Machine mechanisms

We've been thinking about the designs for the mechanisms involved in operating the machines. For the boot machine we are going to be using an age old camshaft system applying the same principle effectively as what drives the pistons up and down in any engine (below).

As the two cams will rotate on the rod attached to the windscreen wiper motor, the hitters that strike the boot machine will be pivoted back before falling when the cam rotates past its peak (there will be a big drop to have a sudden release movement unlike with the piston example above which requires a smooth transition). These two cams can be adjusted so that the hitters strike the tank at different times and tempos (relative to the size, shape and positioning of the cams).

For the praxinoscope I have devised a plan to use the backend of a childs bike (crank, chain and wheel) which will be mounted on its side and driven at the crank by a windscreen wiper motor. This will in turn drive the back wheel, spinning the praxinoscope barrel mounted on top. This not only should look great within the installation but give us a smooth and reliable movement.

For both devises, 12v windscreen wiper motors will be used, the boot machine also requires a motor and spool to lower the microphone into the water from above.