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) 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
