Help me build my masterpiece
March 1, 2007 3:48 PM Subscribe
I'd like to learn more about gears and design to build a wooden kinetic sculpture.
Unfortunately, my background is not engineering. Is there a design program that comes with an "insert this gear type here" option? Ideally, this program would allow me to see motion. Also, is there an amazing reference book you'd recommend?
Unfortunately, my background is not engineering. Is there a design program that comes with an "insert this gear type here" option? Ideally, this program would allow me to see motion. Also, is there an amazing reference book you'd recommend?
I'd think as a starting point, something like Solidworks might work. I know there is a student version of it, which would be cheaper, and you can probably find some textbooks teach you the engineering stuff you'd need to know.
posted by printdevil at 4:27 PM on March 1, 2007
posted by printdevil at 4:27 PM on March 1, 2007
i haven't tried it, but there is a gears simulator that looks promising.
posted by sergeant sandwich at 4:30 PM on March 1, 2007
posted by sergeant sandwich at 4:30 PM on March 1, 2007
Hi, I can't vouch for the books, only having seen the automata, but the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre sell books on this, a couple of which look to be the sort of thing you're looking for.
posted by calico at 5:45 PM on March 1, 2007
posted by calico at 5:45 PM on March 1, 2007
We used Working Model 2D to model the kinetic sculptures we made in (engineering) college.
posted by olinerd at 5:59 PM on March 1, 2007
posted by olinerd at 5:59 PM on March 1, 2007
Second the David Roy site, his stuff is wonderful.
Books:
"Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook"
Great source, but expensive. I browse my copy at the library.
"Illustrated Sourcebook of Mechanical Components"
Big bucks here as well, but more great browsing.
"Five Hundred and Seven Mechanical Movements"
More great ideas. The illustrations are a little small, but it's affordable.
posted by Marky at 6:17 PM on March 1, 2007
Books:
"Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook"
Great source, but expensive. I browse my copy at the library.
"Illustrated Sourcebook of Mechanical Components"
Big bucks here as well, but more great browsing.
"Five Hundred and Seven Mechanical Movements"
More great ideas. The illustrations are a little small, but it's affordable.
posted by Marky at 6:17 PM on March 1, 2007
Frank Malina, "Kinetic Art: Theory and Practice". An old book from the 70s, you should be able to find a second hand copy easily.
posted by Jabberwocky at 12:14 AM on March 2, 2007
posted by Jabberwocky at 12:14 AM on March 2, 2007
Start by looking at designs that are intended to be executed in wood, rather than metal:
Automata and Mechanical Toys
by Rodney Peppe (ISBN-10 = 1861265107).
It's a good book, has lots of photos, outlines the major types of movement you can achieve, and includes a number of useful tips for the beginner.
One thing you must keep in mind is that wood is not metal. Say that again. And now say it again.
...and keep it in mind every time you see a nifty mechanical movement that you think you'd like to copy. Wood is best for low-speed, wide tolerance, relatively simple assemblies. This is a good thing, because it means they're more easily built by novices and the entire assembly is very forgiving of mistakes.
Fortunately, assembly complexity and operating speed are not correlated to "fun". They may actually be inversely correlated, now that I think of it.
posted by aramaic at 6:16 AM on March 2, 2007
Automata and Mechanical Toys
by Rodney Peppe (ISBN-10 = 1861265107).
It's a good book, has lots of photos, outlines the major types of movement you can achieve, and includes a number of useful tips for the beginner.
One thing you must keep in mind is that wood is not metal. Say that again. And now say it again.
...and keep it in mind every time you see a nifty mechanical movement that you think you'd like to copy. Wood is best for low-speed, wide tolerance, relatively simple assemblies. This is a good thing, because it means they're more easily built by novices and the entire assembly is very forgiving of mistakes.
Fortunately, assembly complexity and operating speed are not correlated to "fun". They may actually be inversely correlated, now that I think of it.
posted by aramaic at 6:16 AM on March 2, 2007
Lego Technic is a cheap way to go for hands on practice.
K'nex too.
You can buy the sets like I do, follow the instructions, to get the general idea, then tear it all down and build your own stuff. I frequently buy lego sets and make ferris wheels with them.
posted by Monkey0nCrack at 7:34 AM on March 2, 2007
K'nex too.
You can buy the sets like I do, follow the instructions, to get the general idea, then tear it all down and build your own stuff. I frequently buy lego sets and make ferris wheels with them.
posted by Monkey0nCrack at 7:34 AM on March 2, 2007
These are great resources, so I'll just give you a rule of thumb - you trade speed for power going from a small gear to a large one (and vice versa). So unless the gears are going to be tiny, keep in mind that a lot of wood can get heavy, so you'll need a decent prime mover (a motor, heavy weight, large windmill, etc).
You can buy some lego gears and axles and experiment with those. Cheap and reliable.
posted by Pastabagel at 7:35 AM on March 2, 2007
You can buy some lego gears and axles and experiment with those. Cheap and reliable.
posted by Pastabagel at 7:35 AM on March 2, 2007
One thing I should have mentioned above: wooden spur gears are a huge pain to cut, and generally suck (a spur gear is what most people think of when they think "gear").
Avoid gearing if possible (you can do a lot with different rods and cams), or use pin gears (and lantern gears) whenever possible. They're a lot easier to make (some drilling, some dowels, and you're done).
posted by aramaic at 7:43 AM on March 2, 2007
Avoid gearing if possible (you can do a lot with different rods and cams), or use pin gears (and lantern gears) whenever possible. They're a lot easier to make (some drilling, some dowels, and you're done).
posted by aramaic at 7:43 AM on March 2, 2007
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posted by blaneyphoto at 4:00 PM on March 1, 2007