Wood automaton kits by Keith Newstead and Walter Ruffler

The good folks over at Mechanical Kits let me know that they have a beautiful new web site and some great new offerings. Among the many mechanical kits to choose from is a line from Model Shops which features designs by the well-know automaton-artists Keith Newstead and Walter Ruffler. Some of these look like paper automaton designs that have been given a major upgrade to wood. These kits do not require tools or glue. Best of all, they come with links to incredibly clear video instructions. I don't think they could make it any easier to build your own autoamta!

Here is where you can get Model Shops automata kits by Keith Newstead and Walter Ruffler.

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Laser-cut Donkey Kong automaton by Martin Raynsford

You may recall the amazing mechanical version of the Donkey Kong arcade game I posted about a while back. Here's a simpler, fun project by the same creator, Marin Raynsford. As you can see from the video, the essence of the classic arcade game Donkey Kong has been represented as a contemporary automaton.

From Martin's web site:

The main drive mechanism is provided by the laser cut bike chain, barrels roll round the girder as if thrown by Donkey Kong. A cam and follower make Mario jump up and down in the appropriate places. I got the gear ratio slightly confused and made my second gear twice as big as need be so I duplicated the jump pattern on both halves of the gear. It was a fun little project and I learnt a lot about what not to do on future projects.

Love the wooden chain and sprockets!

See more detailed in-progress photos of the Donkey Kong automaton on Martin Rynsford's web site.

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Wood harmonograph drawing machine uses gravity to create amazing patterned drawings

Joe Freedman at LEAFpdx has done it again. Check out his gravity-powered drawing machine! Dubbed the 'GatorGraph Drawing Machine', it uses laser and CNC cut wood parts and a couple of recycled 1 liter bottles to do its thing.

From the project description:

The power for the GatorGraph is provided by four 1-liter plastic bottles (not included) on a swinging pendulum. As they move back and forth the Gators produce what are called Lissajous curves. Where a Spirograph is bounded by a circle, the Lissajous curves are bounded by a rectangle. Changing the length of the pendulum alters the type of curve. The shape of the curve can be modified by using different hole positions on the rods.

Once assembled and set in motion, it is mesmerizing to watch. Better still, it creates amazing drawings! They expect to produce the first run in time for Christmas. Can you think of a better gift? I can't. Joe's products are always made with the best materials, fine craftsmanship, and incredible attention to detail.

Here is where you can support the project and get your own GatorGraph Drawing Machine.

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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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Fritz, the open source robotic head, reaches $41,000 dollars in funding on Kickstarter!

Kerwin Lumpkins has a startup company that recently had a robotic head project on Kickstarter. As you will see in the video, Fritz is a robotic puppet head that you can control with an easy to use computer application. The advanced version has moving eyes, jaw, eyelids, eyebrows, and neck.

From the company web site:

Fritz is an animatronic puppet that is controlled by an Arduino microcontroller. Fritz was created to provide an inexpensive introduction into robotics that is both entertaining, creative and educational. With an open source directive, Fritz is accompanied by a PC application to provide you with an easy to use interface in customizing and interacting with the project mechanics.

The project is currently funded way over it's goal of $25K. In fact, they received over $41,000 in funding from 236 backers. The crowd has spoken and they want laser cut wooden robot heads! I love this crowd.

You can learn more about Fritz the robotic head on the Kickstarter page or on the www.xyzbot.com web site.

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The Busted Bricks Marble Machine #2 kit has a wheel elevator and two tracks

A while back, I posted about a new laser-cut marble machine kit from Michael Henriksen, the man behind BustedBricks.com. His second marble machine design is shown in the video. It is is now available as a kit also.

Marble machine #2 is a larger, more complex machine than his first. It has a 150x150mm base and stands 170mm tall. It features a wheel lifter to elevate the 7mm chrome steel balls, which come with the kit. A track switch distributes the balls between the two independent tracks, one of which has a collector that dumps the balls when three have been collected. The lifter wheel is pre-assembled to make sure everything operates as it should.

If you would like to get a good sense for what is involved in making the kit, here is where you can download the assembly instructions.

Here is where you can get the Busted Bricks Marble Machine #2 kit.

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