Flopping fish automaton

thingiverse

Our project is an automaton using eight cams and a shaft to mimic the motion of a fish out of water. By turning the crank, the shaft will spin the cams (set such that each of the segments of the fish are different heights), and the segments of the fish will have vertical movement in a wave effect that gives the illusion of a flopping fish. All the parts are 3D printed except for the stoppers, which would optimally be tiny rubber bands. A lot of post-processing work is required, but it will be worth it, because you will have your very own automaton that you can fiddle with and watch for hours whenever you want! Dimensions of finished product: This project was a team effort and I couldn't have done it without Amjadkordab, link to his page here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5219976 Something similar to the rubber bands we used: https://www.amazon.com/Orthodontic-Elastics-Grooming-Dreadlocks-Cayenas/dp/B012R2PSVY/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=orthodontic+elastics&qid=1643342558&sr=8-5 Appologies for the pixelated image; it was necessary to reduce the file size.