4/8/2026 Machine Week
This student tried many ways to network Andre Mamani Week 11 2026
Superwood: (graphene?) superwood article superwood video 600mL H2O Sodium Hydroxide (NAOH 80g) Sodium Sulfite (Na2SO3 40.3g) Add H2O to 1L Removing Lignin and Hemicellulose -> leaves cellulose
Midterm review next week:
On your final project site: Post a system diagram for your project List the tasks to be completed Make a schedule for doing them Schedule a meeting with your instructors for a graded review of these and your weekly assignments
Machine design: Nadya Peek¶
Stationary Parts¶
Stock parts - commercially available, but have to think about suppl;y chain Custom parts - you must make
Fasteners¶
Button head screws have good normal force to hold things down, but stick up Flathead screws are countersunk so they don;t stick up Parts for motion: Shoulder screws - smooth shaft along most of the length to allow for it to act as a rotational axis Dowel pins heat set inserts with heat, but can be removed and reinserted easily L-brackets - for corners Push-in plastic rivets Removable Great for pivot points
Mechanisms a device that transforms input motion into an output motion¶
Joints¶
Revolute allow rotation scissors Prismatic joints Slides, channels Ball-and-socket joints enable pivoting motion Barbie appendages Universal Joints Allow rotation between 2 shafts offset at an angle less than 90 degrees
Cams:¶
Movement following a path created by rotating the path object not at its center
Linkages:¶
scissor linkages
A series of revolute joints that can result in a large amount of movement
Gears¶
To change rotational motion into linear motion To redirect motion To change speed
Bearings¶
Reduce friction on joints Ball bearing, brass couplings
Compliant mechanisms¶
Bending mechanisms video Why Machines That Bend Are Better by Veritasium
Machines:¶
Examples Nadya Peek has made:¶
MTM SNAP 3D printed milling machine for pcb milling POPFAB Briefcase milling machine Cardboard Machine Kit Jubilee Like POPFAB, has kinomatic toolhead mount Has kinematic driver to change tool heads
Designing a machine:¶
Lead screw - slow but lots of force - good for milling Rack and pinion - laser cutter, faster but low force Timing belt- fast, but has backlash error
Lead screw -screw with nut Ball screw reduces friction -like lead screw with recirculating balls Check out this ”threadless ball screw” drive: here
Frame:¶
Think about assembly Glued is fixed Screwed can be disassembled Surdiness: Hold up to travel, crashes, vibration rigidity
Jogin’s presentation:
daisy chains good for neopixels
Group assignment:¶
- Design a machine that includes mechanism + actuation + automation + function + user interface
- Build the mechanical parts and operate it manually
- Activate and automate your machine
- Document the group project and your individual contribution
- Prepare a demonstration of your machines for the next class (Make a back-up video of the demo)
Individual assignment:¶
- Document your individual contribution to the group project
Links from the chat:¶
This vertasium video on bending mechanisms is great click here
great book is also "the way things work"! Should be available in any fablab: linked here
there's also a bbc series around the book: click here
https://ng.cba.mit.edu/neil/23.02.CT/video/stepper.mp4 https://rigaku.com/products/imaging-ndt/x-ray-ct/ct-lab-hx
https://cba.mit.edu/tools/#Rigaku_CT_Lab_HX130
https://fabacademy.org/2025/labs/oshanghai/ I love the machine! Video is awesome, too!
Some of us have an origin, my final project of my vocational training with PID + PLC link from Adrian