Showing posts with label Printable Analog Sine/Cosine Calculating Machine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Printable Analog Sine/Cosine Calculating Machine. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Introducing the Ideal Harmonic Transformer

I needed a simple project to use while getting more familiar with Alibre. My husband suggested I make a simple sin-cosine machine. We were inspired by a documentary of a mechanical fire control computer for a ship that we had recently seen posted on Boing-Boing. Simple. I keep thinking about that word. But all designers know that simple is not easy. I will eventually post more of the intermediate steps of this design's evolution.

First, I made one that I thought would work. It sort of did, but lead to a series of improvements until it worked nicely. Then I got thinking how pretty that bracket was, and how cool this simple design could look if I added a few aesthetic features. Well, here it is. The dome is printing right now. I have the bezel assembled, with the central arm in place. There may be a few minor issues that I'll need to address, but I'm ready to call this done!

I don't think it's simple any more, but I like it. :)