Wooden Automata (Cam Toy)

What You’ll Build

A hand-cranked wooden box where turning a handle makes a character on top dance, bob, or wave. It’s powered entirely by cam mechanisms — no batteries, no motors, just elegant engineering.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Build the Box

Assemble the wooden box from pre-cut pieces or cut your own. This houses the cam mechanism. Drill holes in opposite sides for the crankshaft.

Step 2: Make the Crankshaft

Thread a dowel through the box to create the crankshaft. It should spin freely. Attach a handle to one end.

Step 3: Attach the Cams

Glue cam discs (round, eccentric, or custom-shaped) to the crankshaft inside the box. Different cam shapes create different motions.

Step 4: Add Followers

Drill vertical holes in the top of the box. Insert dowel followers that rest on top of the cams. As cams rotate, followers push up and down.

Step 5: Create the Character

Build a character or scene on top of the followers. When the crank turns, the character moves. Use your imagination — a bird flapping wings, a person waving, a hammer hitting.

Step 6: Refine the Motion

Sand contact points for smoother motion. Adjust cam shapes to change the rhythm. Add multiple cams for complex, multi-character scenes.

Make It Easier

• Use a pre-cut automata kit with pre-drilled holes
• Start with a single cam and simple up-down motion

Make It Harder

• Design custom cam profiles for specific motions
• Create a multi-character scene with synchronized movements
• Add a gear train to change speed ratios