Paper Mechanism Multi-pack Downloads Kits

Rob Ives over at Flying Pig has created a pack of three models for one price.

If you are interested in paper engineering or paper automata, this is a great value. It's also a great way to break into automata, requiring few tools and relatively little time.

The first is the gear model that uses only cardboard to make a fully working mechanism with two gears.

The second model is a working set of bevel gears made completely from card-stock paper.

Pump the paper bellows on the third model and the rotor spins.

Head over the download section of Flying-pig.co.uk to check out this multi-pack kit and a ton of other well-designed paper automaton kits.

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Graceful Papercraft Kinetic Horse Sculpture

This extraordinary piece conveys three important concepts in automaton making.

First, just look at what can be done with paper as the primary material. This could either be a prototype for something later made in metal or wood, or this could be the finished product. Worried about longevity? I have seen a paper/cardboard automaton from the 18th Century that works just fine today.

Second, behold the power of well-considered linkages. The entire complex sequence of motions is driven from a single offset crank in the center of the horse. Very subtle movements, such as the head, are secondary motions. The interdependence of large and small motions gives the horse a very lifelike quality.

Third, while automata may be made of tangibles such as wood, paper, and metal, there is good reason to consider Computer Assisted Design (CAD) when creating them.

Check out some books on Mechanical Linkages, Paper Engineering, and Learning CAD.

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Automaton of Leonardo's Mechanical Hammer

Here's a nice looking model from the folks at PaperPino. This is a paper model made up of 44 parts that can be assembled without glue. A system of removable interlocking pins holds the model together.

From the PaperPino Site:
This is one of the simplest machines designed by Leonardo in order to improve the human performance. A lever connected to the hammer is moved by means of an eccentric cam. At each turn of the handle, the hammer gives a stroke. As a matter of fact, the real hammer is supposed to be powered by a water paddle-wheel. An implementation with a paddle-wheel powered by sand is planned for the next future.

Check out Leonardo's Mechanical Hammer paper model.

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Book: Make Your Own Working Paper Clock

I remember seeing this book at a friend's house when I was a teenager. Neither he nor I had the patience to undertake the project. Years later, this books seems like an amazing way to learn about clocks, clock-making, mechanics, paper engineering...and patience.

The reviews on Amazon about the book/kit/project are illuminating. Among some of the tips I read were the following:

• Consider getting two copies in anticipation of needing to make/remake certain pieces
• Use glue sparingly
• Try a tacky type of glue
  
• Use an X-acto knife and many X-acto blades
  
• Work in many short sessions over time
• Work when you are up to it and can be careful
  
• Have small clips, weights, clamps, and cross-lock tweezers
  
• Be especially careful when constructing the main gears
• Certain parts might benefit from a hardening coat of white glue or Mod Podge
  

The comments reveal that the people who were happy with this project were the ones that really savored the process of building. It is clear that this not an afternoon project. If it is approached as a challenging, educational exercise -- you cannot really fail.

Order the book Make Your Own Working Paper Clock

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Animated Pop-Up Cardboard Theatres

Check out these beautiful little cardboard theatres. There are small pull-tabs that allow you to animate the characters or elements of the scene.

There are three scenes available: the Garden Theatre, the Nutcracker Theatre, and the Santa Theatre.

Visit Hestia House Miniatures to see all three animated pop-up cardboard theatre models.

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Laughing Santa Paper Automaton Kit Download

In time for the holidays, here is an paper animation kit you can download, cut-out, and glue together. This comes to us from the fine folks at Flying-Pig.co.uk who offer paper animation kits of every sort.

Each kit comes with instructions and requires you to have Adobe Acrobat (which is free). You can pay the modest price for the kit with Paypal or a credit card. Then download the file, print it on card stock, and you are ready to start building!

Check out the Laughing Santa Paper Animation Kit.

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Automaton Kits - Make Your Own Wood Automata

Automaton Kits have been added to a page on DugNorth.com. Several wood automata kits from Timberkits are available online. The lower portion of the page also has links to some paper animation kits from Flying Pig Paper Animation Kits.

