2 Attachment(s)
New Project "The Politician"
Greetings to all, with the hope that no one has been affected by the virus which seems to lurk around every corner.
A politician, standing as they do in front of flags carefully arranged, an expensive fituout, and a suitably
large, imposing lectern, is holding forth. As they do. The figure will be 800mm tall. The work began with the head, which will eventually have eyes which move side to side and up /down, will turn and nod, the arms will gesticulate, and the body will turn and bow. That is, IF I can figure out how to do all that !
The head began as a 90mm sq block of Huon Pine, was 28 hours in the carving vice.
Attachment 475276
The interior is carved out to receive the eye movement mechanism
Attachment 475277
The mechanism for the moving eyes follows, probably as a prototype, unless I get lucky with construction.
Thanks for looking,
Regards,
Gus
5 Attachment(s)
WIP "The Politician Eyes Mechanism
The eye mechanism is complete, bar some final adjustments, 55 hours including three rejects, all learning experiments.
The front viewAttachment 476255
Mechanism,Attachment 476256
The rear, showing the cables and connecting barAttachment 476257
Installed inside the head,Attachment 476258
A short video of how it works, not cam controlled yet, just by hand. The eyes need a bit of adjustment, the character is a little cross eyed. Maybe I leave them, there are a few cross eyed politicians..
Attachment 476259
Thanks for looking,
Regards,
Gus
2 Attachment(s)
WIP "The Politician" - The Engine
Having decided that the automaton must be in fully working condition prior to handing it over for dressing, I have continued with the build.
The crankshaft since the photo was taken has been replaced by a larger dia brass tube. The previous 6mm couldn't handle the torsion applied by the motor. I mark and cut the cams in pairs, one each side of the centre support. As the load increased with each two addition, it also became obvious that the motor struggled. At six cams, the need for more power became clear. A very supportive member, Poundy, kindly offered some motors he had to experiment with, an offer "too good to refuse". Due to cataract operation, I have yet to progress with that.
This photo shows the blank cams and the motor. A set of worm gears reduce the RPM from 55 to 68 seconds, perfect speed for what I imagine is ideal for the sequence. That, of course, is subject to revision, once the right motor is found.
Attachment 479220
The "engine". Cams, motor housing and the cam followers. The whole assembly can be removed in one piece, the cam followers can be removed individually, and the cable attachments are adjustable for fine tension alterations. A new motor will probably require scrapping this whole "engine". But, that is the nature of making automata, and are for me the most satisfying aspects. Must be a personality flaw....
Attachment 479221
Thanks for watching,
Regards,
Gus
Be Safe !