Introduction: Pneumatic Wyvern

Hello My name is Brett Pavlovich and this is my final for my Pneumatics class at the College Conservatory of Music.

To make this structure you will need

3/4" 16 ga. box tube.

3/4" flat stock at 1/8" thickness

A sturdy base (I used wide steel flat stock)

Bolts and nuts (5/16" and 1/4" used)

1/2" 16 ga. box tube

12 ga. galvanized wire

Two loose pin hinges

Access to a welder, grinder, drill press, and assorted hand tools

Step 1: The Pieces to Begin

For this project I used 2 small cylinders with a 1/2" diameter and 5" stroke and a larger cylinder with a 3" diameter and 7" stroke.

First I picked a base and cut a small 2" section of the 3/4" box tube, drilled a 7/16" hole and tack welded it to my base. This will be the central pivot for my creature.

Step 2: Starting the Wings

I moved on to the wings after using the 1/2" box tube. I cut the smaller pieces at 5" and the larger at 9".

To get a better organic feel from the wings I slightly bent the larger pieces.

I then drilled a hole into the ends or the box tube large enough for a 1/4" bolt to snugly fit through.

Step 3: Connecting to the Body

Taking two similarly sized loose pin hinges I welded connection points so that the wings can move a little more freely in relation to the body.

Step 4: Applying the Wing Cylinders

The cylinders I used had a pin attachment so I made some metal pegs from the 3/4" flat stock, drilled holes into the and welded them 2" from the joint on the longer wing piece.

After I made small holders for the cylinder bases that connect right to the body made from the 3/4" flat-stock. They are 3 walled compartments made specific to holding the cylinder in place but allowing some wiggle movement for stress release. The boxes were attached on edge at a 45 degree angle. (Angle may vary depending on desired open wing span)

Once attached The wings are now complete and ready for air.

Step 5: The Base and Body Cylinder

The cylinder I used out-mathed me and I added an extension onto my base to keep it all on the same plane. (always mock up your cylinders before cutting expensive material.)

On one end there was angle iron with holes attached to the base of the cylinder so I welded two small sticks to the flat stock to keep the Cylinder in place as it moves.

To the base of the upper body I closed up the box tube with flat stock then welded a nut to the surface for a connection to the cylinder.

Once it was in everything is now in place for the pneumatic testing.

Step 6: In Action!

Using 2 3/5 valves I am able to operate the body and wings independently of each other. I do not recommend using the different sizes of tubing, search out pieces that are homogeneous to make your piece more clean looking. Afterwards I added 12 ga. wire pieces at joints in order to keep them from hyper extending.

Thank you for checking out my work and stay tuned for more updates on this piece.