Introduction
▲ Back to the TopA harmonograph is a drawing machine that uses the physics of pendulums to create geometric drawings. Professor Hugh Blackburn first built one in 1844 at the University of Glasgow and they were popular in the later half of the 1800s.
This is a really simple harmonograph. There are lots of different kinds - this one uses four pendulums holding a wooden plate with a balanced pen - this is the type we've built as a demonstration as it is the easiest to make. There are lots of different ways of approaching the machine and the pendulums can be in various configurations. This one has pendulums pushing the pen and moving the paper. The key part of this one is the joints on the pendulums just above the table:
There are some really cool ones out there - how about a mid-century one all in a vertical line?
Beyond the harmonograph there are many other drawing machines too.
Pictures
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Materials
▲ Back to the TopMaterials & tools required for simple nodding harmonograph:
- 12mm ply sheet just over A3 size
- 18mm ply strip - approx 1000mm x 50mm
- Screw in hooks x 2
- String
- Steel metre ruler
- Pen or pencil
- Drill
- Saw
- Scewdriver
- Screws (M3 or M4 about 25-30mm)
- Nails for the axle and to hold weights
- Washers
- Fineliner or Sharpie
- 1kg weights x 2
- Small balance weights, ~50g x 4
- Peg or other way to hold the pen.
Make It Yourself
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