A slider crank mechanism is a simple, effective way to convert rotation to linear motion. You can make one very easily out of craft sticks or cardboard, a hole punch, and some paper fasteners.

By attaching the crank shaft stick to a servo motor horn, we can drive our slider crank using a Circuit Playground Express programmed with MakeCode!

1 x Circuit Playground Express
Incredibly awesome microcontroller board
1 x Standard servo
TowerPro SG-5010
1 x 3 x AA Battery Holder
with On/Off Switch, JST, and Belt Clip

Materials

In addition to the parts above, you'll need:

  • corrugated cardboard box
  • three craft sticks
  • brass paper fasteners

Tools

You could build this entire project using only a pair of scissors, but here are some additional tools that can make things a bit easier:

  • single hole punch
  • hobby knife
  • metal ruler
  • hot melt glue gun and hot melt glue -- either low or high temperature is fine
  • pencil or marker
  • small screwdriver

This guide was first published on May 05, 2018. It was last updated on May 05, 2018.

This page (Overview) was last updated on May 02, 2018.

Text editor powered by tinymce.