Construction set

This article is about toys and building systems. For video games, see level editor.

Lego bricks encourage learning through play.

1970s No. 2 Meccano set

Zometool Model of the Great Grand Stellated 120-Cell

A construction set is a set of standardized pieces that allow for the construction of a variety of different models or buildings. The pieces avoid the lead time of manufacturing custom pieces, and of requiring special training or design time to construct complex systems. This makes them suitable for temporary structures, or for use as children's toys.

Categories

Construction sets can be categorized according to their connection method and geometry:

• Struts of varying length that are connected by nodes are good for building spaceframes, and often have components that allow full rotational freedom.
  • C_∞ nodes are used for Systems scaffolding
  • C_2v (*22) nodes are used for unistrut
  • D₄ (*224) nodes are used for most plumbing and HVAC components
  • D_8h (*228) nodes are used for k'nex, tinkertoys, pipeworks
  • O_h (*432) nodes are used for Mero produced by Mero-Schmidlin
  • I_h (*532) nodes are used for zome
  • The Mini-T standard is currently under development by the MakerBeam team and will be released under a Creative Commons license.^{[citation needed]}

• Panels of varying sizes and shapes
  • Panels of varying sizes and shapes are connected by pins or screws perpendicular to the panels, which are good for building linkages) such as an Erector set, Meccano, Merkur, Steel Tec, Lego Technic, Trix, Metal lumber, Eitech, Multiplo,^[1] OLLO robotics kit, FAC-System, and MODELIX.
  • Panels of varying sizes and shapes with flexible panels or hinges between panels are good for building Tog'l, Jovo, Klikko Math, and SlideTab Surface Creation System.^{[citation needed]}

• Building components with various methods of connection include:
  • Uberstix
  • K'NEX
  • No connection: toy block, Anchor Stone Blocks, and kapla
  • Studs: Lego, coko, rasti, Tente (Toys), Mega Blok, Bloxes, Fischertechnik, TRIO, Playmobil, Bambino, Loc_Blocs, Cobi blocks, and Oxford
  • Notches: Lincoln Logs, GIK, and Stickle bricks
  • Sleeves: Capsela

Others systems not yet categorized

• Engino Toy System (Engino Engineering Kits or Engino Mechanical Kits)
• Zometool

References

1. ^ http://www.girdersandgears.com/eitechstore.html