Wooden Locking Mechanism

by TiSpace

57K4643

Intro: Wooden Locking Mechanism

Creating a wooden locking mechanism is not hard in case you can make use of a laser cutter. This instructable describes my approach for locking a compartment

STEP 1: Laser Cut

Using online tools for constructing the rack and pinion is very handy. I've used one for calculating the number of teeth and all parameters, and another one to export DXF files in order to import into my CAD system for the laser cutter.

These are my favorites:

  1. Gear builder: Woodgears
  2. Geargenerator: this one can export directly into SVG format
  3. another one with DXF Export InvoluteSpurGearBuilder allow regular, rack and pinion or planetary gear design

Finally you should end up with something like this plan

Let the cutter do it's job

STEP 2: Assembly Gear

Now you should have all racks, pinions and spacer in hand and mount them on a wooden plate. Choose the size which you prefer. Best is to glue the two racks together - you can leave the supporting screws in place or remove them after glueing.

You need to add some pieces on top and bottom to keep the pinions in positions and avoid the to move others than the wanted directions

STEP 3: Assemble Whole Block

now cut some round 14mm diameter rod into the proper length and mount them on the pinion. The absolute length of course depends on dimensions of your device you want to lock.

Locking to my compartment, I've added an extra wood block to sustain the force which will be applied while the whole device is locked and in place.

STEP 4: Test


Don't forget to drill some holes on the other side of your device in which the rods will be pushed.

Finally once all is done, the locking mechanism should work like shown in the video - mine is doing a nice job :-)

3 Comments

juanvi 7 years ago

Hello, nice gears! Im currently designing something to laser-cut on wood and Im making use of lots of gears, did you do some kind of adjustment to the blueprints to adjust for the laser thickness?

TiSpace 7 years ago

there was no special precaution for placing the gears; I've simply kept a bit of gap so they're running smoothly. For sure it's getting more critical as more gears you're using.
You have to take a bit more attention on the diameter for the axle as wood might change a bit the "thickness" so simply drill 0.5mm more than needed. (had to rework ..)

seamster 7 years ago

This is really slick. Very nicely done!