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  Course: Systems & Structures
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Introduction to TECHNIC Make your models work with TECNHIC! Once you have mastered LEGO System, learn to create working models and simple machines with the LEGO TECHNIC building system.  
The LEGO TECHNIC building system, first released in 1977, was developed so inventive builders like yourself could create even cooler LEGO models that amble, cavort, wobble, quake, giddyup and otherwise move in all sorts of fantastic and imaginative ways. The TECHNIC system includes specific elements such as axles, beams, connector pegs, and gears, which are all generally compatible with the standard LEGO System elements. You can use these TECHNIC elements to add lots of movement and functionality to your LEGO models.
Let's get moving! When designing a TECHNIC model which includes moving parts, you should first spend some time studying how things move in the world around you. Take a good look at your bike, and see how the pedals turn the wheels. Watch how the gears mesh as you turn the crank on a simple can opener. Study closely how your pet iguana moves its legs as it runs from your kid sister. Movement is generally regulated by basic mechanical principles, and TECHNIC models which involve movement can be called machines. Whether it's very simple or highly complex, a machine is something that helps you perform work. Machines actually transfer energy (for example from your bikes' pedals to its wheels), and can be used to make something move faster (or slower), change direction, or work harder. The Tools of Technic Beams Beams are the basic structure elements in the LEGO TECHNIC system. They provide the scaffolding, or framework, for TECHNIC models. When used with connector pegs and a few standard plates, beams will help you create very rigid structures. There are three types of beams in the LEGO TECHNIC range of elements -- half beams, beams and TECHNIC bricks. A TECHNIC beam is about 8mm wide and 8mm tall with no studs and an odd number of holes in the side. A half-beam is similar to this element, except it is 1/2 as wide, or about 4mm in width. A TECHNIC brick looks like a standard LEGO brick with an odd number of holes punched through it -- a 6-stud TECHNIC brick will actually have 5 holes in the side. TECHNIC bricks also have hollow studs on the top side of the brick. Connector pegs Connector pegs are used as the fasteners of the TECHNIC world. Like screws or bolts, they hold many LEGO TECHNIC creations together. Connector pegs come in a few flavors. The first type is a standard gray connector peg, which is 16mm long and has a stop ridge in the middle of the length. It can connect two beams (or any TECHNIC elements with holes) so that they can swing freely. The next type of connector peg is usually black, and has small ribs on it that make it more difficult for the peg to turn inside the hole of a beam. These black connector pegs are also known as connector pegs with friction. There are also some black connector pegs that are a bit longer (about 24mm), with a ridge partway in on one end, and a bump partway in on the other end. Another special connector peg has an axle on one end; this peg may be gray or tan, depending on when it was manufactured. When using connector pegs to lock beams, be sure to measure the distances properly, so you don't put unnecessary stress on the pegs. Also, it is not a good idea to push anything into the hole at the end of a connector peg if the peg is already in a beam.
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