Kits are a great way to begin building automata. With all of these kits, the tricky design details have already been worked out. You can concentrate on the task of building something you know will work. From there, you may choose to design your own. If you do, these automata related books can help.

Check out the automata kits page on DugNorth.com.

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Counting Sheep - New Paper Automata Kit

The new paper animation kit from Flying Pig Animated paper kits is officially available.

The piece is called Counting Sheep. When the handle on the box is turned, the sheep jump, and a counter is incremented.

A classic ratchet-and-pawl mechanism to drives the counter. Not an easy mechanism to engineer in paper!

Flying Pig offers printed kits and downloads. Order the kits you like, download the file (PDF), print them on card stock, cut them out, and glue them together with white glue. Each kit comes with complete instructions.

Check out Counting Sheep and the other paper animation kits.

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CeraCera Paper Automata Blog

Though not updated in a while, the folks over a CeraCera Paper Automata Kits have also created a blog.

The blog gives a candid look at the process of designing paper automata -- both the failures and successes. There is much one can learn on this site about paper engineering, and how it applies to automata.

Check out some of the posts on CeraCera Design Notes blog. It's fascinating stuff, so hopefully, they will be adding some new posts soon.

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Paper Engineering Blog by Rob Ives

Rob Ives, the genius behind Flying Pig Animation Kits (automata made of paper), has started a blog that chronicles his development process.

Entitled simply Workshop Notes, the blog posts cover his new models, models in the process of being created, his sources of inspiration, and other material of interest to paper engineers.

The picture above is of a nearly completed paper automaton called Counting Sheep.

Visit Workshop Notes to see what Rob Ives is working on now.

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Paper Gears Hank-Cranked Automaton

This model captures the essence of mechanics and automata: the gear.

Build you own working bevel gear made entirely from card stock paper.

Print this model onto thin photocopier card then all you need to make the model are scissors, ruler, Elmer's-type glue and a sharp knife.

This is just one of dozens of excellent paper automata offered by Flying-Pig Paper Animation Kits. Cool stuff like a warded lock, air turbine, and combination locks can all be made with paper!

Click here to view more details

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Downloadable Paper Robot Automaton

Here's a robot for everyone! This is another paper automaton kit from the folks over at Fly-Pig Animation Kits.

Turn the handle and the Robot marches in place dutifully. This may be one of the last robots we have FULL control over.

Print this model onto thin photocopier card-stock then all you need to make the model are scissors, ruler, white glue, and a sharp knife.

Download the Paper Robot (for less than $6) and make one for yourself.

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New Paper Automata Download Shop

Flying-Pig Paper Animation Kits has created a whole new storefront for their downloadable automata. He is offering many of his designs as downloads!

Make your own paper automaton:

STEP 1 - Purchase and download the design of your choice to your computer. Each kit comes as an acrobat file (PDF).

STEP 2 - Print out the illustrated instructions onto regular paper. Then, print the parts pages onto thin card stock.

STEP 3 - Score and cut out the pieces. Glue the parts together with white glue.

In a few hours time, you have your own working automaton!

Downloadable models are paid for using the secure PayPal, so you can order from anywhere in the world using any currency and your order will be with you in minutes.

As of now, there are almost 30 designs to choose from!

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Featured Artist: Ken Hayashi

The Automata / Automaton Blog is thrilled to share with you the work of Japanese automata artist Ken Hayashi. He works primarily in paper.

The site is in Japanese, so for English-speakers some random exploring of the navigation on his site is required. It is well worth it.

The piece shown here is amazing. Here's a link to a movie of the piece in action. The mechanism page for this piece makes me feel that I am witnessing the work of a master.

Here is Ken Hayashi's home page.

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Chomping T-Rex Automaton Picks up Objects

This is The BEST paper automaton idea EVER.

Turn the handle and the Tyrannosaurus Rex reaches down and bites! The T.Rex snatches up any small object placed beneath his mighty paper jaws.

I only wish I thought of this idea!

Follow the illustrated instructions and -- with an evening or two of your time and some white glue -- you can have this little beast.

Check out this Chomping T-Rex Automaton.

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Paper Pirate Automaton

In keeping with all the pirate-based media in the air these days, you might want to check out this paper pirate automaton.

