How to weld a rolling ball sculpture - Part 2: welding a T-joint

Here's artist Tom Harold's second instructional video on how to make welded rolling ball track sculptures. This video covers the basics of welding a T-joint, a commonly used joint in rolling ball sculptures. In the video, Tom shows the proper way to prep parts, tack weld, weld with filler rod, and the details of a track clamp -- one of the special tools he uses in making ball tracks.

See more work by Tom Harold on his web site.

Here's a link to top-rated books on welding. Why stop there? You can buy welders on Amazon -- many with free shipping if you have Amazon Prime, which is well worth it in my experience.

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"Serpina" -- an electromechanical wooden rolling ball clock by Christopher Blasius

Christopher Blasius wrote to let us know about his latest creation: an electromechanical wooden rolling ball clock. Check it out!

From the creator:

I have designed a new clock. Her name is "Serpina" and it's a electromechanical rolling ball clock. Instead of a pendulum, a ball rolls down an inclined plane, which takes 20 seconds. Then the seesaw then tips in the opposite direction and the process begins again.

For more information please visit his website at http://www.holzmechanik.de.

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Up To Speed - hand-cranked kinetic sculpture by Gina Kamentsky

Here's a new wall-mounted kinetic sculpture by artist Gina Kamentsky titled Up To Speed. I love how everything is visible. Some of the found parts used to fabricate the machine are clearly recognizable, others on the edge of recognition, and still others are just plain mysterious. Of course, the playful/thoughtful nature of her work is always a joy to watch.

This pieces is from her new body of mechanical sculpture work for 2014. You can see more at http://www.ginakamentsky.com.

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Ingenius and elegant attempt at creating a perpetual motion machine

The sound of the ball on the track immediately satisfied me that there is friction in this system and thus cannot run indefinitely. Still, it appears to be remarkably efficient and the ingenuity is undeniable. The combination of a metal ball, magnets, a gimbaled rack and multiple pendulums is not something I've ever seen before.

This remarkable piece was made by artist Reidar Finsrud.

[ Thanks Christoph! ]

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Video of Clayton Boyer's marble strike movement

Take a look at this fascinating mechanism designed by wooden clock designer, Clayton Boyer. The marbles are lifted such that they count out an ever-increasing number of hours.

[ Thanks Christoph! ]

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Learn to make rolling ball kinetic sculptures with artist Tom Harold

Artist Tom Harold noticed that many people in online forums had the same questions about getting started building rolling ball sculptures out of steel.

Seeing that no videos existed to directly address these questions, he put together the starter video shown here. This video is part one of a series that may end up being about three or four videos in length. This one focuses mostly on welding 1/8 inch steel rod. Great stuff!

You cans see more of Tom Harold's kinetic sculpture on his web site.

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Intel creates kinetic art robotic music system inspired by an animated video

A couple of years ago, a video made the rounds on the internet. (Strangely, I don't think it appeared here on The Automata Blog.) It was a 3D animation of an intricate musical system in which bouncing balls triggered notes on an assemblage of musical devices. It was pretty convincing. I think there was a bit of confusion in some circles as to whether the machine was a real thing or not. It wasn't, but now it is. The folks at Intel have used that video as inspiration to create a machine that does more or less what the one in the video did! That's what you see above.

For reference, here is the original video titled Pipe Dream:

Here is where you can learn more about the embedded Intel technology for industrial automation that was used for this project.

[ Thanks Christoph! ]

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Opportunity - a welded steel rolling-ball sculpture by Tom Harold

Here is a new rolling ball sculpture from artist Tom Harold titled Opportunity. I really like the tone-emitting ball drops!

From the video description:

It measures 52.5" x 33" x 11" and is made entirely of welded steel, clear coated to prevent rust. It features a motor-driven chain lift effortlessly supplying marbles to the topmost track that then divides into two tracks via a tipper-style track splitter. Once on their way, the marbles encounter a number of entertaining devices including a chime, four tone-emitting ball drops, three 360-degree loops, two spirals, wavy track, a four-ball collector, and a coil plus elements made from tubing, welded rings and over 51 feet of track with dips, curves and bends.

