Constructing a Crank and Slotted Lever Mechanism in 3 Days

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around suggestions for constructing a scaled model of a mechanism within a limited timeframe of three days. Participants share various ideas for mechanisms that can be built using available materials and machines in a machine shop, focusing on feasibility and creativity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a crank and slotted lever mechanism as their project choice.
  • Another suggests a meat grinder, highlighting the machining processes involved.
  • A can crusher is mentioned as a potential project with an emphasis on ingenuity in design.
  • Various other mechanisms are proposed, including a simple pendulum clock, mechanical and hydraulic floor jacks, a folding ladder, pin tumbler and combination locks, and a windmill-powered well water pump.
  • Additional suggestions include a log-splitter, fly-ball governor, Sterling engine, pencil sharpener, telegraph key, milk separator, construction crane, coffee grinder, music box, and a gyroscope.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about the time required for certain projects and the accessibility of machines.
  • One participant mentions the possibility of making a Wimshurst machine, questioning its functionality and ease of construction.
  • Another participant reflects on a childhood experience with a milk separator, indicating familiarity with the mechanism.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the feasibility of various mechanisms but do not reach a consensus on a single project. Multiple competing views and suggestions remain, with some participants expressing uncertainty about their ability to complete certain projects within the time limit.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss the limitations of time and machine access, with some expressing uncertainty about the complexity of certain mechanisms. There are references to previous projects completed by others, which may influence the choice of mechanisms.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in mechanical engineering, model construction, or those looking for project ideas in a machine shop setting may find this discussion beneficial.

ank_gl
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hey i have got to make a scaled model of any mechanism that we see around(or maybe we don't sometimes) in the machine shop in under 3 days as our summer training project. we are provided with all the raw stuff and machines that one usually sees in machining shop. i have decided to make a crank and slotted lever mechanism(initially thought of making an air gun put our instructor didn't want me to killo:):devil: anyone arpund:smile:).
But if anyone could suggest something more interesting:rolleyes:, i am looking forward to it. please suggest anything that can be made in under 12 hours(thats how much time i have got). i ll start the work on Monday, so i have got 2 days to finalize it. Any suggestion is welcome. i desperately need to do something this time :zzz:
 
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How about a meat grinder?
You can do the screw auger on a lathe, the body and cross-bores on a milling machine, the grid on a drill press, and you still get to make your crank for it. :biggrin:
It's not as dangerous as an airgun, but you can destroy stuff with it. :devil:
 
A can crusher, with your own ingenious force multiplier.
 
meat grinder, can crusher - they are good
 
still any mechanism that you people might want to suggest, i have got 2 days b4 i start. so please give me few more ideas
and thanks berkeman for those links, some yrs back i saw them, but still they are interesting to watch
 
ank_gl said:
meat grinder, can crusher - they are good

Rats. Beaten out by Danger and Wolram again! :blushing:
 
berkeman said:
Rats. Beaten out by Danger and Wolram again! :blushing:

nah, not beaten, actually jack will take some time to build
pendulum clock and Windmill-powered well water pump, other people are making them
but hey, remember you have still got 2 days to beat them:-p:-p:biggrin::biggrin:
 
I don't know how fast you can work (not just your personal pace, but due to limited machine access), so I also don't know how limited your options are. I'll fire up a few more anyhow.
log-splitter; fly-ball governor as is seen on old steam engines (or the whole steam engine, if you can manage it); even better, a Sterling engine; pencil sharpener; Ferrari (nah, that's pushing it); telegraph key; milk separator (although most people have never heard of one); construction crane; coffee grinder; music-box; draughting machine; 3 or 4 speed manual transmission; fishing reel; gyroscope; Roots blower; Vise-Grip type pliers... okay, I'm getting tired now.
 
  • #10
Danger said:
I don't know how fast you can work (not just your personal pace, but due to limited machine access), so I also don't know how limited your options are. I'll fire up a few more anyhow.
log-splitter; fly-ball governor as is seen on old steam engines (or the whole steam engine, if you can manage it); even better, a Sterling engine; pencil sharpener; Ferrari (nah, that's pushing it); telegraph key; milk separator (although most people have never heard of one); construction crane; coffee grinder; music-box; draughting machine; 3 or 4 speed manual transmission; fishing reel; gyroscope; Roots blower; Vise-Grip type pliers... okay, I'm getting tired now.

Show-off :biggrin:
 
  • #11
Hey, I'm at work... so I've got nothing better to do.
 
  • #12
Danger said:
I don't know how fast you can work (not just your personal pace, but due to limited machine access), so I also don't know how limited your options are. I'll fire up a few more anyhow.
log-splitter; fly-ball governor as is seen on old steam engines (or the whole steam engine, if you can manage it); even better, a Sterling engine; pencil sharpener; Ferrari (nah, that's pushing it); telegraph key; milk separator (although most people have never heard of one); construction crane; coffee grinder; music-box; draughting machine; 3 or 4 speed manual transmission; fishing reel; gyroscope; Roots blower; Vise-Grip type pliers... okay, I'm getting tired now.

options are not limited by raw material and machines. i have full access to them
reciprocating engine mechanism, manual transmission, steering mechanism, vice; i suggested but earlier batches did 'em
sterling engine, check this out http://www.qrmc.com/hydralinkanimation.gif .
roots blower; i don't know if i would be able to machine the lobes,(can it be done on CNC, but still we are not allowed to work on CNC)
milk separator (although most people have never heard of one); i am one of them
construction crane, governor and gyro are good
Ferrari; that's pushing me, i would stick to Mclaren Merc:-p
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #13
  • #14
ank_gl said:
milk separator (although most people have never heard of one); i am one of them

I don't actually expect you to make one, but for curiosity's sake here's what I mean. Specifically the red one part-way down the page. There's a second link in the description that shows how it works. Basically, it's just a specialized centrifuge.
http://http://dairyantiques.com/Cream_Separators_1.html"
Actually, I'm quite offended that something I used regularly as a kid is considered a museum piece.

Nice link, by the way; I've never seen an engine like that one.

Wooley, your link doesn't work for me. :frown:

edit: Must be a problem with this stupid work computer. My own link doesn't work for me either.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #15
  • #16
Danger said:
Actually, I'm quite offended that something I used regularly as a kid is considered a museum piece.

now i remember, my grandma used to have one. it was made of wood and it was quite simple to make actually
 

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