Simple Cam Automaton

Spinning Round

Quite some time ago, I went to The MAD (Mechanical Art and Design) Museum in Stratford-upon-Avon. It displays a wonderful variety of automata. In it’s shop there is a range of kits to have a go yourself.

I bought a “Timberkits” Cams set which provides all the parts needed to make four automata. An instruction book is provided and it shows how the different shaped cams can create different movements. The kits make up the mechanisms but it it’s left to you to add extra materials for the model you want to move. The booklet provided makes some simple suggestions.

The rod with the flag has the simple round cam at the base of it. You’ll notice that it has the hole in the centre. This means that when the handle is turned the Friction wheel ( in the middle of rod that has the handle attached), turns the cam round and it makes the rod spin round and round.

Hopefully you recognise the figure in this animation from January’s Blog. The main difference is that the face has been covered in “Egg shell” coloured felting wool. There is still a lot of work to be done. Next month, I hope to have combined this figure with the simple cam mechanism.

I hope February is good to you. Enjoy Valentine’s day. I shall with my gorgeous husband. Thank you for reading my blog. I hope to speak to you in March.