diverse(1)

Several MECCANO models.

The do-nothing-thing

or the machine that did nothing.

The model shown here was an experiment to demonstrate that a computer and a "CENTRONIC" interface can, in a very simple way be used to control the rotating sense of the three lower motors in the model.

I built this model in April 2000 and it was shown at the Spring M.G.N. meeting in Ede.

The model consists of four electromotors as shown in the photographs. The three lower motors are fitted with six-hole bushwheels, 24C, to show that they are rotating and in which sense. These motors are designated A, B and C. The upper motor or drive motor, is also fitted with a six-hole bushwheel, 24C, to which 3 plastic spacers, 38A, are fastened by means of Allen bolts of appropriate length.

The operation of the model is as follows:
The upper motor is activated by pushing a button at the side of the model. It rotates slowly at about 20 rpm. The plastic spacers on the bushwheel temporarily close a micro-switch, at the top of the model. The closing of the switch signals the computer program to advance to the next step in the controlling loop. This loop has ten steps, each with a different combination of rotating senses. After the last step the loop is started again. The program can be stopped by hitting a key on the computer's keyboard.

See chart hereunder for the ten different states of the machine.

Motor	A	B	C
Step 1	Right	X	X
Step 2	Right	Right	X
Step 3	Right	Right	Right
Step 4	X	Right	Right
Step 5	Left	X	Right
Step 6	Left	Left	X
Step 7	Left	Left	Left
Step 8	X	Left	Left
Step 9	X	X	Left
Step 10	X	X	X

The Bubble blower

This bubble blowing machine is not of my own design. I saw this model on the Web site of Nigel Pope who is one of the many excellent Meccano model builders in the U.K. I constructed this model in the summer of 2000 and incorporated some small modifications.

The model operates as follows:
A motor drives a wheel equipped with paddles trough a plastic bowl filled with a mixture of water and a dish washing detergent or any other mixture that can be used to produce bubbles". The bowl is hidden in the lower section of the model. Each time one of the four paddles almost reaches the point where the fan is located the fan is activated and provides sufficient airflow to create a soap bubble. That the machine really works can be seen hereunder in the picture at the right.

the "One Way Drive".

Output rotation independent of input.

This model was first made by Tony Darrah from the UK who also supplied the drawings and the description by these drawings. He wrote into the heading:
Several years ago I needed such a device for a model and I found this a particularly smooth running little mechanism, quite easily adapted to fit in larger models. Whichever way you turn the input shaft, the output will only rotate in the one direction. I hope it is of use to someone.

So I have made this model by my self and it works very good. Most people are puzzled to see that the wheel always rotates in the same direction.

General details as follows:

All gears are 19T Pinions (26).

Unit A:
The whole unit fits inside the angle girders on the Base Unit - in the holes YY and XX. The Fishplate (10) labelled 'M' should be adjusted so that the small hole, to journal the rod CC, is as far to the right as possible in the elongated holes of the Flat Girder (103h). The output shaft DD is journalled in the holes of the yellow Corner Brackets (133a).

Unit B:
Rod AA is the input shaft - journalled in the two silver Corner Brackets (133a) fixed to the Base Unit - in the position ZZ. The Rod BB is at least 1.25" long - as is the rod at the other end of the unit. The length helps to prevent the unit rotating too far.

The pinion on shaft CC needs to mesh with the pinion on shaft BB when Unit B rotates upwards, therefore it needs to be on the circumference of the rotation of Unit B - thus the need for the shifted position of the Fishplates.