Gear creating software

[Pete M]

I recently bought an old Machinery's Handbook published in 1950, and it explains how to construct the involute gear form and has all the required specs. We can make things easily now with modern equipment and should take a moment to appreciate those who made it possible. The heavy thinking was done in the seventeen hundreds.

[tuck]

Peter, I would love to see that book!

I had to do some heavy thinking myself before all of these cool gear generating programs came along. You have to work with pi, diameters and circumferences, all kinds of crazy mathematical equations that can cause a man a headache. Been there, done that.

You're right. It's easy enough now to generate the gears with modern software/programs. How creative and imaginative you can get with the gears' center designs, themes for great looking and fun displays, as well as coming up with the right hardware to put it all together and make the displays run smoothly are the challenges left.

This has been an amazing thread that has addressed most if not all of the challenges for hardware. The rest is left up to your imagination!

[Pete M]

IMGP0441.jpg
It is all good

[myxpykalix]

now it's click, click, click and you're done! Well Mark that's what made you so smart is all that there book-lernin. But look what you have teached us!

[tuck]

now it's click, click, click and you're done! Well Mark that's what made you so smart is all that there book-lernin. But look what you have teached us!

Ha! I'm hardly smart,...just determined to discover the right way to do things and the World Wide Web makes that a lot easier.

Jack, I think you may have purchased the incorrect motors as the shafts are so small. The one I'm getting (see 5 post above) will work much better and make your life easier. Can you return for refund and get the better one(s)?

[tuck]

One thing I wanted to add: I've noticed how Brett installs a piece of clear plex over most all of his displays. This is a great idea for permanent wall displays to protect against dust, damage and the prying hands of curious children.

As far as how to hang them (the displays, not the children!), I think french cleats would be the way to go. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP6mP_bApGY

[myxpykalix]

I think Steve sent me the links and i just bought 2 of them. They weren't but about 6-8 bucks each i think hardly worth the time and expense to ship back but i did have the same thought about the shaft being too small but and figured he knew what he was talking about.....
BUT NOOOOOOO.... lol

I copied your link and might get a couple of those. What i do think would be cool is if you could reverse the direction of the motors with a switch or program a time interval to run one way then reverse.

[tuck]

One thing I'm considering for a cool looking finish for my next gear project is Sculpt Nouveau. I've never used any but you can get beautiful patinas with it and I envision old antiqued rusted looking gears, slowly turning.



http://www.sculptnouveau.com/

There's all kinds of instruction for its' use on YouTube and I know Joe Crumley has used a good deal of it before with stunning results.

Also, rattle can spray paint has come a long way in recent years, with all kings of metallic and textured paints available. You can imitate the color/finish of everything from solid gold to solid stone.

This thread has really gotten me worked up again to get back into gear making and kinetic wall sculptures!

[shoeshine]

As far as switching the polarity, look into Arduino. There is a bit of learning curve, but not a huge one. Lots of good stuff on Maker's blog.

[tuck]

Once again I refer to the master, Mr. Dickins, for inspiration and ideas:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1De-...3&feature=plcp

I think the guy is pure genius with his work.