SGBIS Art, Design & Technology Investigation, Extension & Challenge Unit Year 7 Design & Technology:
Mechanisms
SGBIS Year 7 DT : Mechanisms Year 7 Mechanisms Project During this project you will do lots of hands on testing and experimentation with model mechanisms to understand how they work. You will investigate how mechanisms are put together to form systems and machines that are used to make our lives easier. You will analyse everyday products to see how mechanisms have been applied.
After researching the work of various artists and craftsmen you will design your own circus themed automata. After experimenting with illustration styles you will create paper/card mechanisms to help you to plan your own automata before manufacturing your finished product from a variety of materials as appropriate. Take a quick look at this fantastic site to get you thinking http://www.cabaret.co.uk/
How to make a cam toy exercise: http://www.technologystudent.com/cams/camt1.htm Before you start to design your own automata you need to understand what mechanisms are and how they work.
A mechanism is a device which transmits energy in the form of movement. A mechanism changes an input force and movement into an output force and movement. If we connect mechanisms together we can build mechanical systems which we call machines that make our lives easier or more comfortable. The technological advances humans have made through the ages, have been closely linked with their ability to harness energy and use it to perform mechanical work. Although humans are very clever creatures, our size, structure and muscles put severe limitations on what we can do. To understand machines we need to look at the mechanisms used to build them.
SGBIS Year 7 DT : Mechanisms How do mechanisms work?
Detailed booklets are used in class to accompany your testing of model mechanisms. You will need to look carefully at these sheets as you test various mechanisms, filling in and labelling the diagrams to illustrate inputs, outputs and the types of movement used. http://msc-ks3technology.wikispaces.com/Automata%2C+Mechanical+Toys Mechanisms use one of these four basic movements, either on their own or combined There are four types of motion: Linear Motion is the motion in a straight line
Rotary Motion is the motion in a circle
Oscillating Motion is motion backwards and forwards in an arc
Reciprocation Motion is motion backwards and forwards in a straight line
SGBIS Year 7 DT : Mechanisms You will use class activity sheets to help you to start to construct model cams, levers and linkages. And can watch animations like this one to help you to understand how mechanisms work. Below are some examples of pupil’s experimental modelling with levers and linkages.
Now the creative fun really starts! Using the theme of the circus you will research images to help you to design, plan and manufacture a creative automata using a variety of materials and incorporating a combination of mechanisms. You may even want to incorporate a character based yourself or someone you know. A high quality of presentation is encouraged. The images shown here are to provide initial inspiration for characters for your automata but you are expected to present individual research images to develop and personalise your idea.
You may want to create a stylised image and could look at the work of artists/filmakers such as Tim Burton or Aardman animation.
SGBIS Year 7 DT : Mechanisms Now have a look at the work of these artists for inspiration. Pay particular attention to the mechanisms involved, the materials used and the aesthetics (appearance) of the automata and mechanical toys.
) Keith Newstead
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IPXd3hN8FY
Frank Nelson
http://youtu.be/ouaZ8f5BskI
http://blog.dugnorth.com/2008/05/automaton-maker-frank-nelsons-new.html http://www.dugnorth.com/blog/uploaded_images/Hazell-Monday-Morning-763268.jpg Paul Spooner http://www.cabaret.co.uk/artists/paul-spooner/ The spaghetti eater http://youtu.be/BKo2yGwbS_g Melanie Tomlinson (carnival inspired automata) http://www.melanietomlinson.co.uk/gallery/automata.htm You will need to sketch, plan and model your ideas before manufacturing them. You may create a flow chart to help you to do this and build in quality control checks to help you to produce a good standard of finish. http://msc-ks3technology.wikispaces.com/Manufacture+%26+Quality+Control This interactive animation shows you how a cam toy works (LINK)
On this link there's of lots of information on cams, linkages and levers, even gears! Plenty to support ideas including animations and pictures of moving toys. http://www.topicbox.org.uk/design_and_technology/moving_toys/ Here are lots more links to provide help and inspiration: http://www.cabaret.co.uk/day-35-the-temptation-of-st-anthony-after-salvador-dali/ Use this link to another wiki site showing how to make automata https://wikis.engrade.com/dtprelim11/pdt04
SGBIS Year 7 DT : Mechanisms http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zy5B_bzNlD4 5 examples of cam toys http://www.technologystudent.com/cams/cam5.htm Here are further links to web pages about mechanisms, mechanical toys and automata: http://automata.co.uk/
http://www.cabaret.co.uk/
http://www.mechanical-toys.com/
http://www.flying-pig.co.uk/
http://barkingdogsautomata.homestead.com/home.htm http://www.dugnorth.com/automaton_kits.aspx l http://www.technologystudent.com/cams/camdex.htm
http://www.mechanicalmonkey.co.uk/
http://www.walterruffler.de/index1.html
http://www.animatedworksheets.co.uk/webgate.htm l Extension tasks
1. In the summer of 2012 year 7 pupils designed carnival outfits that incorporated levers and linkages. Here are some examples of work in progress and the resulting fantastic carnival outfits being worn in the Zoa fashion show. Perhaps, you could plan something fantastic like this as an extension task.
2. Create a complimentary pull/push along toy that uses mechanisms to create moving parts. 3. Produce a set of illustrated instructions or a film that explains how to make an automata.