Turning a hobby into a job
If, as a small boy, you were already crazy about model making, building bricks and electronics, the logical step is to turn your childhood hobbies into adult hobbies - and a career. Alexander Ehle from Stuttgart is now a master when it comes to illuminating models made of building bricks. But this is anything but child's play! This is delicate, modern electronic engineering at the heart of brightly coloured functional models made of small, timeless plastic bricks. In addition to steady hands and an inventive turn of mind, he needs various small and medium-sized tweezers and pliers for his work. We spent some time with him in his workshop.
Brave new world
Ehle's grandfather was a radio and television technician for the US troops in Stuttgart - and even back then, little Alexander was so taken with modern hi-fi systems and their inner workings in his granddad's workshop that he ended up in the measurement and control technology business after basic training in mechanical engineering. He now supports customers in creating web-based, workflow-supporting platforms based on Intrexx portal software. At the same time he also remains true to his roots. In 2013 he unearthed his old collection of building bricks from the basement and started to electrify the models and panoramas he built from 2016 onwards. At that time the options available were still relatively "crude", but now everything is miniaturised in the form of SMDs (Surface Mount Devices). This compact design allows him to incorporate LEDs and electronics into the small model structures.
Perfect planning and implementation
The approach is always the same: Ehle finds a model to illuminate, or he specifically selects models that have a certain affinity with lighting. Which effects, such as flashing or flickering, should be used? What is the installation situation, i.e. which LEDs are to be used and where are they to be installed? One of the biggest challenges: How can cables be incorporated as invisibly as possible? Once everything has been thought through, Ehle produces the light sources, solders the LEDs, cables and sockets together and plans the power supply and control electronics for any effects. Once he is sure that everything is working, installation can begin!
Professional tools for delicate tasks
At home he has a separate, well-equipped work room for the most delicate tasks. All additional components are stored in a room in the basement. As all the models are small, precision works of art that also have a promotional function at trade fairs and exhibitions, as well as on the Internet, Ehle only uses high-quality tools. Pliers and tweezers are his most important tools, as well as the soldering station. Ehle is not just concerned with precision, but also with longevity. Tools from KNIPEX are part of his standard kit. He acquired some of them 30 years ago during his time as an apprentice. Precision diagonal cutters are indispensable, especially for small cables. When soldering SMDs, he uses self-closing tweezers, which he describes as a key aid to his work.
Components from all over the world
With a steady hand, Alexander Ehle shows us how he builds the miniature electronics into the tiny models and dioramas. He holds tiny components with the cross-over tweezers and carefully lets the solder flow. He bends back the connections neatly with the flat nose pliers and cuts the thin wires with the diagonal cutters. The smells are familiar to him from his grandfather's radio and television workshop. He obtains the components from model shops, electronics shops and directly from the manufacturers. A lot of things that are difficult to obtain on the European market (such as coloured heat shrink tubing in 0.8 mm) and most of the LEDs come from China.
Exchanging experiences and ideas
The results are impressive. What we see here has nothing to do with children's toys - these are models for grown-ups. Trains light up the tracks up ahead, apartment buildings look completely lifelike, aeroplanes take off at night and Han Solo lands the Millennium Falcon. As if by magic, lifeless plastic bricks become a cinematic scene!
Ehle cautiously describes himself as a "nerd", but nonetheless has plenty to say for himself. He shares his knowledge and experience in pictures and texts with the outside world as the author of various books and articles. He is a member of "Schwabenstein 2x4 e.V" (Germany's first non-profit building brick association) and is happy to help other building brick fans with their projects. When he's out and about, he always carries his KNIPEX tool set and a few components with him.
Optimistic about the future
Time is the only limiting element. Ehle is currently working on the English edition of his book and hopes to be able to present his work to the public again soon. The opportunity to see the wonder in the eyes of children and adults is one of the reasons why he still pursues the hobbies of his childhood and has made them a second job. You could call it his vocation.
Here is the link to Alexander Ehle's website.