Wave Propagation Machine

This is a device that exemplifies the propagation of a wave. It uses gears and circular to linear motion transmission to simulate the propagation of a sine wave. 

The device can be used to show:

• the abstract concept of a wave
• the properties of a wave - period, amplitude, frequency, phase
• circular to linear motion mechanisms
• notions of trigonometry - harmonics, the generation of a sine wave using the trigonometric circle

Assembly instructions

Print the first plate - there are parts for two modules

To assemble a module follow these steps:

1. Slide the auxiliary gear on the side shaft of the frame, like in the image below:

2. Insert the anchor shaft into one of the main gear mounting holes, like in the image below:

   Make sure to insert the shaft from the bottom side of the gear ( the one that sits on the printing plate). You can mount the shaft into any hole. The closer the hole is to the center, the smaller the amplitude of the generated waves will be. 

   However, all the shafts used in a single device should be mounted similarly. 

   Note: It takes a little bit of force and patience to insert the shaft through a hole. Some of them may brake, that's way more than 2 shafts are printed.

3. After inserting the shaft, slide the main gear center hole into the center shaft on the frame, with the bottom down, like this:

   Don't push it all the way, pull it back a bit to leave a small space between the frame and the gear. It should fixate in place because it has a small groove inside where the head of the shaft should expand.

    

4. Slide the long part of the yoke through the guides found at the top part of the frame and then mount the other part on the shaft found on the main gear, like this:

   This is how the final assembly of a module should look like.

   Print as many modules as you like and chain them together using the plugs and sockets at the bottom and top parts of the frame, like in this image:

    

5. Now it's time to print the second plate.

6. Slide the square rod through the holes at the bottom of the frames. Place the hexagonal simple rod on the side “ears” of the frame, then press the rod towards the frame until the auxiliary gears touch the main gears and use the provided hooks to fasten the two rods together. Like in the images below:

    

7. Insert the rod with a lever through the auxiliary gears, like this:

8. Make sure to push the two rods that engage the gears as much as possible on the side of the lever, so that they don't obstruct the rotation.

Setting up a wave form

In order for the bars to create the impression of a sine wave when the lever is turned, they have to be set up in  a certain way. The simplest is to remove the rod passing through the gears,  pull all the bars upwards, then, from right to left, turning each gear clock-wise so that each will be just a little bit lower or higher than the one from its right, so that they create a sine shape. After positioning them like this, reinsert the rod with the lever through the auxiliary gears and start spinning.