Art Deco Orrery build
Posted by Nathan Stockill | Labels: Orrery Art Deco | Posted On Friday 21 January 2011 at 11:46
I decided my first project of my 3rd would be a ART DECO ORRERY, a model that will illustrate the movement of the planets in a 1930's designed casing. This means a mechanism as well as plenty of 1930's style materials
As I have just purchased a laser cutter, it should help out a little. . . i hope.
As I largely plan laser cut the parts for the Orrery, a CAD model was clearly the first step. As i will chop up the 3d model in to seprate 2d DXF files for my laser cutter. Plus it always looks better than a pencil sketch :)
First step the frame, simple laser cut 12 sided construction to which will house the mechanism and each 12th of the zodiac. I then boxed out the frame, and added moldings to the base, which will house the separate zodiac titles
The side panels are constructed from layered wenge veneered 3mm mdf and varnished. Which saved tonnes of time, but still took weeks to finish all 12, each with 6 layers of varnish !
Pre-painted sections of the top ring. As my laser cutter is only small Ive split everything into sections, which will all have to be assembled like a big mechano set.
Mock up of the top plate in place, complete with "directional" wenge veneer
Second mock-up with the top ring, including faux tortoise shell that absolutely stank when cut on the laser
"PRO TIP" avoid cutting milk based plastics with lasers !
Pillar bases, each had to be cast in PU resin 24 time then individual painted.
Mock-up of a side panel complete with pre-polished "Bakelite" pillars. Added a load more detail, including winged star sign symbol and name.
The Base begins to be assembled, lots of super glue :) Also added some perspex windows.
The cog assembly goes it, each cog was individually laser cut 3 times the in 3mm to make 9mm cogs. The design its self is very simple. Power cogs get smaller while the planet cogs get larger. Thus Saturn will saunter along whole Mercury will wizz round. Thanks to Clayton Boyer for the plans, they were a great help :)
The POWER mechanism
The cogs central rods fit together telescopically on the planet side meaning each cog can move separately and still power the planets.
The crank, was placed on the Aries panel, and comes complete with ominous rams head
The fully assembled model, complete with planets salvaged from a kids solar system toy, which i then modified and repainted. the sun is a curtain rail end i liked the look of :)
The Model finished on my desk, ready for assessment.
Proper/detailed pictures to follow
