Triaxial Tourbillon Clock (Astronomia)

thingiverse

Here is my latest project in amateur plastic horology. This clock is based on the mechanism of the Jacobs & Co. Astronomia mechanical watch. Since I lack the mid six figures of disposable income for the watch, I decided to use about $15 dollars of plastic and bearings to build my own instead. It joins the expanding list of multi-axis tourbillon mechanisms on Thingiverse: Based on the Vianney Halter Deep Space: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1624844 https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2901179 Based on Jaeger Lecoultre Gyrotourbillon: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2820444 Based on Thomas Prescher's designs: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2761730 Basically, it's schtick is that both the clock face and the triple-axis tourbillon orbit the base with the clock face remaining vertically aligned the entire time. I simplified the mechanism found in the watch a little, but it achieves the same result. I also adjusted the timing of the tourbillon to 1,3, and 10 minutes on each axis so that it appears more animated. The clock also features a differential-style winding drum and a movable ring to adjust the time. Run time is about 1.5 hours using a 3kg weight (far less run time and far more weight than most of my mechanisms, but driving that massive carrier takes a lot of power). Though I've tried to give this design more of a "finished" look, it is by no means perfect. The clock face outweighs the tourbillon still even after switching to lighter bearings, and accuracy is not the greatest. I view it as more of kinetic sculpture than a precise time keeper. The usual warnings about tolerances and elephant footing for intricate mechanical parts apply here doubly. See it in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubW31kDXExY Just the tourbillon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1CfVDa6xGI I think I uploaded all of the files on here. There was some difficulty involving changing computers twice and a cross-country move that precluded my posting them earlier. The last photo is my first working prototype after said cross-country move in a hot station wagon. Non-printed materials are: -16mm long 2mm diameter dowel pins (all shafts except two) -2mm shaft stock (tourbillon main axis and intermediate tourbillon gear) -608 bearings -16x8x5mm bearings (I subbed 3 of the 608s with these and plastic adapters so that it isn't quite as unbalanced) -28x12x8mm bearings -string -3kg weight