The Link

The Brief

Produce a 3D-printed automaton that effectively integrates mechanisms and machine elements to perform an engaging representation of a cause, consequence, or solution of contemporary climate change.

My Inspiration

• My starting point for illustrating the causes and implications of climate change was to capture the increase in global average temperatures owing to the build-up of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere as a result of the use of fossil fuels in the economy.

• To illustrate rising temperatures, my first thought was to make a thermometer that would go up and down with time and economic activity.

• To show the connection to burning fossil fuels, I thought a pumpjack - an iconic symbol of the oil and gas industry - would constitute a great representation, which I incorporated into my design.

• As the solution to the problem, I envisaged the pumpjack stopping and the thermometer going back down which entailed designing a clutch system that would engage and disengage at either end of the thermometer.

• This design incorporated all the points in the brief and made sense as a concept so it was taken forward.

Skills Developed

• Machine elements - I learned about many different types of gears, cams and ratchets, which I applied to the design.

• Linkage - Learning about linkages as a design tool was very helpful. I explored the Linkage software and also linkages in SolidWorks.

• CAD - The assembly for this project was quite large so top-down assemblies had to be used to make design manageable