Tamiya 70217 Flywheel Car Kit - Hands-on STEM Project  [70217]

Tamiya Flywheel Car Kit: Practical STEM Project

The Tamiya 70217 Flywheel Car Assembly Kit blends hands-on learning with hobby fun, making mechanical principles tangible for beginners and young engineers. As part of Tamiya's STEM range, this friction-driven model lets users observe motion and energy transfer in a compact build.

Visible Drive and Motion

The kit includes a transparent drive unit that exposes the metal flywheel so you can see how kinetic energy is stored and released. The flywheel will typically propel the car for about 20 meters, which equates to roughly 35 seconds of travel, illustrating motion and energy conversion in a clear way.

Cam-Based Path Control

Movement patterns are altered using the supplied interchangeable cam parts. Zigzag and figure of eight cams are included, plus an extra cam that can be adapted for custom paths. These options encourage experimentation with mechanical timing and steering behaviour.

Build and Setup

The assembly uses snap-fit parts alongside some screws, so no cement is required and younger builders can take part with minimal supervision. The front wheel has a lock feature for straight-line runs, adding a useful test option during experiments.