Grouping: Individual
Take-home: Mechanical automaton
Key ideas: Cam, cam follower, axle, rotary-to-reciprocating motion.
Start with: Turn different cam shapes and watch follower motion change.
Success check: Crank makes figure move reliably for 10 turns without jamming.
Try changing: Cam shape/eccentricity; follower location; crank length.
Preparation: Build mechanism samples; pre-cut frame kits; stage parts in project boxes.
CNC preparation: Excellent CNC unit: frame, cams, followers.
3D-print preparation: Print bushings, crank handles, axle collars.
Lesson flow: Day 1: mechanism
Day 2: character + refine
Video:
Cardboard Automata
Safety and cleanup: Safety glasses around skewers/wire; supervised hot glue.
https://www.exploratorium.edu/tinkering/projects/cardboard-automata
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4sOkFeQyvM