Mechanical Bird Project (Teaching Resources) KS3 Automata / Automaton CAM Toy Plans PDF

PLANS AND TASK SHEETS ONLY (AS A PDF). PLEASE SEE ALTERNATIVE LISTING FOR INCLUSION OF MATERIALS AND/OR AN IN PERSON TRAINING SESSION. Please see video for what included.

A simple project incorporating aspects of design, make, evaluate and technical knowledge growth. It’s nothing fancy but caters for a range of skills and interest levels age 11+ Something very similar works well in my setting.

The model is NOT A TOY, rather a fun project to learn about the design cycle, basic woodworking and cams.

Features of the basic model include a duck shape with waddling movement, lifting wings, opening mouth and quacking sound. Instructions are included for adapting the design to resemble another bird of your choice, as well as design options for bobbing head, flapping feet and an alternative wing design.

The finished model measures approximately 165(L) x 155(D) x 120(W)mm

Materials required (basic model as shown): Pinewood, Plywood (ideally birch), Hardwood Dowel, lolly-stick, screws, PVA glue, Display Mount, wax candle, masking tape, stain and varnish, eyes of some form (see recommended on Material List).

Additional optional materials: Faux leather, embellishments.

Tools required (ideally): Scroll Saw, Band Facer, Pillar Drill, Hand Drill, Drill Bits (3, 4, 5.5, 9mm), glasspaper (80,120 grit), Tenon Saw, Machine Vice, Bench Vice, Quick Clamp, Steel Rule, Pencil, Try Square, Bradawl.

At a pinch, handtools could be used in place of the power tools. Although this might only be appropriate for a competent adult.

In a commercial workshop, the most efficient order for instructions would be process order, i.e. all the cutting, then all the drilling, then all sanding etc. However, these instructions are in component order which is more advantageous for a school setting because:

• More diversity of machines are in use each lesson, reducing bottlenecks.

• Repeating the cycle of cutting, drilling, sanding etc builds on skills lesson on lesson.

• A series of mini-wins, ahead of the final assembly.