Automata Models/Mechanism Research Assignment

/30 Marks Total

OPTION 1
Automata Build: Students may choose to build an Automata at home based on their
ideas created in Onshape. Students should use scissors, glue, cardboard and wooden
dowel, barbeque skewers or straws or any other materials that they have available at
home. Marks will be awarded based on the level of completion of the automata

Total Mark Achieved Student’s Automata was able to:

30 3 motions of automata completed

26-29 2 motions of automata completed

21-25 Main box, crank and 1 motion of automata completed

16-20 Main box, crank, and 1 motion attempted

0-15 Main box and rotational crank are completed

Students should film a 10 sec video of their Automata and submit it to this assignment

Resources: How to make your first cardboard automata

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W1dTyUrfZc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH9sbyPgwFM
OPTION 2
Mechanism research report: Students are to create a research report about the
different mechanisms that can be used to make Automata work. The following
mechanisms should be explained in depth based on the following criteria

Total possible marks = 30

Mechanisms to research and include in your report:

1. Rollers/wheels
2. Cams
3. Lead screws
4. Levers
5. Gears
6. Ratchets

For each of the mechanisms above, include the following information:

Total Mark Achieved Student’s Automata was able to:

/3 Title for the mechanism and diagram

/5 How does the mechanism work? (include a description and diagram)

/5 What is the history of this mechanism? (include a description and diagram)

/5 How is the mechanism used in automata? (include a description and diagram)

/12 What type of motion/motions is created by the mechanism? (include a

description and diagram)

/30 Final Mark

TYPES OF MOTION:

!
Students should create a Google Document of their Automata mechanism report and
submit it to this assignment - AN EXAMPLE OF HOW A MECHANISM SHOULD BE
DESCRIBED IN YOUR REPORT HAS BEEN INCLUDED BELOW:

PULLEYS

Figure 1: Different pulley configurations

How pulleys work

Pulleys use a rope or belt looped over a wheel to lift objects and multiply force. A pulley
with one wheel allows you to reverse the direction of your lifting force by pulling down
on a rope (that's looped over the wheel), lifting your weight. With a two-wheel pulley,
you reduce the effort you exert to lift the same amount of weight. You lift the weight with
half the force.

The History of Pulleys

The earliest evidence of pulleys dates back to Ancient
Egypt in the Twelfth Dynasty (1991-1802 BCE) and
Mesopotamia in the early 2nd millennium BCE. In Roman
Egypt, Hero of Alexandria (c. 10-70 CE) identified the
pulley as one of six simple machines used to lift weights.

Fig 2: Diagram of pulleys

being used to lift ships out
of the water
 Fig 4: Pulleys on automata

How pulleys are used in automata

Pulleys are used to change the direction of forces in automata and also to change the
force and speed of ropes and belts. They are very useful at transmitting forces over
long distances.

The type of motion of pulleys

The type of motion that is generated by pulleys is rotational and linear. Rotational if
attached to the side of the pulley and linear if attached to the rope or belt.

Fig 5: Rotational and linear motion