Horse racing automaton powered by heat from a brewing teapot

Check out this clever automaton by Jo Fairfax in which three horses race around a track. The entire thing is powered by the heat rising from a teapot that has been filed with hot water.

See more work by Jo Fairfax on his web site.

[ Thanks Lorenzo! ]

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Spring-driven kinetic sculpture that operates for 15 hours on one winding

Here is another graceful and compelling wall-mounted kinetic sculpture by David C. Roy. This one is titled Variation II Wave.

From the artist's web site:

Variation II Wave is the result of applying what I've learned mechanically to the Variation concept. The mechanism is a single spring drive that delivers about 15 hours of run time. Part of the efficiency is due to a better use of bearings and part to how the mechanism itself is balanced.

Here is where you can learn more about Variation II Wave by David C. Roy.

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Engino multidimensional construction system teaches about screws and other simple machines

The Engino Toy System uses a variety of uniquely designed multifaceted rods and connectors that may be connected on up to 6 sides at the same time. I've posts in the past about their educational sets focusing on gears, cams, linkages and pulleys. The one shown here teaches all about screws including how worm gears are used to greatly lower rotational speed, and how screws can convert circular to linear motion while greatly increasing torque. Valuable lessons indeed for anyone trying to get their head around simple machines.

The 40 page instruction/activity book show you how to build 5 working models including a screw press, a lift platform, two types of crane, and a vice -- all examples of the screw in everyday use. The activity book also includes explanations of various technical and scientific principles and how they apply to the screw.

Here is where you can get the Engino Mechanical Science's boxed lesson set on Screws.

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