Elliptical Orrery v1.0

thingiverse

A computer controlled orbit simulator. It could also be used for non-elliptical paths. It was built to let students practice photometry in a physics lab setting. http://youtu.be/okWp-dryx_8 Instructions Mill the dxf parts out of 12mm or 1/2" flatstock. Pockets for steppers and bearings are 6mm or 1/4" deep. The legs are just 2x4's. Hardware:Old work round boxLight socketBig bulbM8x50 button head cap screw (5/16"-2" will work)M8 nut (5/16" will work)M8 washer (1/2" will work)2 608 skate bearings8 M3x102 Nema17 steppersControl board w/ 2 stepper driversPower supply for control board2 6" turn tables http://www.homedepot.com/p/Shepherd-6-in-Lazy-Susan-Turntable-9548/100180572#.UivaAMasiSo Drive Gears Assembly: Tap the printed parts into the matching gears. Install steppers onto orrery. They won't be able to be installed after you push on the gears. To push on the gears you have to soften the plastic. Place the gears in an oven at the lowest setting. Take out at minute interval and tap the plastic part on a hard surface. A couple minutes after the sound changes to a dull thud you are ready to press the gears on. (If you aren't careful, you can severely deform the plastic if it is left unattended.) Gear Plate Assembly: The only thing I left out is access holes so you can screw down the turn tables. I am going to claim that is because I didn't want to stick you with a specific turn table. You can borrow the electronics and some steppers from a 3D printer. Modify the firmware so 100mm of virtual travel corresponds to 1 rotation of a big gear. Use the python program I uploaded to make gcode files.