To check out additional kinetic art by Tom Harold on his web site or inquire commissioning a piece of fascinating by the artist.

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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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With One You Get Birthday Cake - kinetic sculpture by Gina Kamentsky

Here is another delightful hand-cranked contraption in the mechanical series that artist Gina calls Mechanical Confections.

As ususal, there is a satisfying assortment of mechanical components: a periodically engaging set of bevel gears; a ball bearing on a shifting incline plane; a Geneva wheel; a pair of offset cams causing two followers to toggle up and down; a chiming bell; and, of course, a spinning wooden block with various items printed on its faces -- one of which shows a birthday cake.

See more kinetic sculptures by Gina Kamentsky on her web site.

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Hand-cranked miniature ball track kit made from laser cut parts

Not long ago I posted about a nifty miniature ball track kit. Well, it looks like we might be witnessing the beginning of a trend. The video above shows a different miniature ball track designed by Martin Raynsford, the clever fellow who created the mechanical version of the Donkey Kong arcade game.

The kit allows you to assemble a hand-cranked marble machine. The kit includes all the laser cut wooden parts, the nuts and bolts, and enough balls to fill the machine up and spares (10).

Here is where you can get more details or buy Marble Machine Kit #1.

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Marble Machine Kit #1 - The worlds first commercially available laser-cut minature hand-cranked marble machine

I posted a few days ago about a neat little hand-cranked mini ball track.The kit version is now available from BustedBricks.com.

According to the kit's designer, Michael Henriksen, it is the world's first commercially available, miniature hand-cranked, marble machine kit with both lifter and track that is cut on a laser. As the previous post mentioned, the wire track has been replaced with a laser-cut wood track in the kit. I think it turned out great. Just take a look:

I am told the kit is easy to build, requiring only glue, sandpaper, and a sharp hobby knife. Complete assembly instructions are available to download as a PDF.

The base measures 70 x 70 mm (about 3 x 3 inches) and is 120 mm in height (about 5 inches). The kit can be built such that it may be turned with either the left or right hand. Plenty of 5mm steel balls are supplied with the kit.

The price for the kit is £12.95 GBP. For customers in the USA, the kit (with shipping) will cost about $30 USD. I'm going to stand by my earlier statement that this will make an excellent holiday gift for young and old alike. Here is where you can get the Marble Machine Kit #1.

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Hand-cranked mini ball track soon to be available in kit form

The folks over at BustedBricks.com offer hobby supplies and laser cutting services. To this useful list, they will soon be adding the nifty little rolling ball sculpture shown in the video as a kit! The video shows a test version of the kit. The final version will have a an easy-to-assemble laser cut plywood track, which does not require soldering skills or equipment. I adore the laser cut gears!

The kits will be available on Friday of this week at www.bustedbricks.com. I'm thinking these would make great holiday gifts. In the meantime, I recommend you check out the Stirling Engine Kits they currently offer!

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Mechanical version of the Donkey Kong arcade game

We've seen some interesting stuff here on The Automata Blog recently including a Lego assembly line, a paper robot that can walk, a working bicycle made of cardboard, and a greeting card that give you the thumbs up. Let's keep the awesome going with this mechanical/tangible version of the arcade game Donkey Kong made by M.S. Raynsford.

This is a simplified version of the full plan. Pretty incredible for a first version! The game is made almost entirely from laser cut (and decorated) parts. In this version, Mario jumps (via servo motor) over rolling ball bearings that run down actual ramps.

From the video description:

Built as part of a larger project this was my first attempt at a mechanical version of Donkey Kong. Time constraints meant I had to drop the XY CNC controller but hopefully explains why this is only V1. All the construction files and details can be found on my website MSRaynsford.co.uk

We can expect the fully functioning version at the UK Maker Faire, 2013. I can't wait!

Learn more about and see additional images of this mechanical Mario Brothers game on M. S. Raynsford's blog.

