The Interactives:
Cams – This exhibit explores what cam shafts can be used for. Turn the wheels on each of the three different cam shafts and watch what happens to the three mechanical cat figures.
Gears – This older style use of cogs employs a pinwheel gearing mechanism. Turn the black wheel to see what happens to the legs and arms of the mechanical cat figure. What happens if you turn it faster?
Linkages – Use the black knob to move the first link. Look what happens to the other two links and see if you can ring the bell.
Drives – Turn the bottom wheel to see what happens to the other two wheels. Look which way round they turn. Alter the position of the belt. Is it easier or more difficult to turn? What happens if you wrap the belt in a figure of eight?
Ratchets – Keep turning the blue wheel and watch what happens to the gavel that the mechanical cat judge is holding.
Levers – Move the bottom lever and see if the mechanical cat figure lifts the dumbbell over its head. Now move the position of the lever and try again. Work out which position is the easiest to move.
Cranks – Turn each of the wheels using the black handle and see what happens to the legs and arms of the mechanical cat figure. Pull on the black handle to change the position of the connection to be more or less off centre. What happens when you turn the wheels now?
Bi-directional Gear – This exhibit demonstrates an interesting but mostly useless mechanism to translate uni-directional rotary motion into bi-directional rotary motion. Turn the outer wheel and watch the inner gear change direction and speed.
Geneva Wheel – this exhibit demonstrates a mechanism to turn continuous rotary motion into intermittent motion. Commonly used in old film based movie projectors to pause each frame of the film in front of the bulb for the required time.