As with many of the models at Flying-pig.co.uk, this is a die cut model for you to pop out and glue together. Follow the fully illustrated instructions and, with an evening or two of your time and some white glue you can have this delightful model for your collection.

Check out Jolly Roger, paper automaton at Flying-pig.co.uk.

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Agreeable Sheep - Free Paper Automaton!

Fying-pig.co.uk is offering a free download of a completely updated version of the Agreeable Sheep model.

Download the free file, print it out, and make the model.

Using a simple cam, this model is the perfect introduction to paper animation kits and to automata-making in general.

When you turn the crank, the sheep responds in the affirmative to any question you ask of it. Great fun!

Visit the Agreeable Sheep page at Flying-pig.co.uk

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Trevithick Locomotive Model with Paper Gears

Though not as well-known a name as Newcomen or Watt, Richard Trevithick was a British inventor and engineer who built the first working railway steam locomotive...in 1801!

Here's a great site that features a model of Trevithick's steam locomotive. The paper gears are very nicely done (as is the entire model).

You can see a gallery of the model and download .PDF plans to make it yourself (for a $5).

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Animated Paper Elephant @ flying-pig.co.uk

The tireless Rob Ives has a new animated paper model for you...

From the site:
Download the model, print it out onto thin card on your own printer, carefully cut out the pieces, glue them together and, with a couple of hours of your time you'll have your own paper elephant. Rock the body back and forth and the elephant raises his trunk in a delightful way!


Here's the link to the Paper Elephant model page.

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Drawing Automaton Made from Paper

I am always impressed with paper automata. It requires a lot of planning and finesse to make one that works well and does something interesting.

This paper automaton by the folks over at Cool4Cats takes paper automata artistry to a whole new level. This automaton draws.

There are a number of famous antique automata that draw pictures, such as those by Jaquez-Droz and Maillardet. There is also at least one contemporary wood automaton by Paul Spooner that draws a simple picture.

This is the first example I have seen of a paper automaton that creates a drawing.

From the Cool4Cats site:
When the handle is turned the artist looks up at his model, then down at his easel and -amazingly- he starts to draw. Keep turning and you'll be amazed to see that he actually does a real pencil drawing of the model on a 'post-it' note! The handle operates a 'worm' gear which in turn drives two large cams. One controls the forwards-and-backwards movement of the artist's arm, the other the 'side-to-side' movements. A series of levers transmit the movements and the combination of both actions results in the drawing.

Visit the Artist Automaton page to learn more or order the kit.

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Roundup of Paper Automata Sources

Here's a list of sites for info on making paper automata:

• Walter Ruffler
  
• Flying Pig
  
• CeraCera
• Barnacle Press
• Optical Toys - (use the Paper Toy link in the upper left)
  
• World Upside Down - (Some for adults only!)
• Simple Automata - (cardboard, mostly)
• Cabaret Mechanical Theatre
• Mechanical Bat
• Baren Presse
  
• Sasatoku Printing
• Paper Engineer's Workshop
• Cool4Cats
• Free Paper Toys Blog

Here are a few books on the subject:

• Paper Automata: Four Working Models to Cut Out & Glue Together

• Automata Too: Four Working Models to Cut Out and Glue Together

• Spooner's Moving Animals or the Zoo of Tranquillity

• Museum of the Mind: Build Your Own Thinking Machine from 192 Pieces of Paper

This post's thread was started over at Make Magazine's Blog

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Flying Spaghetti Monster Automaton

Another funny paper automaton to download, print, and make. A wonderful creation from Rob Ives at flying-pig.co.uk.

From the site:
Turn the handle on this cardboard curiosity and the Flying Spaghetti Monster waves his noodly appendages. Let the pasta power of the FSM help with your tricky decisions, turn the handle and ask yourself "What would Flying Spaghetti Monster Do?"

Here's the link to the Flying Spaghetti Monster Automaton.

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Another Logic Goat - The NOT Goat automaton

Rob Ives at flying-pig.co.uk has added to his offerings of Logic Goats that I posted about earlier. In addition to the AND and OR goats, he is now offering a NOT goat. In the case of the NOT goat, it only nods its head when you are NOT pushing the button on the front.