[ Thanks Julia! ]

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Female golfer automaton by Wanda Sowry

Female golf automaton a video by Wanda Sowry on Flickr.

I've always loved the use of woods in Wanda Sowry's automata. This piece depicts a golfer. Unlike some of the simpler versions out there, this figure actually hits a small ball into a cup with putter. The ball reemerge moments later to be struck again. She's getting in some good putting practice!

Wanda's figures are 100% successful from the looks of the video. Their placid carved expressions are therefore appropriate. My understanding is that the game is an emotional rollercoaster. It must be so because there is actually an entire book dedicated to carving golfers with all sorts of crazy expressions. It's called Carving Golfers: 12 Projects Capturing the Joys and Frustrations of the World's Greatest Game. Seems like the range of expressions captured would be useful for all kinds of automata. I may have to pick up a copy!

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Sphero robotic sphere is controlled by smartphone

The Sphero is robotic remote-controlled ball that can be directed with an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Android device. Controlling Sphero from your mobile device is accomplished in a variety of ways including tilting and gesturing on your device.

The Sphero comes with apps for you device that allow you to play with it in different ways. They call this "Mixed-Reality Game Play" in which real objects and virtual elements are both used for a game. The possibilities seem endless. I love the idea of setting up obstacle courses for it. You could improvise a most unusual indoor miniature golf course with little more than the things already in your living room. There is also the intriguing possibility of fooling your friends and annoying your cat. The Sphero can also be programmed to perform a recorded sequence of actions so that it can then run semi-autonomously.

Here is where you can read a whole lot more about the Sphero Robotic Ball.

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Amazing modular miniature marble-run machines

Based on the number of YouTube views, this video has made the rounds already, but it was new to me as of yesterday. The maker has created a modular marble track system. The input and output locations for the marbles are standardized at the transition points between going up and going down. Separate components are made for the the marble lift and marble run, with the lifts typically attached to the main base. In this way, one elevator system can be used to raise the marbles for several different downward runs. What a fantastic idea! It's beautifully made stuff too. Each machine measures only 10cm x 15cm at the base, so they are quite small.

[ Thanks Bob! ]

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The incredible mechanical art of Andrew Smith

Tangles of organic shapes, twists of colorful metal, spinning wheels, balls racing along on tracks with purpose, rooms jammed full of mechanical contraptions, liquids, gases, light, and a full-size human figure made of metal riding a bike. These are just some of the incredible mechanical creations that come from the mind and hands of artist Andrew Smith. Check out this video montage showing an assortment of his kinetic sculptures.

You can see more kinetic sculpture by Andrew Smith on his web site.

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"A World Around" - kinetic sculpture by Jim Jenkins

Check out this fascinating piece from artist Jim Jenkins titled A World Around. The piece is a motorized rolling ball sculpture with illuminated text elements. Jenkins uses an Arduino microcontroller to orchestrate various actions (i.e. the motors and lights) through a two minute cycle.

From the video description:

A track is mounted on a motorized base. As the base moves it causes a small globe to make irregular orbits around a yellow house. Intermittently illuminating on the interior walls of the house are the words "YOU, ME, US THEM."

See more kinetic sculpture by Jim Jenkins on his web site.

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Mechanical gift idea #4 - Time Machine clock

Part clock, part sculpture, The Time Machine is a mechanical clock that moves a set of chrome balls every sixty seconds. There is a track of accumulated balls to indicate the hour of the day and another two to indicate the minutes. There is a even a second hand on top. The clock has been around longer than you might think and was sold as "The Electric Wonder Ball Clock". Here is a nice video review of the clock

It comes with a fitted acrylic display case that keeps the dust out of the mechanism and makes it look really sleek and futuristic. This modern version of an ancient method of keeping time is a great conversation piece, fun for kids and adults. Please note: because of the clacking of the chrome balls this isn't a clock you'll want to put in a library -- but that's true of most mechanical clocks!

Here's the link for more info on the Time Machine Tabletop Clock

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