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Project Information

Kinestrata, whose roots translate to "motion layers" was a six month effort. The machine's 390 parts took roughly 400 hours to design and construct, and over 100 more to document. Kinestrata is fully mechanical, weight and escapement driven, contains four unique tracks, operates continuously for one minute per wind, and is roughly 11×17 x 5 inches in size. It is built primarily from various thicknesses of baltic birch plywood, but also relies on aluminum tubes, stainless steel rods and fasteners, and brass tubes for structure, pivots and bearing surfaces, as well as power and audible tones. Kinestrata's lift mechanism is powered by a 2.5 lb stainless steel weight, and its timing is regulated by a pendulum and graham escapement that are neatly tucked in the back of the machine. The lift mechanism carries nearly a dozen 1/2" stainless steel balls at once, handing each ball off to the next highest lifter ring before eventually releasing them down the tracks. As Kinestrata runs, the wind weight rises, the main weight falls, balls journey up and race down, and chimes play, all to the steady beat of lifters.

Here's a video of Kinestrata in action:


New HD video:


Plans are available at http://www.derekhugger.com/kinestrata.html

Gallery

Comments

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Wow this is an amazing piece great job.
 

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Sounds like a great way to spend your Zen time.
I used to spin wool then weave blankets. This meant I individually created each thread then placed them one at time until it was a blanket. Sounds insane, but in fact it was my escape from the world and my form of meditation.

Natalie
 

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Awesome! I love it. Great build. Gives me more ideas for my bucket list ;-)) as if I need any more!

Welcome to LJ! What else do you have up your sleeve ;-))
 

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WOW!
What else can I say?
WOW!

I will soon be working on my third marble machine, but none of them are anywhere near as elaborate as this.
It appears to me that the inner workings are more like a finely built wooden gear clock than a traditional marble machine. That gives it a WOW factor that makes the ones I've built pale in comparison.
 

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I gotta ask.
Did you design this or work from plans?
Whether you did or not, are plans available?
I doubt I'd ever attempt this one, but I'd buy the plans just to study the workings of it.
 

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Makes me want to comment, but have no idea what to say!.....but I mean that in a good way.
 

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Most marble machines are fun toys, this one is art! Fabulous job.
 

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Incredible! Love every detail of it, very impressive talent.

-www.sawblade.com
 

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fantastic!
 

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pretty cool, and amazingly elaborate. Very impressive!
 

· In Loving Memory
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Wow, this is way over the top. I love it! Amazing project and so well done. a must have for those who still have all their marbles. Welcome to LJ. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your mind boggling projects.
 

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I can only imagine that if I were there in person… I would WEAR THIS OUT playing with it!
FANTASTIC
 

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I will have the plans available for Kinestrata within the next month or so. It's looking like they will be over 70 pages long, with few of the pattern pages requiring 11"x17" paper. The plans will include full scale patterns for all plywood parts, tips and strategies for a successful build, a full list of recommended and required tools, step by step assembly instructions for subassemblies and the top level assembly, as well as McMaster Carr part numbers for all off-the-shelf components (aluminum tubes, brass tubes, stainless steel balls, rods, fasteners, etc.). My goal with the plans has been to break down the process in an attempt to make it simple enough for a beginner to build.
 

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Wow! Dude you're insane! You are like me! This should be displayed in a gallery. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!
 
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