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Thread: New Project WIP

  1. #1
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    Default New Project WIP

    Automata could be described as a meaningless moving construction, a toy, a curiosity, mechanical theatre, an entertainment, and, as I see my work, kinetic art - art which has movement. What they all have in common is the use of mechanical devices such as gears, levers, springs, pulleys, pin wheels, cams, weights, racks and so on to create a scene which moves when a handle is cranked.
    An ex cabinetmaker, not an engineer, I wanted to to convey something to the viewer by the creation of a scene, made from wood, so, in my case, an experiment.
    I would like to present this WIP without explanation of its concept even after completion. I see it is a failure if it requires explanation. An explained joke is no longer humorous.
    The beginning was the carving of the characters, seen in the attached photo. They were carved using rotary tools from Huon Pine. The central character is a businessman, 150mm high, followed by the male and female legs 45mm high. As the idea developed, the dog, grim reaper, later the red devil holding a wad of $100 notes. Since I don't really know what I am doing with mechanics, over a period of ten or so weeks I constructed a prototype which actually worked, but I think I have less hair. I have attached a photo of all the bits and pieces which had to be junked because they didn't do what I was hoping for. Hope, I have discovered is an effective motivator in the making of automata. The prototype is a mess of relocated pivots, screws, revised gears etc. and engines, but the theory succeeded.
    Now I am constructing the "real thing", and would like to share this with anyone so inclined to see the process. The third photo shows the main drive gear, some camshaft connectors, and some gear supports and a cam.
    Thanks for watching,
    Gus

    Junked gears etc.jpgFigures.jpgFirst photos.jpg

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  3. #2
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    Gus,

    This is going to be great to watch. I am glad you got this section into the Forum.

    Really Good Stuff

    Keith

  4. #3
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    Watching with interest. Looks good so far
    Those were the droids I was looking for.
    https://autoblastgates.com.au

  5. #4
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    I too will pull up a chair to watch the progress.

  6. #5
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    damn, Christos pinched my chair!

    watching with interest
    regards
    Nick
    veni, vidi,
    tornavi
    Without wood it's just ...

  7. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker View Post
    damn, Christos pinched my chair!.....

    You can have this one, I'll move to the other side of the room next to NCArcher

  8. #7
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    Default Rotary to Linear

    Linear mechanism assembled.jpgRack.jpgOlive & arm.jpgConverter.jpgThe major "engine" of this project is the mechanism which converts rotary motion to linear. The central character moves 250mm from one location to another, pausing at each place. The conversion happens via pin wheels at 90º to each other. Attached to the output wheel is a hollow olive shaped arm, connected to a lever. The pause is achieved by that olive travelling on while the lever is idling. The carriage, at the top, is attached to a small drawer slide, moved by another pin wheel, running along a rack, top and bottom.
    The automata has two distinct parts, the "engine" and the "stage". I am constructing each element as a separate mechanism, eventually connected to create the intended movements.
    The rectangular box is 19mm Rock Maple veneered ply, 800mm wide, 300mm high and 250mm deep. Other materials are mostly marine ply, Maple and pine. Gears and pin wheels are cut on a scroll saw. I use a free gear generator program, from woodgears.ca from which a printed gear is glued to the blanks. After cutting the teeth, I sand each one on a constructed setup with abrasive discs glued to each side. Hand sanding to finish, pivot points or bearings are attached. Pin wheels use store bought dowels, cut to size and glued into drilled holes. After many attempts to make things do what I want, there is quite a background of producing gears which were never used. Grist for the mill, good experience. Apart from simple calculations, eg, what diameter gears do I need to turn the output gear at say half speed. Beyond those, I have no idea about gear ratios and what will do things I want. Hence the experimental nature of the project.
    Next will be the crankshaft.
    Thanks for looking,
    Gus

    Attachment 345019

    Attachment 345021

    Attachment 345022

    Attachment 345023

    Attachment 345024

  9. #8
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    Hi Gus,

    Looks really good. Keep it coming.

    Keith

  10. #9
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    Default Crankshaft

    IMG_0235.mp4Attachment 345321Rainy days seem to be here for good in Sydney, really good for workshop progress ! The crankshaft is the main generator of all the movement. The main drive gear connects to the handle through a small gear, not shown in the photo.
    The actuators on the crankshaft are;
    - Main drive gear
    - Male leg cam
    - Linear drive gear
    - Support post
    - Turn cam
    - Red devil clock cam
    - Turn cam
    - Female leg cam

    Attachment 345319

    The shaft is store bought 9/16" Tasmanian Oak dowel, (which is sold as 12mm) and is oval rather than round. I made a simple tool to reduce it to 12mm and make it round. The support posts have bearings to aid smooth and resistance free action. Due to its length, there is a bit of lash at the end, but seems not affect the movement.
    The video shows the movement, the carriage for the main character is now in place. Next is the leg movement actuators and the "stage" above.
    Thanks for looking,
    Gus

    Attachment 345320

  11. #10
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    wheelin in feet up cuppa in hand

  12. #11
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    Watching, very interesting.
    There ain't no devil, it's just god when he's drunk!!

    Tom Waits

  13. #12
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    Default Attachments

    Apparently the video and photo can't be opened. Posting them again, fingers crossed. Video is MP4, may download to your player first.

    IMG_0235.mp4Crankshaft.jpg

  14. #13
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    Nice fluid movement. Looking forward to the next installment.
    Those were the droids I was looking for.
    https://autoblastgates.com.au

  15. #14
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    I was going to disagree with Tony and say this is a nice fluid movement but I have to agree his comment is correct

  16. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by xpro View Post
    Apparently the video and photo can't be opened. Posting them again, fingers crossed. Video is MP4, may download to your player first.

    IMG_0235.mp4Crankshaft.jpg
    Thanks Gus,

    That is now spot on. Your work is fantastic (and spot on). I love this stuff. Do a loco next

    Good on you for getting Automata on the Forum.

    Thanks again

    Keith

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