Automata with crankshaft 

Expolore automata with crankshafts.
Movements of these two butterflies are identical. Flapping of wings of this butterfly is driven by cams while movement of these wings is driven by a crankshaft.
Crankshafts can be found in toys as well as machinery such as engines.
Let's learn more about crankshaft.
Instead of cardsheet, pencil,wooden sticks,straws and strips, we will work with wires, cycle spokes and pins.
Crankshaft
A crankshaft is a shaft driven by a crank mechanism, consisting of a series of cranks.
Connecting rods transfer the motion to other parts.
It is a mechanical part able to perform a conversion between reciprocating motion and rotational motion.
Crank :
a bent part of an axle or shaft or an arm keyed at right angles to the end of a shaft by which circular motion is imparted to or received from the shaft or by which reciprocating motion is changed into circular motion or vice versa
Let's take this thin steel wire. I can rotate it like this by hand or use this plier to bend it a couple of times and make a handle out of it.
Let's bend a square like shape in the center as well.
As we rotate the wire, this part also rotates.
Our crankshaft is ready.
Now let's bend another piece of wire with a closed loop on one end and place it here.
Can you predict the movement of the loose wire ?
Wire moves up and down as we rotate the crankshaft.
We can place this arrangement inside a plastic container with holes on its sides.
Attaching a small ball on the wire allows us to understand movement better.
Ball is not only moving up and down but forward and backward as well.
How about replacing the plastic container with wire itself ?
I can attach spokes like this and wind a wire around it to create a frame with loops at these three places.
Water bottle can be used as a stand and we are good to go.
Similar wireframe can be made to suit the needs of the visuals we want to build.
This wireframe has two openings on the top.
Let us take thinner wire and loop it around here. This will prevent side movement on the shaft.
Central part of the butterfly can be fixed to the frame while wings can be attached to thin wire on both sides.
With the crankshaft and connecting wires in place, let's attach a butterfly here.
Now that you know one more way to transfer motion, do try these other visuals as well.
Explore variations in tools as well as the type of wires to bring your story to life
Thank you.
#Automata
#Crankshaft