K'Nex pieces

The three different ways that rods join with connectors.

The K'Nex construction toy originally consisted of 19 different interlocking K'NEX pieces of two types, positives and negatives and neutrals.^[1] Snapping rods into connectors is the basis of building structures out of K'NEX. The majority of inflexible K'Nex pieces are made out of Celcon (Polyoxymethylene) plastic.^[2] This page lists the most common pieces that have been introduced since the first K'Nex release in 1992.

Connectors

Connectors are various shapes and colors, with each color of connector having a different number of slots for rods. Some connectors, such as violet and blue connectors, have slots that allow them to interlock with each other and form three-dimensional bases to snap rods into.

Some specific types of connectors include:

Ladder connectors
Connectors that span various degrees (45, 90, 135, 180 and 360)
Tabbed connectors, used to connect tubing on the K'nex Original Roller Coaster, Big Ball Factory, Trampoline Tower and Big Air Ball Tower, among others
3D connectors
Light Module connectors, used in the Light Ups 30 Model Building set

Photo Gallery

Yellow Connector
White Connector
Red Connector
Green Connector
Gray Connector
Gray Connector With Hole
Violet/Grey Connector.
Blue Connector

Rods

Rods and connectors work together to make stable 2-D shapes. Standard rod lengths allow right triangles to be easily constructed.

Rods come in several lengths, styles, and colors, but all are the same width, ¹⁄₄", to snap in to connectors.

Standard rods are straight and mostly inflexible, with lengths ranging from ³⁄₄" to 7¹⁄₂"
Light-up rods are also inflexible and come in two lengths: 5¹⁄₈" and 7¹⁄₂"
Flexi-rods are bendable and come in various lengths

Other pieces

Many K'NEX sets also have special pieces, as seen above.^[3] These pieces typically are used in the construction of the specific model in the instructions of the set, and are not found in every set.

Spacers
Gears
Panels
Locks
Ball Joints
Ball Sockets
Hinges
Motors (various types, which run on either electricity or solar power)
Tracks (for construction of roller coasters)
Tubing
Boosters (found in K'nex Lava Launch Coaster)
Trains
Pulleys
Tires
Wheels

. Toy gun parts (for k force)

References

↑ http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/k-nex-industries-inc-history/
↑ "Ticona Polymer and Processing Expertise Helps Rodon Deliver Successes, Including K’NEX® Toys". celanese.com. Celanese Corporation. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
↑ http://knex.com/products/

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, April 27, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.