I really think there is the potential to build the world's first goat-based computer.

Here is the link on to the NOT Logic Goat automaton on the Flying Pig web site.

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5 Best Books for Paper Automaton Plans

Here's a list for people interested in making working paper automata. This is a great way to make your first automaton. It is also good for people that do not have woodworking tools. Older kids, focused kids, or supervised kids can learn a tremendous amount about engineering by making a paper automaton. All but Museum of the Mind contain several complete projects. An afternoon's work and you can have made your very own automaton.

1 - Paper Automata: Four Working Models to Cut Out & Glue Together- Rob Ives

2 - A Handbook of Paper Automata Mechanisms- Walter Ruffler

3 - Automata Too: Four Working Models to Cut Out and Glue Together- Magdalen Bear

4 - Museum of the Mind: Build Your Own Thinking Machine from 192 Pieces of Paper- Paul Spooner

5 - Spooner's Moving Animals or the Zoo of Tranquillity- Paul Spooner

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Goat / Logic Gates in Paper Automata Form

Here's a really interesting combination of expertise: logic gates (the basis of all computing and therefore computers) and paper automata.

Rob Ives -- another of the masters of paper automata -- has created Logic Goats. The OR goat will nod if you press either the first button or the second. The AND goat will only nod if you press the first and the second buttons.

If we could get a NAND and NOR goats and string them all together in complex chains, we might be able to build a Goat-based computer!

Check out, buy and download the Logic Goat Automata at the Flying Pig web site.

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Sand-Powered Automata

Sand powered automata go back hundreds of years, perhaps even more. Rather than turning a crank by hand, sand is loaded into a hopper placed high within the automaton. When released, the sand turns a wheel (very much like a water wheel seen on the side of mills), that then powers the mechanism.

I had the good fortune to see a absolutely delightful sand powered automata form the 1700s recently. (More on this later, so stay tuned.)

Walter Ruffler is one of my fellow automata makers on display at the Charles Museum of Industry in Waltham, Massachusetts. Mr. Ruffler is one a very few masters of the paper automata. He has some recent versions of sand powered automata his site.

Though he has an English version of his site, I could only find the sand powered automata within the German version. There are animated GIF images to show the motions of each automaton.

See the Sand-powered paper automata by Walter Ruffler.

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Wood or Paper Santa Automaton for the Holidays

You may just have time enough to find Woodcraft magazine (Holiday, 2005) and make my exercising Santa automaton.

If that's too ambitious, why not make Rob Ives's paper Santa automaton?

Though it's for sale in Pounds, the amount in U.S. Dollars will come out to about $5.75. Once you pay, you can download the pattern immediately. Open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader (free, if you don't have it already), print it out on some good paper and away you go. This is a great way to keep the kids busy during the pre-holiday -- in school or out!

Visit the Flying Pig page for the Laughing Santa Automaton

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Peeking Pirate Paper Automaton

Here's a great paper automaton from Flying Pig Paper Animation Kits.

From the website:
Turn the handle on this intruiging model and watch as the not so jolly pirate peeps surreptitiously from within his barrel of rum.

It never ceases to amaze me what Rob Ives can do with scissors, ruler, white glue, and a sharp knife.

Visit the Jolly Roger automata kit page

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Flying Bat Paper Automaton for Halloween

Here's a brilliantly designed paper automaton for the October holiday.

BELA the Bat flaps its wings in a realistic way. The bat is life-sized, with a wingspan of over sixteen inches. The design cleverly incorporates a crumbling headstone and rotting trees into the base.

There is one PDF for the instructions and one for the parts.

Build your own flying bat automaton

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Make Your Own Dragon Automaton

Here is a web site that offers an amazing paper automaton project as shareware. You can download the plans and instructions to make this beautiful dragon. Should you choose to make and keep it, you're under the honor's system to pay $5 USD. Sounds like a good deal to me!

Make a slithering Jade Dragon automaton

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Folded Paper Automata

Check out this site with great paper automata. They offer a wide variety of paper-based models by some of the best known paper automaton designers.

Visit the Paper Animations website.

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