At home engineering fun. disc and rod drum driver

In summary, the conversation discusses the use of a drum head and rod to achieve a particular motion. The rod goes up and down as the radius of a disc changes length, resulting in a gradual raise and abrupt drop with a kink that needs to be overcome. Suggestions for achieving this motion include using a round disk with a peg or a tear/kidney shaped disc with a generous radius. More complex solutions involve spring loading and using a reverse disk.
  • #1
JasonLA
2
0
I am driving a drum head with a rod. The rod goes up and down as the radius of a disc changes length (please see attached PDF). There is a gradual raise of the drum head, and then an abrupt drop. But there is a kink that the rod needs to overcome.

Any suggestions on how to achieve this motion?

thanks
Jason
 

Attachments

  • disc.pdf
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  • #2
Are you attempting to get that gradual change in the linear motion or do you want a straight cyclical motion? If just a cyclical motion is desired, use a round disk with a peg at some radius from the center. Attach the rod end to the pin. That will give you a smooth cyclical motion.

If you want that gradual change, how about making the cam a tear drop shape with a generous radius at both ends?
 
  • #3
There are more complex solutions I can give you, but the simplest thing is to spring load it down and lift it with a reverse disk.
 
  • #4
I also think the tear/kidney shaped disc is the way to go.

thanks for all of your suggestions.
 

Related to At home engineering fun. disc and rod drum driver

1. What is "At home engineering fun - disc and rod drum driver"?

"At home engineering fun - disc and rod drum driver" is a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) activity that involves building a simple machine using a disc and rod to create a rotating drum. It is a fun and educational way to learn about engineering principles and simple machines.

2. What age group is this activity suitable for?

This activity is suitable for children ages 8 and up, but can also be enjoyed by adults. It is a great way for families to engage in hands-on learning and have fun together.

3. What materials are needed for this activity?

The materials needed for this activity include a disc (such as a CD or DVD), a rod (such as a chopstick or pencil), a cardboard tube, tape, and a small motor (optional). Other materials such as markers, stickers, or paint can also be used to decorate the disc and drum.

4. Can this activity be modified for different skill levels?

Yes, this activity can be modified for different skill levels. For younger children, the disc and rod can be pre-made and the focus can be on decorating and assembling the drum. For older children or adults, more complex designs can be created and the activity can also involve troubleshooting and problem-solving challenges.

5. What are the educational benefits of this activity?

This activity has multiple educational benefits, including promoting creativity and critical thinking skills, introducing basic engineering principles, and providing hands-on learning experience. It also encourages teamwork and communication, as well as developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

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