Building Blocks have the following products available for sales or evaluation. Please contact us for more details.

Dexter Industries

• Thermal Infrared
• NXTBee
• NXTBeePro
• dGPS
• dSolar 4W
• dFlex
• dPressure
• dThermometer

3rd Party Sensors

• NXT PSU (External Power Supply for NXT)

The Dexter Industries Thermal Infrared Sensor reads surface temperatures of objects. It is a non-contact thermometer based on the MLX90614. Detecting the infrared radiation from an object, the sensor can read object temperatures between -70°C and +380°C. The sensor has a high accuracy of 0.5°C and a resolution of 0.02°C.

The Thermal Infrared Sensor reads both the ambient temperature (the temperature of the air around the sensor) and the surface temperature of the object that the sensor is pointed towards.

Highlights

• Measure temperatures between -70°C and 380°C
• High accuracy of 0.5°C and resolution of 0.02°C

Manual

• User Manual for Thermal Infrared sensor can be found here.

Download

• Thermal Infrared Sensor blocks and programming examples here.

Resources

• DI's blog.

Availability

• Limited

Price

• MYR239 (Malaysia) / USD79 (Paypal only)
• Purchase / Enquire

The Dexter Industries NXTBee sensor brings the Digi XBee radios to the Lego Mindstorms NXT system! These high-speed long-distance wireless communications sensors allow your NXT to communicate with any other device with an XBee radio. The XBee 802.15 communication protocol is the standard for robots everywhere!

Performance: NXTBee

• Power output: 1mW (+0 dBm) International version
• Indoor/Urban range: Up to 30m
• Outdoor/RF line-of-sight range: Up to 90m
• Operating frequency: 2.4 GHz
• Receiver sensitivity: -92 dBm

Networking

• Spread Spectrum type: DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum)
• Networking topology: Point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, & peer-to-peer
• Error handling: Retries & acknowledgements
• Filtration options: PAN ID, Channel, and 64-bit addresses
• Channel capacity:
• NXTBee: 16 Channels
• NXTBee-PRO: 12 Channels
• Addressing: 65,000 network addresses available for each channel

Highlights

• Fast & long distance wireless communications
• Indoor range of ~30m
• Outdoor range of ~90m
• Talk to multiple NXTs and other devices and robots
• Minimal configuration with advanced options for secure and mesh networking

Manual

• User Manual for NXTBee can be found here.
• Technical Specs for XBee can be found here.

Download

• NXTBee Sensor blocks and programming examples here.

Resources

• DI's blog.

Availability

• Available

Price

• MYR239 (Malaysia) / USD79 (Paypal only)
• Purchase / Enquire

The NXTBee-PRO comes installed with an X-Bee PRO radio. The X-Bee PRO can send two way data back and forth up to 1.2 KM. The X-Bee can communicate with other XBee radios (on non NXT or NXTBee devices), other NXTBees, and other NXTBee PRO's

The NXTBee-PRO comes with a 9V battery adapter and requires a 9V battery to power the radio.

Performance: NXTBee PRO

• Power output: 63mW (+18 dBm) North American version
• Indoor/Urban range: Up to 90m
• Outdoor/RF line-of-sight range: Up to 1.6km
• Operating frequency: 2.4 GHz
• Receiver sensitivity: -100 dBm

Networking

• Spread Spectrum type: DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum)
• Networking topology: Point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, & peer-to-peer
• Error handling: Retries & acknowledgements
• Filtration options: PAN ID, Channel, and 64-bit addresses
• Channel capacity:
• NXTBee: 16 Channels
• NXTBee-PRO: 12 Channels
• Addressing: 65,000 network addresses available for each channel

Highlights

• Fast & long distance wireless communications
• Indoor range of ~90m
• Outdoor range of ~1.6km
• Talk to multiple NXTs and other devices and robots
• Minimal configuration with advanced options for secure and mesh networking

Manual

• User Manual for NXTBee can be found here.
• Technical Specs for XBee can be found here.

Download

• NXTBee Sensor blocks and programming examples here.

Resources

• DI's blog.

