Task:
Design a themed mechanical toy or sculpture that combines story and function
This automata tells a simple story of a flying fish and a marlin. It works well as a display piece but also offers a pleasant and mesmerizing viewing experience when operated.
Just turn the crank in either direction and watch as the flying fish flies away from a marlin all while small waves rhythmically roll up and down.
With an idea in mind initial sketches were developed to map out functionality and form. A mechanism using cams and gears was mapped out to drive the wave motion and fish. And the overall size and shape of the finished product was conceived.
The mechanism was created in Fusion 360. This design worked but turned out to be a little too complicated and had to be simplified and after discussion a system of just cams derived. Using just cams it would be easy to make sure that everything moved and flowed freely without need for Excessive sanding.
A frame and moving elements were sketched and designed using Fusion 360. The Dimensions of all the parts needed to be precise because the sketches will later be used to laser cut the final physical parts.
Dxf files of all the sketches were imported to Adobe Illustrator to be used by the laser cutter. All the parts where split up between 6 sheets of 1/4 inch MDF board.
With the MDF boards cut the assembly process began. Parts were sanded and put together using wood glue.
After assembling the wave function it was repeatedly tested to make sure that it was running smoothly and no parts needed to be sanded or adjusted further.
When the wave elements were finished being assembled the parts for the fish were assembled and added to the model along with the wires to create the wing flapping and the cams that drove the motion of the marlin.
