Cardan-Gear Mechanism

[Sternford]

I stumbled on this page and thought I would try making a technic version for fun. It converts rotation into a linear back-and-forth motion.

It's very jerky because there's a lot of backlash with the gearbox parts. Unfortunately it's pretty bulky too and in the end doesn't give very much movement. I started out making a bigger one with 40 and 20 tooth gears, but when I couldn't figure out how to make it work I made this one...And then after I had finished I realized how I could make the bigger one work. But I have limited parts and didn't want to take the small one apart.

Any other neat methods for converting rotation to translation?

[Silcantar]

Geometry is amazing. Full of "easter eggs". I don't know of any neater ways of converting rotation into translation, but I know more practical ways. :)

[Jetro]

If you want rotation to linear check out all the Technic Walker designs - they mostly use just that feature.

For the other way round have a look at the tech train forum and you'll see plenty of ideas.

[Sternford]

Geometry is amazing. Full of "easter eggs". I don't know of any neater ways of converting rotation into translation, but I know more practical ways. :)

It would probably be more practical if the gears had slightly different dimensions. The one 8 tooth gear is offset by something like a third of a stud

[Zerobricks]

Also repalcing the clutch gears and ring with a diff would make whole assembly less jerky, with no air.

[Sternford]

Also repalcing the clutch gears and ring with a diff would make whole assembly less jerky, with no air.

Indeed, but only for the small one