Availability

• Available

Price

• MYR329 (Malaysia) / USD109 (Paypal only)
• Purchase / Enquire

Now your robots can know exactly where in the world they are! The Dexter Industries dGPS Sensor provides GPS coordinate information to your robot and calculates navigation information. The sensor provides latitude, longitude, time, speed and heading to your robot. It also has powerful navigational calculators that can be used to navigate to target coordinates.

The Dexter Industries GPS Sensor can be used for any robot that needs to know where it is or where it's going. You can do everything from track road trips on Google Maps to build a satellite-guided robot.

The dGPS hooks directly into any of the four sensor ports on the NXT and can be programmed in NXT-G, RobotC, and Lejos.

Highlights

• Sends GPS coordinates to your robot and calculates navigation information
• Powerful navigational calculators that can be used to navigate to target coordinates
• Hooks directly into NXT sensor ports
• Easy to Program in NXT-G, RobotC, NXC, and Lejos

Download

• dGPS Sensor blocks and programming examples here.
• Instructions for "How to Collect and Upload data Google Maps". View PDF.
  • NXT-G program to Data log. Download.
  • To convert file from data logged to KML path file. Download

Resources

• DI's blog.

Availability

• Available

Price

• MYR369 (Malaysia) / USD125 (Paypal only)
• Purchase / Enquire

dSolar Systems allow you to power your Lego Mindstorms NXT robot using nothing but the sun! This 9V solar power system is designed for the Lego Mindstorms NXT system and includes everything you need to get started.

Easily attach the solar panel to any of your Mindstorms NXT creations. Add more panels as the system gets bigger, or depending on your power needs.

The dSolar 4W System includes one 9V solar panel, providing approximately 500 mA, enough to power the NXT and two motors in direct sunlight. Also includes one dSolar Power Cord and one dSolar NXT Adapter.

Highlights

• Power your system with nothing but the sun!
• Plugs directly into the back of the NXT
• One panel can power up to two motors
• Easy to get setup and be running

Download

• dSolar Sensor blocks and programming examples here.

Resources

• DI's blog.

Availability

• Limited

Price

• MYR399 (Malaysia) / USD139 (Paypal only)
• Purchase / Enquire

Measure bending motions and make robots that mimic you.  dFlex flexible sensor measures angular displacement, or bend, of the sensor.  The sensor bends and flexes with mechanical motion.

Use dFlex to make your robots mimic you and your fingers.  The dFlex can be mounted using mechanical means, Velcro, or 3M medical tape.  The dFlex plugs directly into your NXT and our easy to use software gets you up and running in minutes.

Technical Specifications

• Bend Range: -90 to 180 Degrees
• Granularity: ~ 1 Degree (0 to 180 Degrees)
• Operating Temperature: -35 C to 80 C
• Life Cycle: > 1 Million Bends
• Active Sensing Length: 3.75" (95 mm)
• Cable Length: ~ 2' (60 cm)
• Cable Termination: Male NXT
• Connection Type: Analog

Highlights

• Sensor measures bending motions
• Plugs directly into your NXT sensor ports
• Program in NXT-G, RobotC, or NXC

Download

• dFlex Sensor blocks and programming examples here.

Resources

• DI's blog.

Availability

• Available

Price

• MYR139 (Malaysia) / USD45 (Paypal only)
• Purchase / Enquire

The dPressure is a pressure sensor for the Lego NXT Mindstorms system capable of measuring up to 250 kPa (30 psi) and 500 kPa (70 psi) of pressure and gauge vacuum. The sensor comes with an adapter for Lego Pneumatic lines.

The sensor is easy to use: it plugs directly into the NXT and users can be up and reading pressures in seconds.

These pressure sensors can easily be incorporated into chemistry, engineering, and environmental experiments with NXT-G and Labview.

Technical Specifications
The dPressure sensor comes in two versions:

• The dPressure 250: Vacuum to 250 kPa (30 PSI)
• The dPressure 500: Vacuum to 500 kPa (70 PSI)

Both sensors measure differential pressure and have 1/8" ports.
These analog sensors can measure down to 0.25 kPa (0.04 PSI) in pressure change and has a response time of 1 ms.

