Automata

how to build an automata

You will need a sketch of the automata, square, tape measure, 3 tennis ball containers, 3 water bottles, scissors, saw, pliers, wire, wire cutters, hole saw drill bit, circle compass, glue, 1/4in. wooden dowl, cardboard

Draft the detailed plans for your automata

Using the tennis ball container as a template trace out 12 circles

After tracing the circles cut them out

Next, take 2 circles, and glue them together for thickness and durability. repeat this process with the rest of the circles.

Find the center point of the circles by using the tape measure and square

Cut a 10" by 6" section of the box off to form the frame/block for your automata

Cut 2 6" squares out of the cardboard by measuring it marking it with the square and tape measure. The squares will be used as bearing supports

Cut off the top of the tennis ball container to make the cylinder using a utility knife

Using the dowel as a template wrap an 8" piece of wire twice around the dowel to create a loop, then wrap the rest of the wire around the dowel, create 3 of these

Hot glue the wire to the dowel to secure it repeat this process until all 3 connecting rods are finished.

Using the drill and hole saw make three holes each an inch apart from each other in the block/box for the cylinders. Install the reinforcing cardboard squares/bearing supports you made earlier in between the holes and hot glue them in place.

Glue the dowels into the circles and put the wire loop on the center dowl before putting the next circle on to assemble the crankshaft. Assemble 3 of these, connect them together with dowels in the block/box.

Glue the water bottles cap down to the wooden dowels/connecting rods. then glue the cylinders to the frame with a couple drops of glue

Make a crank by cutting out a circle made of cardboard and gluing a piece of the dowel to it.

Make a pully system by cutting out two cardboard circles and attach them to the frame using a couple of pieces of the dowel and some hot glue. when you're finished, add the rubber band as a drive belt. your automata is now complete