The great Automata Galaxy - updated with video

[Mark_Heli]

A few years ago, I was searching on the internet for interesting mechanical inventions and came across Automata.

Automata are mechanical models or kinetic art which use gears, cams and levers to represent some form of life. They are often operated by either a handle connected to a cam or a motor.

The history of automata is very interesting and my understanding is that it originated from around the time of watch making.

Anyhow, after reading up on Automata for a few months and seeing some amazing models by Keith Newstead (www.keithnewsteadautomata.com (http://www.keithnewsteadautomata.com)) I decided that I would try to make my own automata. That was ~7 months ago, and I have slowly been working on the model in between work.

The idea for an automata should represent something funny. I decided that I would base my automata around a girl watering a pot of flowers however instead of flowers growing, a mischievous dog would be hiding in the pot and would rise up from inside the pot. The motion is driven by turning the handle on the side the model.

Last weekend, I finally completed 99% of the model and I am very happy with how it has turned out.

The model started with some simple items from Bunning's - a sheet of marine ply wood, pieces of pine and some galvanised steel wire. I slowly started to make the model and would often spend time thinking about the idea for the model and how the parts would fit together.

Over time, I made each of the mechanical parts and pieces for the model.

The pictures below are the completed model.

I have also uploaded a video of the working model on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qG92HENPfuw

Cheers,
Mark

[PCH]

Hey Mark,

Wow, that is super cool buddy. Well done you!

I saw one of these years ago made by a family member and he'd set the whole thing in a glass case. I'm almost inclined to have a go at one myself. The process isn't fast, I get that, but the last thing I made was a 1metre x 1 metre x 1/2metre model of HMS Victory that took a bit over 5 years to complete.

Note to self: must get a life, lol

By the way, any chance you could do a vid of the machine turning once it's totally complete?

[PCH]

The Keith Newstead site is amazing!!!

[trent_julie]

I've just spent the last half hour watching Kieth's work. This must involve a great amount of effort and trial and error!

Trent

[Mark_Heli]

Hi Paul - Thanks. I'm impressed that you spent 5 years making a model of HMS victory. Interesting, the hair on the automata is actually made from model boat rigging thread which I got from frontline hobbies in Newcastle.

I am planning on making a video on the weekend which I will upload.



I think Keith Newstead is very talented. Incredibly, he also seems to be able to make his Automata relatively quickly - i.e. over a few weeks.


Cheers,
Mark

[Mark_Heli]

Attached are some more build pictures.

Cheers,
Mark

[PCH]

Hey Mark

I'm interested to find out more about this work. I know I could google for hours, but I'm guessing you already discovered the best sources of good information. Would you care to share where you found the most valuable info? You can either reply here or PM if you like - whichever you prefer. TIA :)

[Mark_Heli]

Hi Paul,

Some of the best information that I have found is from the following wesbites:

* Keith Newstead - www.keithnewsteadautomata.com (http://www.keithnewsteadautomata.com)
* Dug North - www.dugnorth.com (http://www.dugnorth.com)
* Carabet Mechnical Theatre - http://www.cabaret.co.uk/
- also has links to books and dvd's.

I found the hardest part to understand was how to design the shapes of the Cams, as their shape control the motion. I still haven't found any really good material which explains this in detail.

There is a very famous automaton called "The Writer" from 1744 in which a boy writes a note on a piece of paper. The shape of the cams holds all the information to control the motion of the boys hand & pen. The Cams are made from brass. I would really like to know how the designed the cams, but couldn't find any information. It's pretty amazing that this was designed before computers and works so accurately.

PS - I have just uploaded a video of my automata in motion - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qG92HENPfuw

Cheers,
Mark

[Mark_Heli]

Hi All,

I have just uploaded a video of my automata running - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qG92HENPfuw

I have also embedded the video below.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qG92HENPfuw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Cheers,
Mark

[PCH]

Mark,

thanks for showing us your working model. It's a great first step and one which I hope will inspire you to keep going with this most fascinating of hobbies.

For anyone interested, the automaton known as 'The Writer' which Mark mentioned is shown here ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY_wfKVjuJM and is a truly remarkable piece of miniature machinery.

Thanks for showing us your work Mark, - and also for the information about which sites you've found most helpful.

Kind regards :)

[strongmanmike]

Very Cool :thumbsup:

Mike

[graham.hobart]

very good!
I seem to recall visiting a museum of Automata in York, UK many years ago. I wonder if that's still there?
Nope-googling seems it closed around 1996.Shame.
Graham