Earthquake Automaton

This project was to create an automaton, which is a relatively self-operating machine. My partner, Damon Vunk, and I choose to recreate the earthquake scene from the apocalyptic movie 2012. We created an interactive scene that engages the viewer and allows for movement, instead of staticity and bleakness. To create the movement, the four cams on the camshaft turn in response to the cranking of the handle. The movement of the cams pushes the followers, which in turn moves the scene components. All of the pieces move depending on the shape of their cam, which we created based on the function of the components. The overall dimensions of the project are 24 cm x 20 cm x 5 cm.