A STEM Project: A Cam Mechanism That Moves A Rod Horizontally

 

A Cam Mechanism that Moves a Rod Horizontally 

Here is the mechanism in action.

The cam is an eccentric circular cam. The cam is off center when placed on the axle. This causes the follower bridge to moves left to right horizontally with a continuous oscillating motion.

Here is the PDF. I used 65 lb cardstock.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10QchYnxUAFaRL-XPYnQ4I3Cs2y5UNFv4/view?usp=sharing

Here is the .Studio file for the Silhouette.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/16A1j1QEL43LuCJzKsgvYQVwD1Bjejr4a/view?usp=sharing

Here is the SVG for all other cutting machines. The file goes beyond the viewable area.  Zoom out to see the entire file.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19fXTWn66ZI0DGlmWGGfHFRqdRt7K-Y0m/view?usp=sharing

Make the Small Presentation Box

Crease the sides. Apply glue as shown and adhere the tab.  There is no glue on the left and right of the trapezoid.  This is necessary so that this piece can slide into the side of the box.  Repeat for the second side.

Crease the box as shown above. Apply glue and adhere the glue where applied. The box will become three sided.

Apply glue as shown above. Adhere the bottom first and then the sides.  The top edge on each side is slid into the top triangle. Repeat for the second side.

Make the slider bridge by applying glue to the two top tabs and the sides.

Adhere the glue to create the structure shown above.

Make the axle and the rod.  Applying glue to both and adhere into prisms.  The ends of the rod are glued down.

Glue the rod to the center of the slider bridge.

Splay the V's of the eccentric circular cam as shown above.  Apply glue to one side and adhere the other side by aligning the squares.

Slide the cam onto the axle.

Insert the axle with the cam into the box. Slide the decorative gear onto the end of the axle.  Apply glue to the axle tabs and adhere to the decorative gear.  Repeat for the other side of the box.

Make a handle for the second decorative gear as shown above.

Glue on the handle to the decorative gear.

Apply glue to the decorative gears and adhere one to each side of the box.

Side of box.

Slide the slider bridge into the top slot of the box and slide the bridge over the cam.  

This is the view of the cam as it is now sandwiched by the slider bridge.

Apply glue to the rod stabilizer.

Glue the rod stabilizer to the top of the box as shown above. Allow the glue to dry before operating the cam mechanism.