. The aggregate storage hoppers have a pneumatic system to open the discharge gate. Moreover, I like to have a real image of my MOC, so I’m the print factory of my models, even if sometime I can’t get real colors. Many thanks to Gearman, my «Jedi teacher…» ” |
| Andrea “6Lovers” Grazi says: “ I like to range from Technic to Model Team, because I think that the ideal result comes from the fusion of these two building styles. I always try to reach this compromise without renouncing to sturdiness and playability; the originality of a mechanical solution or a novelty design is the starting point for all my MOCs. I mainly build transportation vehicles or construction machinery, taking therefore inspiration from reality; but I always give a «playable» side to my models, which are deliberately without stickers and somewhat disproportionate in some detail.” |
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| Paolo “Panzer” Panzone says: “As many of the other members of ABSTechnology I build 1:20 earth moving equipment too. Usually, I like every kind of machine (excavators, dumpers, crane etc.) and I try to replicate them as close as possible in the mechanical and aesthetic part. The most important thing for me is to reach the right balance between beauty and playability. It’s not always so easy to reach this objective because the scale in which we build brings on a lot of space problems and the LEGO electric parts are not so tiny!!. Just like the other friends I start up searching information and pictures of the real model and often I buy the 1:50 scaled model of the machine I’ve chosen to build. I also enjoy drawing the stickers to attach to the models, and often I draw stickers for the other guy’s models. ” |
In 2007 ABSTechnology is: Andrea “Gearman” Donadello (gallery) |
Links:
Italy LEGO Users Group (Itlug)
ABSTechnology
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