WEEK 16

16. Mechanical Design

  • Make a machine, including the end effector - group assignment

    • This week we have to built a machine using the Gestalt modules provided. Since this is a group assignment and we have four complete axis system with a stepper and a gestal node, we decided to split in two groups of five and make two different 2-axis machines. One will be a lathe and the other a plotter.

    Building a Machine That Makes Zen Gardens

    My group worked on the plotter idea and we evolved it in a machine that can draw into sand using a wooden tip, creating a zen garden.
    This is how it works:

  • We feed the machine with an SVG drawing
  • The machine drops a wooden tip using a servo motor
  • The wooden tip goes into the sand (or sugar) layed in a plate
  • The machine moves the wooden tip following SVG directions
  • An "X" is drawn where the stone has to be placed
  • A 3D printed stone is manually placed on every "X's"
  • Take the plate away and enjoy your Zen Garden


    • My accomplishments

  • I designed the machine's structure in Autocad
  • Lasercut it in 4mm plywood and assembled it
  • Made the wooden tip on a lathe
  • Designed and lasercut the Japanese style plate
  • Tested sand and sugar
  • Designed and 3D printed the Stones

    • I used Autocad to design the machine out of 4mm plywood. I used the rhinoceros file provided on the [m]MTM page. I put great effort in optimyzing the cut path

    The machine is basically a 2-axis plotter on four legs so that one can put it over any plate/vase containing sand.

    The engraved top is removeable to access the electronics.

    The engraved top is removeable to access the electronics.

    The machine features four adjustable feet to change elevation.

    Production of the wooden tip on the lathe (actually a drill press)

    Refining the wooden tip.

    Wooden tip attached to a gear controlled by a servo motor.

    Wooden tip attached to a gear controlled by a servo motor.

    Detail of the wooden plate designed in the fashion of a Japanese Torii Gate

    Small rocks designed in Rhino and 3D printed.

    A completed Zen Garden drawn in sugar, with rocks put over the "X's"

    A completed Zen Garden drawn in sugar, with rocks put over the "X's"

    A complete video showing the features of the Machine that Makes Zen Gardens

    Files available here

  • Lasercut project dxf
  • 3D stones stl