Levers and Cranes
In this class we will explore the potential of levers and cranes for kinetic machines
The fundamental law of threads
You can pull something with a string, but you can't push it.
That's common sense. And no computer knows it.
(Marvin Minsky)
Threads between two points
Using a threads to transmit information:
- stick: symmetric with respect to push and pull
- thread: pull, yes. push, no.
- Can you build an anti-thread? (i.e. pull no, push no)
Sliders
Sliders are bars that connect transmit a motion by sliding back and forth
- Getting to know the concept of degrees of freedomn
- How can we make sure a bar only goes back and forth?
- What other constructions can you think of?
- What kind of constraints are imposed by your constructions?
Levers
Levers are bars that transmit a motion by rotating around a hinge
- What practical applications of levers can you think of?
- Explore different setups and their properties
- How many points are involved, and how are they arranged?
- How many different setups can you find?
- How are the involved forces and distances related?
- Which setups are suitable for which purposes?
Linkages
Linkages are bars that are connected via hinges.
- how would you create rotating hinges using bars of wood and screws?
- can you create a hinge using thread and what are the limitations?
- create a linkage that can draw interesting curves
Links
Levers
Linkages
- Mathematics of Linkages
- Folding (Eric Demaine's folding class including 1D-folding)
- Linkage Designer (Windows only)
Kinematic Models
- KMODDL Geometry of Pure Motion
- 507 Movements
Wheels and Pulleys
In this class we will explore the potential of wheels and pulleys for kinetic machines
Links
Wheels and Pulleys
Cyclic Motion
Combined Cyclic Motion
- Cycloid Drawing Machine
- Wheels on Wheels on Wheels
- Vignette Explorer
- Lord Kelvin's Harmonic Synthesizer
- Batman Curve Tracing
- Lissajous Music
Mechanical Calculators
- Mechanical Computers from the US Navy + Manual
- Mechanical Binary Calculator
- DigiComp II by Evil Mad Scientist
- DigiComp II manual
- Open University Bobcat
- Domino Computer
- Dynamic Labyrinths by Forschungsinstitut für Mathematikdidaktik Uni Osnabrück
- Nürnberger Schere
Unconventional Computers
Models and Tools
Looms and Logic
In this class we will explore the potential of looms for computing with thread
Links
Paper Computation
- CARDIAC (Paper Computer)
- Paper Enigma
- Cardboard Plotter by Roy Robotics
- Papercomp 2010 Proceedings (mostly augmented reality)
Textile Computation
- A Computational Model of Knitting by Martin Schneider
- Kairotic The Weaving codes - Coding Weaves project
- Crafted Logic by Ebru Kurbak and Irene Posch
- Tanglebots a Workshop about failed Weaving by Dave Griffith
- Swarm Weaving by Flora Robotica
Cellular Automata
- Z1 by Konrad Zuse
- Rechnender Raum by Ralf Baecker
- Memory Machines by Ralf Baecker
Human Computation
- Computing without Computers (Link list by Golan Levin)
- Computer Science Unplugged
Excursion
A trip to Kassel to visit the exhibiton + attend the talk of Ralf Baecker and Georg Trogemann