Gyarados Automaton

thingiverse

This automaton design consists of two pairs of Pokemon! characters moving up and down via the crank of ovular cams to invoke the illusion of them “swimming”. The pair of Gyarados’ “swim” away from each other as the Magikarps pop up and down next to them. A water piece covers the poles that hold the Pókemon pieces to add scenery to the automaton and perceive the Magikarp and Gyarados swimming in water. To make sure each Gyarados is seen when each piece is moving, one figure is behind the other and each respective cam shaft is in completely opposite positions, so as one piece goes up, the other goes down. Designed in a rectangular prism shape, a 20cm long cam shaft runs through the 10x7 long side pieces, each with “PokeBall” designs on the outside. The shaft is about 3.5cm above the ground and holds 14 cams(12 circular and 2 ovular), each about 5cm in diameter. The automaton is about 18cmx7cmx11cm, not including the 22cm cam shaft. The box design is perfect for a compact and efficient structure that doesn’t leave unnecessary space or wasted filament. Each piece that shapes the box is tightly connected to each other and snap on like puzzle pieces. The top of the box contains 14 square cuts in position for each respective pole to fit loosely into. Additionally, the bottom of each cut contains an extended cover to prevent each pole from falling out of position while the cams are rotating. The 14 poles each fit tightly to their respective pieces that produce the Gyarados or Magikarp. The poles are either one of three different lengths: 7cm, 6.5cm, and 6cm, each to give different heights to each Magikarp/Gyarados piece and follow their position on the cams. Once assembled together, the Gyrados will produce a swimming motion in and out of the water while the Magikarps will pop out of the water alongside them. Truly an astonishing and creative design, my partner Jacob and I worked thoroughly on our project and look forward to seeing other versions!