2025 STEAM EXPO

PROJECT SUMMARY

I set out to understand how a mechanism can make marbles go up without using electricity, just with the movement of a hand crank.

WHY?

Because I was interested in learning how mechanisms work in automatons. I wanted to build something that moves continuously and works with simple parts.

HOW?

I designed a system with a crank that, when turned, moves a central shaft. This shaft is connected to discs with holes outside the center. The disks push the steps up and down alternately, and that makes the marbles go up. When they reach the top, they go down a ramp and start again.

WHAT?

I discovered that with few materials a very interesting movement can be achieved. I also saw that it is important that all parts are well aligned and that even a small mistake can cause the system to jam.

SO WHAT?

I learned how to design in Rhino and to understand how an automaton staircase works. It is an excellent opportunity to learn how this type of mechanism works.

WHAT'S NEXT?

I could improve the design to make it more stable, use better materials, or add more steps. I would also like to try to make a different mechanism that moves objects in a different way.

REFERENCES & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I am very grateful to my teacher for accompanying me throughout the process of this project. She was always there to explain to me when I didn't understand something, and thanks to her help I was able to move forward and finish my work well.

JUDGES FEEDBACK

When you work with mechanical systems, especially in a material like wood, precision is always key. The fact that you achieved the outcome you were expecting and that the project works already shows that there was a well-structured design cycle behind it. It's a great project, you should be really proud! Even aesthetically, there's nothing I could think of to improve it. I think it would be fun for you to try to build it again with some other material next time, maybe metal.

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