Introduction: Simple and Cute Octopus Automata
Cardboard Automata are a playful way to explore simple machine elements such as cams, levers, and linkages, while creating a mechanical sculpture.
To make an Octopus Automata, you will need:
1. Cardboard
2. Dowels
3. Skewer
4. Pencil
5. Thermocol ball
6. Pipecleaners
7. Googly eyes
8. Glue
9. Scissor
10. Circle cutter
All the above mentioned materials are present in a classroom, so its an easy STEAM activity
Step 1: Make a Frame
1.Take a square cardboard of approx 20 cm x 20 cm or larger.
2. Cut four squares of 10 cm x 10 cm as shown.
3. Make a square box or a frame for automata by joining all four square using a glue.
4. Apply a white sheet of 10 cm x 10 cm on one side of frame.
Step 2: Make the Cams
1. Using a circle cutter, cut a circle of diameter 5 cm.
2. Cut 3 such circles and glue together to make a cam.
3. Make 2 such cams (so you will need 6 circles)
Step 3: Poke Holes on Three Sides of Frame
1. Poke one hole on top of the frame covered with white sheet. You can use a skewer and tip of pencil to poke hole.
2.Insert a piece of straw on top of hole.
3.Now poke hole on two sides of frame. Hole should be poked a slight below the center point.
Step 4: Insert a Cam and a Cam Follower
1. Use a dowel as a lever(axle) and insert on one side of frame and attach a dowel. You can glue the cam if needed.
2. Insert a half dowel from top of the frame and attach a cam follower. You can glue the cam follower if needed.
3. Test the motion by rotating the lever (axle).
Step 5: Make the Sculpture
You can make any sculpture of your wish that you want to rotate. I have made an octopus as my daughter likes it and i have made for her. To make an octopus
1. First take a thermocol ball
2. Color it.
3. Cut pipe-cleaners and give it a shape of legs.
4. Paste googly eyes or draw as per your wish and make a hole at the bottom.
Step 6: Attach the Sculpture and Handle
1. Glue the octopus on top of the dowel.
2. Make a handle by inserting a piece of skewer in one circular cut cardboard.
3. Glue the handle on one side of axle.
Step 7: Explanation of Concept
An automata is a playful and inventive way to explore simple machine elements like cam, lever, linkages etc
The spinning element that you turn with a handle is called a cam.
The cam is attached with a lever.
The element that sits on the top of cam is called a cam follower.
When the handle is moved the force applied is transferred from cam to cam follower and at last to the object that we wish to move.