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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Four Motor Spirograph

Kevlar

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I've seen a lot of spirograph builds, and quite honestly, better than mine but I decided to post anyhow. Hopefully it will help some people in regards to these builds.

First I'd like to say I built this as cheap as I could, and it's certainly not the smallest.

I decided to make it 4 motors, and if I had to do it over again, I'd stick with 3. I really didn't notice very much difference between 3 and 4 motors as far as patterns go but sometimes lining up that 4th motor isn't worth the trouble.

2011-03-12_16-25-14_852-a.jpg


The pic above shows the top. Red circles = pots. Blue circles = DPDT switches. White circle = switch between batteries or DC adapter. And you can see the binding post for connecting the DC adapter.

Here is a pic of the underside of the top:

2011-03-12_16-25-59_979.jpg


All four motors are reversible. IMO, this is a must for spirographs. The ability to reverse the motors gives many more patterns.

2011-03-12_16-26-10_53.jpg


The above pic is of the insides. The black things are "D" size battery holders. I purchased 3 tenergy 10,000 mAh NiMH batteries to run it but they still don't provide enough current. I believe tenergy makes a 20,000 mAh, those might work.

That is one thing I suggest for anyone building one is to measure the current load of the motors BEFORE soldering it all up because not only did my batteries not provide enough current, neither did my DC adapter!!!

I was using the adapter picture below:
2011-03-12_16-24-48_625.jpg

rated at 1A but that wasn't enough. So I dug in my box of junk and found this one:
DSCN3151.jpg

It provides enough current but too much voltage so I ended up using two 1N5401 rectifier diodes in series to drop the voltage and it worked perfect.

For the layout I placed the 50mW 532 module in there first. I then used double-sided sticky tape to hold the motors on the blocks, positioned them and marked their position with a pencil.

I had trouble getting good mirrors. I ordered some round front surface mirrors and they were the worst quality I've ever seen so then I decided to try to make my own using hard drive disc platters. But with my motors sitting far away from each other the HD disc platters were too small. Finally I ordered a square sheet of good quality acrylic front surface mirror. I used a drill press to cut out the size circle I wanted. (I still have some left over if anyone is interested).

Mounting the mirrors was another issue. I tried using hot glue but It just wouldn't stick well enough or I couldn't get it to set with the mirror at an optimal angle. So this is what I came up with:

2011-05-09_20-18-02_171.jpg


I glued a poker chip to the back of the mirrors. The motors I used have a gear on them. I heated up the gear with my mini-torch and pressed into the poker chip. Worked like a charm.

I'm didn't post and pics of the patterns or video because there a hundreds of videos of spirographs on you tube, mine doesn't look much different.

I used a 3 position (center off) DPDT switch for each motor. Here is a diagram on how to wire it so the motor will spin in both directions:

dpdtswitch.gif


And to spiff it up I painted it, put handles on it, latches so I can open the lid easily, and of course, warning stickers.

2011-05-09_20-17-18_404.jpg


I learned a lot building this. If anyone feels I've left anything out please let me know. If anyone has any questions I'll try and help.

Thanks for looking!! :wave:

EDIT: I originally found this helpful guide on a different website but the author has also posted it on LPF, here is the link:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f51/tutorial-four-motor-compact-laser-spirograph-51363.html

EDIT, here a a couple of vids. Sorry about the quality, I can't find my video camera so I had to use my Nikon point & shoot.



 
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Nice use of poker chips, I like it. Good idea with heating up and melting to the chip
 

Kevlar

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That case is very cool.;)

Thanks! I had a hard time thinking of what to use so I decided to just build one. ;)


Might I ask what potentiometers these are and are they good, i.e. can they
regulate from a full stop to full speed in a somewhat linear fashion?

I assume you've already seen my own very recent implementation:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f42/spirograph-765th-63575.html
Yours looks much better though.:)

The pots are these: 25-Ohm 3-Watt Rheostat - RadioShack.com. I think they do a great job of controlling the speed in a linear fashion but not to a complete stop. They do slow the speed down to a very low RPM.

I like you build, you made great use of what you had laying around. :beer: When I saw your thread it reminded me I've been meaning to post my for a while now.

You forgot to make a video of it in use :(

+! for great work!

Thanks! :beer: I didn't post any video because I figured most have seen these in action and if they haven't, there are hundreds of videos out there. I just didn't think mine looked much different but if enough people want a video I can do that.

Nice use of poker chips, I like it. Good idea with heating up and melting to the chip

Thanks! :beer:
 
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+2 your way when I can--im bookmarking this--next noob wanting spoonfeeding spiro will get a link- .mine will be different. making a pair- 3 motors each plus one more mirror on voice coil bouners.

Just like Lumia wheel --spiro -liq. sky and tunnel efx- fun and easy-and making a come back-

"Do try this at Home"

and way better than 'playing' with pointers in public and pissing people off.

good job TY for all of it.

hak
 
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Kevlar

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Thanks Len! :beer:

The mirror idea on the coil sounds like a great idea. Very easy to implement and will have a great effect.

These are pretty fun to plan, build, and use. You can sit there for some time trying all the different motor speed/direction combinations.
 
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My first labby was in 1985 IIRC a friend put his 2mW red HeNe on a board with two motors and the switches and pots to change speeds and direction. When he brought it to one of my parties I made such a fuss over it he decided to 'loan' it to me as the only place he had to play with it was my house. After some time it was mine-Wish I still had it- a tragic accident broke the tube and when I got booted from my house without much advance notice I tossed it out--- DUMB move!!!. Had I known then what I know now ... well you know.

Here's an original idea- a tunnel efx /spiro with Liq. Sky and a few speaker bouncers..and three colors of lasers(of course)..J/K
 
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Very good, I love the drawings that make your spirograph.

Simple, well built and with very good results
swgc1o
 




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