How can I build a functional gyroscope?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the construction of a functional gyroscope, including inquiries about materials and design considerations. Participants share ideas and resources related to building a gyroscope, focusing on both theoretical and practical aspects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks information on how to build a gyroscope and what materials to use.
  • Another participant inquires whether the gyroscope will be gimbaled in all three axes, suggesting a link to a Wikipedia article for further reading.
  • A later reply confirms the intention to gimbal in all three axes but expresses willingness to simplify to two axes if necessary.
  • Another participant references an MIT physics lecture demonstrating a gyroscope, noting its crude appearance but good balance, and emphasizes the importance of adjustable gimbal axes for achieving balance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of detail in their responses, but there is no clear consensus on specific construction methods or materials. Multiple approaches and considerations are presented without resolution.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not specified particular materials or detailed construction techniques, and there are assumptions regarding the balance and adjustment of gimbal axes that remain unaddressed.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in DIY projects, physics enthusiasts, and students looking for practical applications of gyroscopic principles may find this discussion relevant.

Mange
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I need to build a working gyroscope. Where can I find information on how to build one? also what materials to use to build it? Any Ideas?
 
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Mange said:
I need to build a working gyroscope. Where can I find information on how to build one? also what materials to use to build it? Any Ideas?

Are you going to gimbal it in all 3 axes?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyroscope

.
 
yeah, all three. But if I can't seem to do that, then just two.
 
Mange said:
I need to build a working gyroscope. Where can I find information on how to build one? also what materials to use to build it? Any Ideas?

In an MIT physics lecture by professor Walter Lewin with lots of demonstrations you see a gyroscope that has clearly been manufactured by the faculty's workshop. It looks crude, but it's pretty well balanced. http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8-01-physics-i-classical-mechanics-fall-1999/video-lectures/embed24/" Shift the indicator of the progress bar to 44 minutes into the lecture.

Look at the yellow housing. The bearings for the gimbal axes are set in blocks, and by the looks of it those blocks can be shifted if necessary. That way the gimbal axes can be postioned in such a way that the gyroscope wheel is balanced. It seems to me that is the key: build it in such a way that you can tweak the position of the gimbal axes relative to the housing.
 
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