Machine with 14 Scraps of PLA

thingiverse

A kinetic sculpture inspired by Arthur Ganson's "Machine with 23 Scraps of Paper". This 14-scrap-of-PLA-sculpture is in motion, consisting of 14 scraps and associated mechanisms to make it all move. The design is modular, where each individual bird, bird support, and base piece can be clipped together to form chains or side-by-side configurations. Each row of birds has its own motor-driven cams powered by a hex shaft. The modular sections are connected with removable clips that allow for servicing when needed. In the current configuration, the birds are attached to the support shaft using glue; however, a future revision might include making these connections removable as well. View a video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Twi8_Yn4voE Assembling this kinetic sculpture requires some effort. "combined" parts sets can be used to print all parts for the gearbox, support, wings, and extras at once. Use the "assembly.skp" file as a reference for part assembly. Post-Printing Instructions Assembly Notes: The components are designed to fit together snugly, making them a tight press-fit connection. A small set of files, an X-Acto knife, and a jewelry pin vise are recommended for assembling the parts. When filing bridged areas that come into contact with bearings, be sure to file any drooping sections, as they can create friction on the bearing. If the 2-piece hex shaft couplers pop off during assembly, there's likely too much friction in the row of cams driven by the hex shafts or binding in the metal tube vertical supports. Check and clean up these areas for smooth motion. Use a hand crank to test the hex shaft without a motor; this can help you check for any sticking parts or rough spots that need to be filed out or oiled. Before assembly, apply a small amount of glue (cyanoacrylate or Insta-Set) to the wing support and wing coupler pieces. For extra stability, some metal tubing may also require gluing. Some necessary components not printed: Bird shaft supports: aluminum tube, brass tube, music wire, and another type of music wire for wings. The required motors are the 30 RPM 6V variety; use one motor per row of birds, which can be found here. The power supply used is a 5V 1Amp supply with a current draw of 200ma. For added light effects, consider using LEDs, which are also available online: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004UZ3WBU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00.