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K'nex Programmable Automaton

$K\$

A K'nex automaton with a programmable path. This alternating design was originally conceived by Heron of Alexandria.

I don't have enough string, so I could only run the short program shown in the video.

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Step 1Build Frame and Motor Components

Build.

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90 comments

1-40 of 90

Oct 4, 2010. 8:12 AMlukeD says:

can you use a other motor like this or something???

Apr 10, 2010. 9:48 AMFoaly7 says:

I'm a little confused on the programming. It just doesn't seem explained well enough.

Apr 10, 2010. 10:01 AMFoaly7 says:

Okay, so do you change whether it's over or under by wrapping the string around the grey connector that was added, the change it from there? As in, L/5o/8u//
After the 5o, you wrap the string around the connector at five, then go under 8, coming back to the connector at five?

Apr 22, 2010. 1:39 PM

crestind (author) says:

The string needs to pass 5 rods over and then 8 rods under, so on the sixth rod you would be switching to under by wrapping around a grey connector. The numbers are irrelevant for most programs unless you need something especially precise.

Apr 10, 2010. 9:38 AMFoaly7 says:

When I got some of the filler for my giant tub full of K'nex, (it's seriously full up.) I found a thing to make a robot in the instruction manual. I think I could build that onto this, to give it a little height.

Feb 19, 2010. 2:04 AMwebby427 says:

No offence but I prefer Mikey13's one because it's smaller and more piece efficient but this is good 4.5* and a sub

Feb 19, 2010. 6:47 AM

crestind (author) says:

The size of my automaton will not increase significantly with an increase in the length of the script.

Feb 19, 2010. 7:48 AMwebby427 says:

size of the robot/car

Mar 17, 2009. 10:13 AMTheFoofinator says:

I have had a go at making my own programmable robot, with a repetitive program however I have not uploaded it -should i post? :

Mar 23, 2009. 1:52 PMrobocrazy155 says:

Go for it, looks really cool!

Jun 16, 2009. 12:22 AMTheFoofinator says:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Programmable-Robot-V11/http://www.instructables.com/id/KAP-V-Knex-Programmable-Automated-Vehicle-MK2/
Both of my robots!

Apr 23, 2008. 12:16 PMarrow shot says:

where can i get that dual switch motor thingy? is it a knex set?

Nov 22, 2008. 11:13 AMMiles Tails Prower says:

That's an All Terrain Trekker motor, I'm lucky, got 2 in newstate. It's discontinued (WHY???), so the only way to get it is to eBay it.

Apr 9, 2009. 10:35 PMLance Mt. says:

ACtually, any sort of carnival set has motors, two way too!

Sep 2, 2008. 6:52 AMThe Jamalam says:

EBAY!!!1

Apr 23, 2008. 4:13 PM

crestind (author) says:

Any motor will work from this model. That particular motor has been discontinued.

Sep 3, 2008. 3:38 AMdsman195276 says:

YOU WON!

Sep 3, 2008. 6:10 PM

crestind (author) says:

Yeah :D Thanks to everybody who voted.

Sep 3, 2008. 6:44 PMdsman195276 says:

no problem :-)

May 2, 2008. 6:56 PMdsman195276 says:

i can never figure out why they stopped making that motor. it was around the best one they made.

Jan 6, 2009. 11:37 AMMiles Tails Prower says:

And the cyberknex too, WHY??? And WHY??? do they create STUPID BRICKS NOW!

Jun 28, 2009. 8:40 AMPikminRed says:

I've found the "stupid bricks" can actually be attached to legos that way, But, I agree.

Nov 22, 2008. 11:15 AMMiles Tails Prower says:

I totally agree.

May 15, 2008. 10:27 PMTailslvr7_7 says:

I don't get how you program it.

Apr 9, 2009. 10:33 PMLance Mt. says:

Your basically wrapping the stings so that it unravel at different intervals.. From there gears, gun and wheels may be moved, activated, cocked and what have you. -Not quite Anom delivers, Chris

Jan 6, 2009. 11:38 AMMiles Tails Prower says:

Wow! Tails lover haha.

Jun 15, 2010. 3:30 PMTailslvr7_7 says:

Yeah, when I made this account, I was OBSESSED with Tails... Back on-topic with K'nex and string program... No I didn't make it yet, but I'll find some K'nex and some string and try to make it.

Jun 1, 2008. 11:48 AM

crestind (author) says:

Have you built it yet? All you do is loop the strings around the greys in different patterns and it will affect the movement. No loops means it goes straight.

Dec 6, 2008. 1:46 AMThe Jamalam says:

I bet you hate me for straying into weaponary... but I am going to add a gatling gun to the top of this :P

Dec 8, 2008. 6:15 PM

crestind (author) says:

You could program the gatling gun to fire at specific intervals probably if you had a string pull a trigger every so often.

Apr 9, 2009. 10:30 PMLance Mt. says:

I loved this, never had the pieces.. i do now and i want to program it for a certian purpose. I've set several knex weapons up to cock back with one string, fire with the other.. I was having fun doing ti from a far distance but then i rememebred this.. Its dying for a shooting

Jan 24, 2009. 12:47 PMOblivitus says:

That would be awesome.

Feb 16, 2009. 7:42 AMGMer56 says:

The days of computers with punchcards are making a comeback with this instructable.

Jan 6, 2009. 11:56 AMThe Jamalam says:

yay! you mentioned me ty lol

Nov 7, 2008. 11:45 AMMiles Tails Prower says:

I think you don't need special K'NEX strings. Try using a normal household string?

Dec 6, 2008. 1:45 AMThe Jamalam says:

this is just bog standard thread

Jan 6, 2009. 11:35 AMMiles Tails Prower says:

Ok.

Jan 6, 2009. 11:55 AMThe Jamalam says:

1 month ago lol

Dec 6, 2008. 1:55 AMThe Jamalam says:

Here is a sample script: L/8u/5o/8u/5o// etc R/5o/8u/5o/8u// etc Giives a sort of Snakey S shaped path Here's another one: L/32u// R/32o// Goes around in circles. lol fun to watch

Dec 8, 2008. 6:15 PM

crestind (author) says:

Wow sweet thanks! If you want you can name your script and I'll add it.

1-40 of 90