Knex Eater Automaton

This is my latest automaton. It picks up knex balls and eats them.

It has two moving arms, a head that turns, and a mouth that opens.

If you're making this, make sure you have at least 4 ball joints, 2 ball sockets, 2 hinges, and 4 pulleys.

• http://www.knex.com/black-ball-joint
• http://www.knex.com/black-ball-socket
• http://www.knex.com/black-hinge
• http://www.knex.com/gray-pulleytire-insert-1-12in

This is the base of the automaton.

This part will hold the motor.

I'd recommend using the motor where the battery pack is separate from the motor.

This is how the motor connects to the scaffold.

These wheels will help keep the head on straight.

This is the main axle. It will turn back and forth.

This part fits in the middle of the bearings.

These are all the parts that will go on the main axle.

Pay careful attention to the direction of each part on the spine.

Red connectors are used because they make the right arm go further than the left arm. This is needed because the crankshaft makes the left arm go further than the right arm.

The spine will go through the white connector in the base.

The Shoulders are connected to the Scaffold, and the Arms are connected to the Spine.

Most of this step can be replaced later.

Add the Head to the Neck, and attach the back of the head to the scaffold.

Now you're done! Turn on the motor to make sure nothing is jamming. If it is, go back to step 9 (adding the spine) and make sure everything is pointing the right way.

This is an example of an entrance and exit track. I'd suggest making your own. When you design your ball machine, try to avoid the need for the scaffold in this step.