Highlights

• Pressure sensor for Mindstorms NXT
• Plugs directly into your NXT sensor ports
• Adapter for Lego Pneumatic kits included
• Widest pressure range: 250 kPa (30 PSI) or 500 kPa (70 PSI)
• Easily incorporated into datalogging experiments in chemistry, physics, and engineering

Download

• dPressure Sensor blocks and programming examples here.

Resources

• Technxt's blog.

Availability

• 30 PSI Rated: Limited
• 70 PSI Rated: Limited

Price

• 30 PSI Rated: MYR129 (Malaysia) / USD43 (Paypal only)
• 70 PSI Rated: MYR149 (Malaysia) / USD49 (Paypal only)
• Purchase / Enquire

dThermal Series by Dexter Industries is a line of temperature sensors for the Lego NXT Mindstorms system.  The sensors offer an increased range of operating temperatures and a high level of accuracy.

These thermal sensors can easily be incorporated into chemistry, engineering, and environmental experiments with NXT-G and Labview.

Protected Thermal Probe
Constructed of 316 stainless steel, this rugged temperature probe is encased in a stainless steel shaft that can be used to measure temperatures in water, organics, ionic solutions, most acids, and bases.

The probe has a 1/4" OD, and is 6" long, making it ideal for most laboratory experiments and sealed distillation experiments.  Solid construction offers superior strain relief.  

Open Thermal Probe
This open thermal probe offers more rapid temperature readings.  The probe is for use on dry surfaces and can be mounted to beakers, distillation columns, and other surfaces using steel bands.

The data line reaches 2 feet for flexibility of setup, and is hooked directly into the NXT.  Solid construction and a rugged design with extra protection offers strain relief and a long lifetime.

Technical Specifications:
Protected Thermal Probe:

• Temperature Operating Range: -50C (-58 F) to 150 C (302 F)
• Accuracy: +/- 0.5 C
• Response Time: 90% in 50 Seconds
• Precision:-50C - 0C +/-1 C
  0C - 50C +/-0.1 C
  50 C - 100C +/- 0.5 C
  100 C - 150 C +/- 2 C

Open Thermal Probe:

• Temperature Operating Range: -50C (-58 F) to 150 C (302 F)
• Accuracy: +/- 0.5 C
• Response Time: 90% in 25 Seconds
• Precision:-50C - 0C +/-1 C
  0C - 50C +/-0.1 C
  50 C - 100C +/- 0.5 C
  100 C - 150 C +/- 2 C

Highlights

• Thermal sensors for Mindstorms NXT
• Plugs directly into your NXT sensor ports.
• Easily programmed in NXT-G, Labview, RobotC
• Widest temperature range: -50C to 150C
• Easily incorporated into datalogging experiments in chemistry, physics, and engineering

Download

• dThermometer Sensor blocks and programming examples here.

Resources

• DI's blog.

Availability

• Open Thermal Probe: Available
• Protected Thermal Probe: Sold Out

Price

• Open Thermal Probe: MYR79 (Malaysia) / USD28 (Paypal only)
• Protected Thermal Probe: MYR119 (Malaysia) / USD39 (Paypal only)
• Purchase / Enquire

NXT PSU allows you to power your Lego Mindstorms NXT designs without using batteries. The NXT PSU was created to fulfill the need of having a regulated power source for a long period of time without the need of constantly swapping batteries.

The NXT PSU is an essential addition for anyone who are building static projects requiring a consistent power source. As the battery becomes weaker, the NXT Motor becomes inconsistent.

It would be especially useful for participants of the recent National Robotics Competition (NRC) or World Robot Olympiad (WRO), where participants in the open category always has stationary display projects.

Developed locally by "During Works" development team. Currently sold exclusively at Building Blocks.

Specifications

• Transformer Power Input: 90-264 V AC ~50/60 Hz
• NXTPSU Output: Regulated 9V DC
• Outer Cover: Made from metal coloured with grey paint

Highlights

• Regulated 9V power source to your NXT
• Transformer accepts multi-voltage (110-240V) power inputs
• Saves you on constantly charging your rechargable batteries

Availability

• Available

Price

• MYR149 (Malaysia) / USD49 (Paypal only)
• Purchase / Enquire