Hand-cranked paper bellows bird call project by Rob Ives

Here's another great mechanical paper design by Rob Ives called the "Twitterer Type 3". This one really sounds like a tweeting bird!

From the project page:

In the previous blog post I showed a design for a crank driven bellows to be used at the heart of a bird box project. I have taken that basic design and made it more sturdy. I liked the way the bellows in the previous model were completely visible so I've fitted the crank to the inside of a box but kept the bellows on a pair of slide rails outside the box. You can see the result in animated action on Instagram by clicking the picture to the left.

If you are a Member of Rob's site, you can download the parts to make this project. An annual membership to Rob's site, which provides access to LOT of amazing paper projects, is $14.95 per year. Here is where you can see the step-by-step instructions for the Twitterer Type 3.

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"Topsy Curvy" automaton by Thomas Kuntz

Check out this new limited edition automaton by Thomas Kuntz titled "Topsy Curvy". Though it's a simple one compared to much of his work, the sculpting is -- as always -- second to none. As the description says, the peice "embodies the sensibilities of the surreal and the noir".

See more automata by Thomas Kuntz on his web site.

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The Wounded Child - Wall-mounted automaton by Paul Nitsche

Check out his beautifully executed wall mounted automaton by Paul Nitsche. titled The Wounded Child. The end of the video features some tantalizing still photos of the creation process and internal mechanism.

Here is where you can see more work by Paul Nitsche.

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The Mission - a contemporary automaton by Paul Spooner

Check out this wonderful piece by Paul Spooner which may be seen in the special exhibition at the Paul Gugelmann-Museum in Schönenwerd, Switzerland from May 31st to July 6th, 2014.

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Children's drawings and basic materials used to create lively automaton

This charming automaton was made out of drawings by children. The paper drawings were mounted on to a thicker bristol board or foam-core and given wire pivots. All were then mounted to a common crank shaft. A quick and effective process with a nice final product.

Here is where you can see many more in-process photos of the paper anniversary automaton.

[ Thanks Tom! ]

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Laser-cut marble machine kit with a catapult lifting arm

Check out this nifty little marble machine kit from the folks at RetroTime. The most unique feature of this little marble track is the arm that lifts the ball bearings to the top of the run. A geared hand-crank powers a small arm, something like one you might see on a catapult. No, it doesn't throw the ball bearing. (Sorry, if I gave you the wrong idea.) It simply places the steel ball at the top of the track with a smooth motion. It looks as if you can effortlessly keep marbles flowing down the track at more that one per second. It creates a nice rhythmic motion and sound that I find soothing.

The kit includes laser cut wood components, steel balls, a screw pack, sandpaper and wood glue. The product page for the kit also features a nice tutorial video.

Here is where you can get this laser-cut marble machine kit.

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Get the "thumbs up" for any achievement with the turn of a hand-crank

Back in September, we had a sneak peek at the prototype of Brad Litwin's new MechaniCard titled Thumbs Up. The final version is done and here's the video to prove it. It looks even better with the final artwork.

Who would think that from a flat surface, a hand could rise, curl its fingers, and then raise its thumb -- all from the turn of a small hand crank? The mechanism is gorgeous, compact, and full of interesting components: gears, pulleys, belts, springs, strings, hinges, pivots, slides, and linkages. This one is shown with the optional display base.

Have you done something good lately? Do you know someone else who has accomplished something worthwhile? They deserve one of these.

Here is where you can see the full line of MechaniCards.

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A Carrion Crow with his eye on someone's finger

Yet another clever automaton from Paul Spooner. This piece, titled A Carrion Crow with his eye on someone's finger, has been produced as an edition of 4 only. This one is highly interactive, as the finger in question is YOURS.
http://www.cabaret.co.uk/categories/new-products/

Here is where you can learn more about Paul Spooner's automaton A Carrion Crow with his eye on someone's finger.

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Wolf in sheep's clothing automaton with crank

I'm not entirely sure what I'm looking at here -- a wolf in sheep's clothing, perhaps? It certainly is a nicely made crank mechanism driving the whole thing!

[ Thanks Julia! ]

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Cams & Cranks toy - 5 models and some physics

A few days ago I pointed out Engino Mechanical Science's Gear toy. I should also mention that they have a whole line of machine-based toys. One of those toys -- Cams & Cranks -- is shown here.

From the cams and cranks toy description:

Learn how you can transmit power using Cams and Cranks are how these can be used to convert reciprocal to linear motion. Build 5 models including an oil drill, a flying eagle, a crane and a moving figure. A 36 page activity book is included with innovative experiments and detailed explanation of the different technological principles applied! Booklet with detailed building instructions also included.

Other sets in this toy line include: pulleys, linkages, levers, wheels, gears, screws and even the incline plane. That's a comprehensive eduction in basic machines in toy form!

Here's a link the entire line of mechanical physics toys by Engino.

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Need a creepy Halloween prop AND work of art?

Looking for the perfect Halloween decoration that can double as a work of art the rest of the year? Well, I suggest you consider the ideal solution: Nick Rayburn's gorgeous creation, The Waiting Hand, a limited edition of 20.

If you would like more information or would like to discuss acquiring a piece you can send an email to: nickrayburn at sky dot com.

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The Dear Park Aqua Pod Rocket automaton

Check out this new hand-cranked automaton by Jim Kransberger located in Asheville, NC. The piece measures 16 inches high and incorporates some found objects like the crank from an old hand drill. When cranked the wheels turn, the driver's hair blows up and down, and the pusher's legs run.

See more automata by Kim Kransberger on his web site.

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Classic marble-lifter mechanism in wood

Here is a nice example of a common marble-lifting device sometimes used in marble track machines. It's cool to see how a few cams, sloped surfaces, and continuous rotary motion can be combined to make marbles climb stairs. This one was made and sent in by reader Richard Thorne.

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Canoeing Man Wood Automaton

Here is a wood automaton of a man in a canoe by Stuart Chalmers. You can see that the mechanism is made up of just a crank shaft. It's hard to make out, but the crank arms are shaped like fish.

I very much like the use of contrasting woods for the mechanism and the box.

You can see a few other automata by Stuart Chalmers on his web site.

[ Thanks Falk! ]