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
>>> 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
>>> http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.
>>>
>>> To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
>>> message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> ***********************************************************************
>> 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
>> http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.
>>
>> To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
>> message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
>> [log in to unmask]
>>
>
> ***********************************************************************
> 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
> http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.
>
> To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
> message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
> [log in to unmask]
***********************************************************************
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
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.
To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]
|