Mechanical Breadboards

[zeeprogrammer]

In the hope that this is not off topic (i.e. too far removed from 'engines')...

I've been interested in learning about mechanics - linkages, gearing, cams. Basic stuff, sort of...not looking to be an 'engineer' (I'm a software engineer - and that's enough for me)...that is...not 'strength of materials' and so on...this is hobby.

Basically...I want something to move in a certain way...and I don't know how to do it...and paper models don't work...what's available to prototype?

I talked to some mechies at work...they've tried to be helpful...but I'm stuck.

I have some projects that are not strictly engines...but can be driven by engines (hence I may also need to build an engine)...in any case...I've been looking for educational kits that can teach. Hands-on is what I need.

To give you some idea...Berg and PIC provide mechanical breadboards. They look interesting...albeit expensive...but their sites leave much to be desired. I don't think they cater to the individual hobbyist. That is...I don't know if I can buy one if I wanted to.

Do any of you know of something else? Don't bother suggesting Lego...I have a MindStorm set...problem is...I always find I need to put something where it can't go...and it falls apart...I'm convinced some of the really cool stuff we see on YouTube (Gatling Lego, V-8 Lego) must be super-glued together.

I've thought about Meccano (but that was as a kid)...now that Erector has it... is it the same?

Starting to ramble now...I'll wait and see what anyone...if anyone...suggests.

Thanks.

I'm not prepared to describe the project I'm thinking about...the people at work look at me as if I'm nuts...that's enough to tell me I want to do this...but not enough to tell about it until I have a better idea that I can do. Good grief...I only started cutting metal less than 3 months ago!

Thanks.

And I have to say again...great forum...great people.

 

[steamer]

Well Zee....I do mean this sincerely....

Do you have a lathe?...

Make what you want....


Dave

 

[Brian Rupnow]

Yes, an erector set would be a good place to start. They have basic and advanced kits, and can take you from very basic machines to some fairly complex stuff.

 

[Tin Falcon]

Something like this maybe
http://www.vexrobotics.com/vex-products.shtml
Looks like a step above lego technic/mindstorm
Tin

 

[steamer]

Additionally,

Not all mecahnical creations need to be of the level of fit and finish of the Monitor engine....especially if there just feasibility studies....rough and ready saves the day here.

Stamped steel, even plastruc ( plastic building materials found at hobby stores) can get the job done....with a minimum of fuss and muss. Box store metal sections and tubing are great "structural members" that need little more than a hack saw, file and a drill....I seem to remember some shop made beer can crushers that were hardly....eh sophisticated.......however they functioned wonderfully! I also seem to remember some plans somewhere for a stirling engine made from soup cans!....

I work as a Development Engineer and I have made some wonderful foam mockups of working thermally controlled chambers that were made of 1/4" craft store foam board and a hot melt glue gun!.....Works great to 85C.....then the glue gets a bit dicey :...but talk about making changes quickly!....take a razor blade and have at it!

But if your going to put and engine on it, it will need to be engineered to take the power/torque applied...what ever the level of finish is......Have a little fun figuring out what you DON'T have to do to make a working part! ;D

Dave

 

[BobWarfield]

To experiment with linkages, I am somehow thinking of a tooling plate as the "breadboard". A grid of holes, some threaded and some precision dowel pin locations.

Cheers,

BW

 

[zeeprogrammer]

Hi,

Uh, yes Steamer...I have a lathe...and a mill . I don't doubt I can make the bits...(well maybe not all now...but soon!) but it's more of knowing what bits to make and how to put them together to get the action I want.

Brian...yeah I may go by way of Erector set. Many fond memories there. Still...I think it suffers some of the same problems as Lego...that is...you're somewhat limited to placement of parts or even having the right parts (not that any kit has all the parts one wants).

Tin...how did you know my first job was developing robots? But I can't say I'm very interested in robots anymore...it requires too much of what I already know...and...well I won't get into that right now.

Anybody know of a good (read also free or cheap) software program that allows you to create parts, put them together, and simulate the action? The only one I know is SolidWorks but I'm told it's a) expensive and b) requires more computer than what I want to invest in.

Thanks all. I couldn't believe how quick I got your replies. You were all helpful.

...

Just saw the additional posts...thanks again...all very helpful. I'll check it out.

 

[Hilmar]

And don't leave wood out Wood.
Hilmar

 

[shred]

Btw, there are a number of books containing interesting mechanical linkages as well-- '507 Mechanical Movements' is an inexpensive and a useful collection originally from 1901. On the expensive side (list $90) is the textbook 'Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook'-- it is better organized and has a lot more 'how and why' in it as well as recent things like robots. Grab a used copy if it looks interesting.

