Difference Engine v2.0

thingiverse

The Difference Engine, designed by Babbage, calculates polynomials. Check out this animation on YouTube. This version, based on item 7609, is incomplete and not compatible with the original. Missing parts include the Carry Mechanism, Timing/Lift Mechanism, detents for wheels to prevent unwanted rotation, and thrust bearings. Components currently available are indicated in bold, while those that don't exist yet are in italics. A Difference Engine with n columns can solve polynomials up to (n-1)th degree. Customizations include adjusting the tab offsets for proper plate fitting. For each column, you need two Lego Technic axles and one of each specific part, except for two Thrust Bearings per column. Assembly instructions involve connecting the bottom plates, attaching lift plates to the axles, inserting the axles into the bottom plates, adding thrust bearings and bearing plates, sliding sector wheels and figure wheels onto their respective axles, and pressing restore arms into place.