Back to the point of this thread , i am hoping to post a connector design and a 90degree adaptor in the next few days subject to a check up that its all scaled correctly etc etc 
You are quite right, Giorginetto, some of us have strayed from answering Richard's original challenge:
STECK DESIGNER WANTED
We would like to find someone who can revamp Playmobil's SystemX and Steck Systems so that they work together and work better!
This new "combination" system needs to be mathematically logical like Lego only all Playmobil.
Do we have any members here at Playmofriends that can do this? The preliminary design will be presented in Zirndorf in about six weeks!
In thinking about this challenge some questions arise:
- Why do Steck and SystemX have to "work together?" That implies a set of connector pieces that would allow mixing of the two systems. Personally, I think that it would be great to have these connector pieces, but I think the larger issue is that the two sets are less than compatible when it comes to color and style. The ability to order both Steck and SystemX pieces in additional colors would allow structures from the two systems to stand side by side with more success.
- Why does the entire system need to be "mathematically logical like LEGO?" While LEGO is based upon the brick unit, there are hundreds (thousands?) of LEGO building pieces that are highly specialized and not universal - even the bricks are not 100% universal, something that people discover when they build their own designs. Both Steck and SystemX may have limitations, but they both possess their own internal logic. I believe that many of the limitations of the two systems could be resolved by adding new pieces (and colors) rather than by creating a totally new system.
- How do we make Steck and SystemX "work better?" Again, the answer is to develop new parts that solve the problems which arise when people try to execute their own designs. A great number of such pieces have already been identified by folks who make their own building designs - we just need a way to communicate the specifications of those pieces to Playmobil and secure their commitment to producing them. A few examples would be:
- Steck/SystemX connectors
- 4-way connectors with various combinations of tab edges and slot edges (i.e. male/female
) - pieces to allow wider structures and taller structures
- filler pieces for SystemX holes
- If a whole new system were to be developed, will it really be compatible with Steck and SystemX? If not, then there should be a commitment to make Steck and SystemX parts available since there are so many Playmobil customers who have already invested in Steck and SystemX.
