I hope this works!

So...I have an idea for how to design the cam wheels. Hopefully it'll work. 

I have made a series of radial circles and have marked each dividing line with a number which I am using for timing, so when one part of the model does something at this point on this cam, something else will happen at the same point on the other cam.

It's a bit messy but hopefully it'll at least give me some idea of how it will all work. I'm going to make the cams out of cardboard first, rather than cut the wood straight away. I also forgot that the cams are turning anti-clockwise so I need to reverse the cut-outs so they move the right way.

Note to self: get cardboard. 

Ready in time for Christmas?

Well, progress has been kinda slow so I'm not even sure that the model will be ready in time for Xmas. I'll do my best though. Here are some random pics:

I've also redesigned the mechanism a bit and removed the gears and replaced this with a belt drive to sow things down. Next stop, working out where to place the levers and also to make the cams. 

How I wish I had a scroll saw...

Today's news is about the 'views'

1002 views of my blog! Woohoo! I must admit though, having my model featured on Dug North's site increased the traffic a lot. Thanks!

I am currently using Code Avengers to learn HTML and CSS. I have a mock website which features a fake automata business which is online. I hope Google isn't giving many hits of that site as I'd feel bad. However, there is a live link to this blog so I hope people appreciate that at least. 

Work on the model continues. Applying some paint to the Santa figure and have the linkages worked out. Now to work on the elf.

If that made no sense, all will be made clear soon.

Christmas model 2012 update

Below are some pictures of the Christmas model I am making this year. 

I have been experimenting with gear trains but the movement seemed a little too fast. I thought about using another worm gear but remembered how long it took last time and thought I'd experiment with a coiled worm gear (if that's the correct phrase). I got the idea from this website:

http://sidestreet.info/index.html

Specifically this model:

 http://sidestreet.info/automata/billy.html

It seemed so much simpler than carving a gear. Check out the entire gallery, there are some great pieces!

I gave it a go but it still didn't work as planned (actually became a bit too slow!). I removed a gear from the train but it still didn't seem right. I then remembered I had an old wooden worm gear I had carved but this has been too fast for my previous model. I have attached it and hopefully it will be the right speed. 

I have also started carving the figure. I'm really not sure what style to go for. I think I'm still trying to develop my own but am struggling to find something I am happy with. 

Anyway, here are the pics

 The Frame

 A practice set-up I made by attaching it to my desk

 A rough version with the gear train

 A close up with the pin wheel

 The pin wheel and worm before installing

A close up of the work in the frame. I had to carve out a channel in the wood to allow the pins to rotate freely.The problem I found with this gear is that during the rotation, there would be a slight pause where the worm wasn't making contact with the pin wheel which meant there was a pause in the movement, almost like with a ratchet set-up. I didn't want this effect as I wanted smooth continuous movement. it might have been that I hadn't made the gear or the worm as well as I'd hoped, which might have caused the problem.

With the wooden worm I had previously made. I had to made the channel even larger to accommodate the spur gear.I also removed the last gear on the train as it was too slow. I have saved them for another time. This gear allows for continuous movement.

Here are some vids for info:

I also managed to sell my Turtle and Hand Automaton on EBay. I didn't get as much as I had hoped which is the problem with EBay. I think I need to analyse how much my models might actually be worth. I know I haven't made a name for myself yet so in terms of the value of these it might be different for different people. Maybe I shouldn't keep labelling myself as an amateur (even though I have much to learn).

Anyway, I hope the model has gone to a good home (and arrived there safely! I always worry when sending models by post in case they break!)

Improved video and next project

I found out my camera has a HD setting for video. After I made a little set and filmed it, I had a delightful afternoon learning to edit on Movie Maker.

I hope people enjoy this new video as it is better quality.

My last video was featured on Dug North's blog, which was a nice surprise. Thanks Dug!

I also received some nice comments on the Automata/Automaton Facebook group. Check it out if you haven't already!

I've already started on my next model for Christmas. I am using a few gears to slow down the action. It'll hopefully be a model of santa using a whip to encourage an elf to make presents faster. 

I better hurry up. Only 67 sleeps to go until Christmas day.

Done

It only took 2 years on and off but it's done.

:)

Can see the finishing line...

I am almost complete. Check the pics and the vid.

 

The model with a weight I got from a fishing tackle shop. I'm not sure why I didn't think of this sooner instead of spending all that time making my own weights.

 Front view of the gear

Here I had tested using springs but it was still too sharp a reaction. I also realised that I could control all the limbs and the head with one control lever so I now only have one for the head and limbs and another one to operate the hand.

Here is the reduced lever set-up with the weight. I have used a slightly smaller weight as this one was too heavy and not needed (I think - I'll need to add the limbs first and see how they react).

All I need to do now are add the wires for the limbs and make a few cosmetic changes, add a lick of varnish and it'll be done! :)