A long while ago on the web I ran across a collection of interesting motion mechanisms someone had made, but haven't been able to relocate it-- it had pictures and videos and was really interesting. Update: found it: http://kmoddl.library.cornell.edu/collection-toc.php I could spend hours there.

Btw, Acetone can be used to stick Legos togther and make non-standard bricks.

 

[lugnut]

Play around on this web site, there are all kinds of mechanical actions and mechanisms to play with. you have to dig deep into it,
http://www.mechanisms101.com/theo_jansen.shtml
Mel

 

[RICHARDDV]

I collect and restore Erector sets, and I find that they make excellent "breadboard" units to prove concept and actions. Many complicated models can be made with a limited number of standard parts available. The accuracy of fit can be compensated for by the use of custom parts such as bearing blocks easily made from nylon or Delrin plastic. AC Gilbert Erector and Mecanno are both owned by Brio/Nikko and both use the standard grid dimension of .500 in. /12.7 mm spacing .This makes it very easy to calculate part spacing and gear meshing. There is an excellent gear mesh chart available from www.girdersandgears.com using gears available from Mecanno and Erector which are mostly 32 and 24 pitch. The old sets are available on Ebay and other sources and will be more suitable due to the size of the parts. The new set parts are considerably shorter in length and have more plastic parts

 

[steamer]

Zee.


Alibre has worked well for me ( 3D cad package) and is not expensive....some versions are free.

Dave

 

[zeeprogrammer]

Shred...yeah I have both books...'Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices' is what actually started me on my quest. I tried to build some using Lego. Both are good books for ideas. I briefly looked at the website you gave....I'll be going back. Cool stuff.

lugnut...I actually have a sketch I drew of the 'walking' mechanism...either from that site or a similar one. I'll dig into it.

RICHARDDV...yes I keep coming round to Erector...much cheaper than Berg et.al. Now that I found out I'm going to be a grand-daddy maybe I'll get one anyway!...for..you know...the kid! Going to be a girl which is just fine with me. I have two daughters and that's all I know how to raise anyway. I told the son-in-law this was divine compensation.

steamer...did a quick look...1/3 the price of SolidWorks which we use at work. I'll ask the mechies how the two differ. I haven't looked to see if my computers have the power...I know they wouldn't if I was thinking of SolidWorks (which I'm not). Any thoughts on that? I have a 'plain' Dell desktop...vanilla graphics...which I could upgrade but the box must be 5 years old now. I mainly use it to SlingBox to the upstairs TV. I mostly use my HP laptop I got last June but I don't know its graphic capability (but it's obviously better than the other machine). If I have to put money into computers...I probably won't, at least not until I'm further down the road.

Thanks all. Lots of really good stuff there to investigate. Thanks for the help.

 

[tmuir]

Yes don't not Erector or Meccano.
With a bit of help Meccano / Errector can do great things.
Have a look at this Analytical Engine built with it
http://www.meccano.us/analytical_engine/index.html

or these difference engines
http://www.meccano.us/difference_engines/rde_1/index.html

http://www.meccano.us/difference_engines/rde_2/index.html

Not to mention the hundreds of Meccano clocks on the web

Ebay is a great source of second hand Meccano and erector and if you don't care the paint is scuffed you can get it cheap.

And for those hard to get specialist Meccano parts there is the "Meccanoman'
http://meccanoman.co.uk/catalog/
He sells refurbished, new reproduction parts, seconds as well as the new plastic meccano.

 

[steamboatmodel]

I have found the best place for Meccano, Erector, Steel Tec, Lego and Knox's is the second hand stores. I have picked up some items still in the sealed bags. I just picked up the Lego nxt unit for $10. I try most of my modelling mechanism's out using these systems before committing to metal work.
Regards,
Gerald

 

[zeeprogrammer]

I looked at the girdersandgears site. WOW. Oh to be a kid again. Oh to have another kid...no wait...don't need that again...I'll go for the grandkids.

What I really liked was the ability to get spares and extras. Just kits are never enough.

Thanks everyone.
I'll check the sites you suggested tmuir.
Time to start looking for second hand stores...thanks steamboatmodel.

I really like this idea cause I can try things quickly...yet make what I need too.

 

[ianjkirby]

Hi Zee,
Have a look at google sketchup. At first sight it looks a bit clunky, but check out the demo videos, you will see that it is actually quite useful for mechanisms. Naturally, there is a bit of a learning curve, but hey, you can't start at the top!
Regards, Ian.

ps - I forgot to mention its most appealing attribute. Its FREE!