Physical models of machines have played an important role in the history of engineering for teaching, analyzing, and exploring mechanical concepts. Many of these models have been replaced today by computational representations, but new rapid-prototyping (RP) technologies are now allowing reintroduction of physical models as an intuitive way to demonstrate mechanical concepts. This paper reports on the use of RP to document, preserve, reproduce, and share in three dimensions, historic machines, and mechanisms. We have reproduced several preassembled, fully functional historic mechanisms from the Cornell Collection of Reuleaux Kinematic Models, and made these available as part of a new online museum of mechanism: Not only can visitors read descriptions, view pictures and videos, and interact with simulations of machines, but they can now also download and 3D-print their own physical functional replicas. We expect that this new form of “physical” preservation will become prevalent in future archives.
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September 2005
Technical Briefs
3-D Printing the History of Mechanisms
Hod Lipson,
Hod Lipson
School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
e-mail: hod.lipson@cornell.edu
Cornell University
, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
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Francis C. Moon,
Francis C. Moon
School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
Cornell University
, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
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Jimmy Hai,
Jimmy Hai
School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
Cornell University
, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
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Carlo Paventi
Carlo Paventi
School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
Cornell University
, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
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Hod Lipson
School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
Cornell University
, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USAe-mail: hod.lipson@cornell.edu
Francis C. Moon
School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
Cornell University
, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
Jimmy Hai
School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
Cornell University
, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
Carlo Paventi
School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
Cornell University
, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USAJ. Mech. Des. Sep 2005, 127(5): 1029-1033 (5 pages)
Published Online: October 17, 2004
Article history
Received:
June 23, 2004
Revised:
October 17, 2004
Citation
Lipson, H., Moon, F. C., Hai, J., and Paventi, C. (October 17, 2004). "3-D Printing the History of Mechanisms." ASME. J. Mech. Des. September 2005; 127(5): 1029–1033. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1902999
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