After 8 years trying to create this, I finally got it to write a recognisable word! A more detailed video will appear one day. Basic details: A Meccano friend proposed a challenge. Build an all-Meccano machine capable of writing a few words. No electronics, or computers. No custom-built cams or mutilation of parts. Only one motor or hand-crank must be used to drive everything. An endless loop of 22 Flanged Plates carries Obtuse Angle Brackets, which cause clutches to engage the desired motions of the pen. Each prepared Flanged Plate carries data for one letter, allowing new words to be programmed. The plates are simply joined by strips, rods and push-on rubber collars. Four font sizes are possible, by using a 4 speed gearbox to alter the speed of the pen with respect to the Flanged Plates. The placement and angle of the Obtuse Angle Brackets is critical to the alignment of the drawn letter. More than 22 characters could be accommodated by increasing the height of the tower, which is presently limited by my workshop ceiling! The whole machine can fit into a large car roof box.
27 сен 2024
