ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

I tried something like this maybe twenty years ago.  I only progressed into the first handful of prototypes before the item was shelved for other reasons.  There were several problems I realized needed to be addressed to make it work:  clear plastic tubes are not all "round" (cast vs extruded & acrylic vs polycarbonate); certain plastics and "oils" interact in bad ways, some slow and some fast (crazing, fogging, cracking over time); the mechanism wanted to work slowly but the visitors wanted speed (durability) and finding seals that held up (O-rings, bushings, etc.).   Sometimes simple machines still require a relatively high level of detail or finesse.  In this case it was all about making a set of cylinders and pistons that were highly concentric, transparent, durable and sealed well.  The rest was easy. 

Erich

Erich Rose Design
807 The Living End
Austin, TX 78746
512-626-9930; [log in to unmask]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/erichrose/




On Apr 5, 2013, at 8:11 AM, Cricket Brooks wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
> 
> Yes, good idea on the mineral oil - that would definitely work!
> 
> To see more specifically what else I am after, please take a look at this
> kit:
> http://www.sciplus.com/p/HYDRAULICS-4IN1-SET_45453
> 
> I am interested in replicating this general concept, but building
> stand-alone exhibit components that don't require facilitation.  I'm
> looking for any tips on how to build the "syringes."
> 
> Thanks for the input so far.
> Cricket
> 
> On Fri, Apr 5, 2013 at 6:38 AM, Rachel Hellenga <[log in to unmask]
>> wrote:
> 
>> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
>> institutions.
>> 
>> *****************************************************************************
>> 
>> We used a mineral oil with the same viscosity as water for some overhead
>> water tanks in Science Storms at the Museum of Science and Industry. Saved
>> a lot of grief as we avoided issues of evaporation coating the class,
>> possible mold growth, messing up the electronics, etc. The fabricator was
>> Lexington in L.A.
>> 
>> Rachel
>> 
>> On Thu, Apr 4, 2013 at 3:39 PM, Cricket Brooks <[log in to unmask]
>>> wrote:
>> 
>>> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>>> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
>>> institutions.
>>> 
>>> 
>> *****************************************************************************
>>> 
>>> Hello all -
>>> 
>>> I'm looking for technical information on how to incorporate hydraulics
>> as a
>>> mechanical force within a non-"water area" exhibit.
>>> 
>>> In other words, I want to use water or other liquids to move things, but
>> I
>>> don't want anyone or anything to get wet in the process.  I want the
>> liquid
>>> to be both safely enclosed and visible to visitors.
>>> 
>>> I've seen hydraulic fluid used in a number of exhibits - the one that
>> comes
>>> to mind is a representation of the circulatory system where kids pump the
>>> "blood."  In that case, I guess the fluid is moving, but not necessarily
>>> causing anything else to move.  Either way, I can't remember where I've
>>> seen it.
>>> 
>>> Please respond with recommendations of exhibits you've seen where this
>> has
>>> been successfully achieved, or with any tips or warnings you feel I
>> should
>>> keep in mind.
>>> 
>>> Thanks a bunch,
>>> Cricket
>>> 
>>> Cricket Brooks
>>> Exhibits Manager
>>> DuPage Children's Museum
>>> Naperville, IL
>>> 
>>> ***********************************************************************
>>> For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and
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>> 
>> 
>> 
>> --
>> 
>> ***********************************************************************
>> For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and
>> the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
>> 
>> Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at
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> 
> ***********************************************************************
> For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
> 
> Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.
> 
> The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit
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Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.

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