Theo Jansens Strandbeest Wind Up Motor Mod
by Lumo Lights in Circuits > Art
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Theo Jansens Strandbeest Wind Up Motor Mod
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Still awaiting my 3D printer but admiring Theo Jansen's work and really craving to examine the inner workings of one of these little Strandbeest's I forced myself to fork out and buy a lovely injection molded model (they can be found here) http://www.strandbeest.com/shop/index.php)
Not being content with having to blow the confounded but very efficient small fan and almost give myself hyperventilation each time I wanted to see it move I thought to try and tack a little wind up motor onto the side.
Not being content with having to blow the confounded but very efficient small fan and almost give myself hyperventilation each time I wanted to see it move I thought to try and tack a little wind up motor onto the side.
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Gather hackable parts and materials.
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Take the case off of your wind up toy.
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Sometimes they use a locktite substance to seal the screws, because they are children's toys to avoid them coming apart and becoming a choking hazard. The grip on these little screw drivers can be hard to get purchase on so i grip them with a wireless drill but a pair of pliers can also be used.
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Take all outside fixtures off the motor, admire the mechanism. This ladybird aswell as the wheels propelling it along did back flips. I took the bottom drive shaft out as it was not needed however it turned out it has a job inside, applying pressuring to one of the cogs and the engine will not work properly without it.
Keep other bits in a jar for future projects.
Keep other bits in a jar for future projects.
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Find cog that fits and shave lip on washer that is already on the drive shaft.
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Measure the top bar of the Strandbeest and drill the same sized hole in the already pilot hole, furthest away from the winder as seen here on the far left.
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Check that its a good fit.
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Find a thin piece of string that fits through the hole furthest away from the previously drilled one, I use kite string.
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Measure the string too short to reach the bottom metal rod support and attach a little bit of elastic band to provide tension.
Super glue the cog down to the drive shaft, I use a araldite. Leave for 24 hours. Make sure the cog runs absolutely parallel to the motor body.
Super glue the cog down to the drive shaft, I use a araldite. Leave for 24 hours. Make sure the cog runs absolutely parallel to the motor body.
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Wind it up and enjoy your Stranbeest indoors as well as out in the big bad world!