How do you design a clockworks mechanism - like a gear train?

Question

I have an idea for a kinetic sculpture, but I need to figure out how to make some pretty tricky clockworks mechanics to make it. Anyone know how to get started in this? A good book, or a web site? Something laymen level (light on the math formula) preferred.

Answer 1

For a layperson, the book "My Own Right Time: An Exploration of Clockwork Design" by Philip Woodward would be a good choice. However, it is expensive. You can oreview the book on Amazon.


As an alternative, the following horological website has a number of valuable links that can assist you (and its free!):

http://www.horology.com/

Good luck!!!

Answer 2

Decide on the final shaft speed you want, and pick a motor (or gear-motor) speed for the drive. From there some math becomes unavoidable, but the basic formula is simple:
S2/S1 = T1/T2
where S stands for the shaft speed and T the number of teeth on the gears. Since you are making gears, T1 and T2 must be integers, and each must be greater than 2
You are also talking about multiple shafts, so you need to apply the formula to each set of gears.
S3/S2 = T2/T3, and so forth
Note that all these ratios multiply to get your final ratio.

Answer 3

I can tell you that clockwork is tremendously complicated and must be very precise, but you probably already know that. i have one of the "for idiots" books on clockwork, and i enjoyed it very much finding it to a be a very useful tool.