"Alien Orreries" - Hearts Commission
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Whilst pondering my "Alien Orreries" idea, a friend approached me for a birthday present for her wife. The recipient loves kinetic art and it had to have heart cut stones (yikes).
Keen to try out my contra-rotating mechanism, I proposed the first design shown here. The wheel design changed to the second design shown when I found out they have a yin-yang symbol on their wedding rings. |
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The final design is shown below.
I removed the case/cage to reduce the size & weight.
I also realised that the turning knob was not strictly necessary as turning either wheel would create the desired motion.
I removed the case/cage to reduce the size & weight.
I also realised that the turning knob was not strictly necessary as turning either wheel would create the desired motion.
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I made the gears by molding some remote-control car gears, and replicating them in PMC Sterling.
This wasn't an ideal material as it warps & shrinks to a certain extent whilst firing. But the video shows that the resulting gears work fine. |
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I spent a long time trying to make settings for the heart cut stones (remind me never to use them again).
My wire and carved claws failed and in the end, I carved some chunky settings in wax. 
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Here are the individual components before assembly.
First is the rear structure and bail.
This includes a small catch that will lock the wheels in a default position during normal wear
On the right is the rear wheel
Includes the small ball that the catch will pop over
First is the rear structure and bail.
This includes a small catch that will lock the wheels in a default position during normal wear
On the right is the rear wheel
Includes the small ball that the catch will pop over
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Both sides of front wheel.
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Central pivot and pinion gear assembly.
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The photo above shows the rotating wheels with stones set.
These are synthetic alexandrite. I suggested them as I'm intrigued by their colour changing qualities. The client liked the idea as it reflects the changing nature of love & marriage. The photo on the right shows the catch locking the rear wheel in place. I was worried that the heavy stone settings would cause both wheels to rotate downwards due to gravity and the normal position would have both hearts upside-down. I wanted to dictate the default position and prevent unwanted rotation during normal wear. |
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I spent way too long working on this commission, rather than on course work. However I knew that what I learned during the process would be invaluable for the collection I wanted to create.
For example, the first photo here shows the central pivot I ended up with, made from tube rather than wire. This allows the exact length to be fine tuned by filing (a simple jump ring as before quickly disappears).
I also ended up removing the catch. The new tube pivot allowed better riveting and the mechanism was smooth but stiff enough to not rotate under gravity.
The clients were delighted :-)
For example, the first photo here shows the central pivot I ended up with, made from tube rather than wire. This allows the exact length to be fine tuned by filing (a simple jump ring as before quickly disappears).
I also ended up removing the catch. The new tube pivot allowed better riveting and the mechanism was smooth but stiff enough to not rotate under gravity.
The clients were delighted :-)
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