Animatronic Beating Heart Box

thingiverse

I was working on some projects in the garage when my 10-year-old niece came over for a visit, eager to see what I had been up to. She took a keen interest in my latest endeavors and asked if she could take a closer look at Fusion 360. I happily agreed, excited to share my passion with her. She started by creating a simple heart shape, spending about 15 minutes on the design before we ran out of time. Determined to make something special for her, I decided to finish her project and turn it into a beautiful jewelry box. I added some extra details to make it functional and practical. As I worked on adding three-dimensional elements to her original drawing, I had an idea to incorporate electronics into the design, making it truly one-of-a-kind. A heartbeat function with a small motor seemed like the perfect addition, along with some sentimental wording that would add a personal touch. To contain all of the electronics within the lid, I designed the box to have as much room as possible for this unique feature. First, I sized up the battery pack and motor to ensure there was enough space for the main components. A basic cam/motor design gave me the correct linear actuation for a smooth heartbeat. For the user interface, I created a button system using a latching push button and a small heart-shaped cover that protruded from the top left of the lid face. From initial assembly drawings to the final printed prototype, there was only one issue: the inner lid collar was too wide, causing the lid top to bind. Taking off 12mm from the published version did the trick, resulting in a smooth and seamless operation. After taking some photos and writing up a submission for Thingiverse.com, I was ready to present her with the first working prototype. Her reaction was priceless – she beamed with pride knowing that she had created something one-of-a-kind, inspired by her own imagination. It was also a moment of pure joy for me to share this experience with my niece and see her enthusiasm for engineering grow. If she keeps showing such interest in this field, I predict she'll surpass even my skills in no time!