Mechanics for Creating Wooden Automatons
A course by Eduardo SalzaneArtist
A course by Eduardo Salzane, Artist
Learn to build gears, cranks, and links with simple tools to create moving sculptures that simulate wings flapping.
¨Wings are elements of nature that stir our imagination, and rebuilding a flight with wood and metal involves enchanting and fun engineering.¨, says Eduardo Salzane, artist and craftsman of automatons, that is, of sculptures that move from a crank.
Eduardo has held several exhibitions throughout Brazil and his work has been recognized by publications such as Automata Magazine. For him, each automaton is an opportunity to express our feelings and our relationship with the world.
Now, in this online course, he will teach you how to build gears, links and cranks to create a mechanism that reproduces the movement of flapping wings.
You can learn more from Eduardo in the course Wooden Automata: Bring Sculptures to Life with Movement. Explore mechanics and create poetic narratives with wood and simple materials!
What will you learn in this online course?
17 lessons & 23 downloads
Mechanical Principles
8 minutes, 20 seconds
Cranks
7 minutes, 54 seconds
Links
6 minutes, 31 seconds
Gears
8 minutes, 53 seconds
Base Cut
13 minutes, 17 seconds
Drilling and Assembly of the Base
13 minutes, 8 seconds
What's included in this course?
First, Eduardo Salzane will tell how his experience with gears, art and circus led him to create wooden automatons. It will also show how watchmakers, kinetic sculptors and the world around them inspire him.
Later, Eduardo will teach some mechanical principles and how small changes can generate new movements. It will also explain how the cranks, gears and links work and will present the tools and materials needed for the course.
With that in mind, you'll understand how to interpret the final design drawings and how to cut, drill, and build the base of the part and the links that will bring the pair of wings to life. From there, you will manufacture gears and understand how to position the different elements built.
It will be time to work on the wing structure, carry out the finishing work and do the final assembly. To close, Eduardo will show other options for winged automatons.
What is this course's project?
You will create a wooden automaton with gears, links and a crank that generate the flapping movement.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
To any enthusiast of wood, sculpture and mechanics who want to have fun building.
Requirements and materials
No prior knowledge is required to take the course.
You will need basic woodworking tools such as a saw, hammer, drill, sandpaper, glue, pliers, wrenches, screws and dowels, as well as plywood, sheets and wooden sticks. It will also be important to have paper or fabric for finishing and goggles and a mask to protect yourself.
Reviews
- two_rosesPLUS1 month ago
The course is fine. But once I did it, I realised that it didn't need 2 gears. Just 1 gear can drive 2 cranks in opposite directions.
- 1 month ago
Content is engaging and very useful for a STEM teacher!
- 2 months ago
Me encantó este curso. te da los conocimientos basicos de mecanica. Es muy motivador. el profesor tiene mucho conocimiento.
- 3 months ago
An excellent, simple to follow course. The project is clearly described and a joy to see working at the end. Eduardo explains every aspect including the mechanical aspects and basic mechanics and practical demonstrations using all the tools required. The pace and structure of the lessons allows the construction in a methodical way. I cannot wait to build this project and look forward to more advance courses by Eduardo.
- 4 months ago
Muy bueno
He has given workshops at different institutions throughout Brazil and his works have been exhibited in several galleries in the interior of São Paulo and at the Ecomuseum of Itaipu, in Foz do Iguaçu. Currently, he develops his work with reused wood and creates a universe of poetry in motion in each of his pieces.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
The Design Mechanics
- Mechanical Principles
- Cranks
- Links
- Gears
- Tools and Materials
- U3
Parts Manufacturing
- Schematic Drawing of the Project
- Base Cut
- Drilling and Assembly of the Base
- Link Cutting and Drilling
- Gear Cutting
- Positioning of Shafts and Gears
- Positioning of the Links
- U4
Assembly and Finishing
- Construction of the Structure and Finishing of the Wings
- Assembly
- Other Possibilities
- FP
Final project
- Mechanics for Creating Wooden Automatons
What to expect from a Domestika course
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FAQs
You’ll learn to build mechanisms like cranks, gears, linkages, and levers, applying woodworking skills and mechanical principles to create artistic automata and moving sculptures.
No prior woodworking or mechanical experience is required, though basic knowledge helps. The course is intermediate level, perfect for those with some hands-on craft experience.
You’ll need basic hand tools like a handsaw, drill, drill bits, caliper, and wood glue, plus wood pieces, screws, and some recycled materials.
Yes, the course covers building mechanisms to flap wings and simulate natural movements using cranks, linkages, and gears, inspired by observing nature.
Yes, you’ll learn how to design, cut, fit, and assemble wooden gears, and understand how they transfer, modify, and control motion in automatic mechanisms.
Yes, the course introduces both historical and contemporary artists, their works, and how their innovations have shaped artistic mechanics and automata development.
After the course, you’ll be able to create wooden automata, kinetic sculptures, handcrafted lamps, and custom mechanisms for artistic and creative uses.