15 - Dragon Automaton

Team Members:

Noah Manasterli, Amar Saini, Vivian Pang, Zane Zheng

Summary/Overview:

The goal of this project is to design and fabricate an animal automaton that depicts lifelike motion from a single motor input. This model will simulate realistic animal behavior, such as wing flapping, head bobbing, and tail movement, using a coordinated system of cam followers, four-bar linkages, and Kranz linkages. Beyond the mechanics, the team also aims to bring the automaton to life as a piece of mechanical art by incorporating painted surfaces, natural environmental features, and programmable LEDs to create an immersive and visually compelling experience.

Table of Contents: 

• 15.1 - Project Proposal

• 15.2 Kinematic Analysis

• 15.3 Design Process