Mechanisms & Automata · Laser Generator Studio
Automata and Mechanism Generator for Laser Cutting
Moving parts cut flat: cams and followers, Geneva drives, a clock escapement, ratchet and pawl, timing pulleys, a mechanical iris, linkages and complete hand-cranked automata.
- Exports
- SVG, DXF, PDF, EPS
- Works with
- LightBurn, xTool Creative Space, Glowforge, CAD software
- Materials
- Birch plywood, MDF, acrylic
What it makes
The Mechanisms & Automata studio draws working mechanisms that you cut flat and assemble: cams and followers, a Geneva drive that turns steady rotation into stepped motion, a clock escapement, ratchet and pawl, timing pulleys with the right belt length, a mechanical iris that opens and closes, four-bar linkages that trace their path on screen, a pantograph, flat chain, wheels and kinetic spinners. It can also build a complete hand-cranked automaton with a frame, crank and moving figure.
Mechanisms you can make
| Mechanism | What it does |
|---|---|
| Cam and follower | Turns rotation into an up-and-down, bouncing or rocking motion |
| Geneva drive | Turns steady rotation into stepped, stop-and-go turns |
| Escapement | The tick-tock heart of a mechanical clock |
| Ratchet and pawl | Lets a wheel turn one way only |
| Timing pulleys | Toothed pulleys with the belt length worked out for you |
| Mechanical iris | Blades that open and close a round hole |
| Linkages | Four-bar linkages and a pantograph, with the traced path shown |
How it works
- Pick a mechanism or a full automaton.
- Set the motion: the cam shape, or the automaton movement (up and down, bouncing, rocking, waving or turning). The preview shows the path.
- Enter the axle diameter of the dowel or rod you have, and choose press or free holes.
- Enter the sheet thickness so slots and spacers fit, then export and cut.
Tips for smooth movement
- Measure your kerf first. The kerf calculator shows how much material the laser removes, which decides how tight holes and slots come out.
- Clearance, not friction. Moving parts need a little room. If something binds, sand the working edge rather than forcing it.
- Wax the contact faces. A drop of candle wax on cams, followers and gear teeth makes everything run more smoothly.
- Build a stiff frame. A wobbly frame lets axles tilt and mechanisms jam. 6 mm plywood, or a box from the box generator, keeps everything square.
Gears: for gear trains, racks and ratios, use the gear generator. It works out the centre distance and backlash for laser-cut teeth.
Export
Parts export as SVG and DXF in millimetres, so the motion stays accurate if you combine parts in a bigger design.
Questions
What is an automaton?
A hand-cranked automaton is a small machine where turning a handle moves a figure: a bird that pecks, a boat that rocks, a figure that waves. Inside, cams and levers turn the circular motion of the crank into the movement you see.
What is the difference between press holes and free holes?
A press hole is slightly smaller than the axle so the part grips it and turns with it, like a cam fixed to its shaft. A free hole is slightly larger so the part spins on the axle, like a follower or a wheel.
What axle should I use?
Wooden dowels, bamboo skewers, brass rod or steel rod all work. Measure the one you have and type that diameter; the studio sizes every hole from it.
Why do my parts stick?
Moving parts need clearance, not a press fit. Run a kerf test first, sand the working edges smooth and rub a little candle wax on cams and gears.
Which thickness should I cut?
3 mm plywood suits small moving parts; 6 mm is stiffer for frames and bases that take the load.
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