4 Assembling The wooden Cabinet
- See All Machines
- Automaton Head Kit
- Steampunk Truck Cab
- Motorised Gauge Kit
- Heraldic Clarion
- Nempnett Thrubwell Kit
- Chronograph
- Chronograph Kit
- Reciprocating Chronometer Kit
- Barometric Prognosticator III
- Chronological Engine
- Climatic Revelator
- Gregorian Scribulator
- Is It Time For Tea?
- Luminescent Epizoescope
- Barometric Prognosticator II
- Barometric Prognosticator I
- Singing Automaton & Ukulele Machine
Motorised
Automaton
Head Kit
This exciting kit enables you to construct your
very own motorised automaton head and an
optional wooden enclosure with coin slot.
Instructions are also provided on how it can be
controlled by a Teensy or similar microcontroller.
I have previously made Florence, an animated
automaton head that tells you if it’s ‘Time for
Tea’, Victoria who sings along with a Ukulele
and Matilda who tells fortunes in exchange for
financial renumeration. The incredible interest
they received at steampunk events prompted
me to design the motorised automaton head
kit. (You can name her!)
The kit comes with twenty 3D printed head
parts, the servo motors that allow her to look
up & down and left & right, the DC motor that
opens and closes her eyes, the solenoid that
works her mouth, wires and all the necessary
screws and hardware.
This kit is intended for
more experienced
makers as there are
several mechanisms that
have to be carefully
adjusted and many parts
that require preparation.
You’ll need to decorate
her with spray paint,
apply gloss modeling paint to her lips and use graphite powder as a cosmetic! I’d
also recommend you can solder proficiently.
The kit either comes with a bald head if you wish to purchase your own 9” - 10”
doll’s wig, or with 3D printed Victorian style hair that requires painting in your
choice of colour.
Please note the head kit is not provided with a Teensy or any control electronics as
it is intended for advanced model makers who have the necessary skills to
purchase and manufacture their own control system of choice. I have provided
detailed instructions below on how a suitable control system can be constructed to
allow her to move and speak.
● Constructed from 3D printed PLA+.
● She is 150mm (6”) tall.
● From ear to ear she measures 70mm (2 3/4”).
● Her base has a diameter of 94mm (3 3/4”).
● From her nose to the back of her 3D printed hair measures 125mm (5”).
● Available either with a bald head or 3D printed ‘Victorian’ hair.
● You’ll need a 5volt 1A power supply to set up and test the motors.
● Her eyes are operated by a 3volt DC motor that opens and closes them. A short
pulse of 5volts is sufficient to open and close them.
● Her head is moved by two SG90 servo motors that require a 5volt supply.
● Her mouth solenoid requires 5volts at 0.5Amps.
Assembly Instructions
You’ll require a range of
common workshop tools
along with super glue, some
general purpose adhesive with
which to stick on felt pads,
suitable spray paint for the
base, her skin and hair. I’d
also optionally recommend
using graphite powder and
spray varnish as a cosmetic
and permanent markers and
gloss hobby paint to decorate
her eyes and lips.
In order to set up and test the
servo motors you’ll also require a 5volt 1A power supply and either a servo
motor control module or an Arduino or similar.
Click on the link below to watch the assembly instruction video. I suggest
watching it all the way through before starting work on the kit - then watching
and pausing each step as you actually follow the instructions. The video’s
comments contain clickable links to each chapter.
Please let me know if you encounter any issues or have any suggestions that
would make the kit easier to construct - john@steamhead.co.uk
1. Assembling the head
2
Connecting the head to
a microcontroller ((a Teensy)
As this is an advanced kit, these instructions assume you have a basic
understanding of microcontrollers such as the Arduino and the ability to solder.
As before, you’ll also require a 5volt 1A+ power supply.
Click on the picture below to watch the assembly instruction video. I suggest
watching it all the way through before starting work on the kit - then watching
and pausing each step as you actually follow the instructions. The video’s
comments contain clickable links to each chapter and links to sites where the
components can be purchased.
Please let me know if you encounter any issues or have any suggestions that
would make the kit easier to construct - john@steamhead.co.uk
3
Programming the Teensy
so she can move and Speak
The instruction video below explains how to install the Arduino IDE (Integrated
Development Environment) and how to add the Teensy programming facility.
These will allow you to program your Teensy so your automaton head can move
and speak.
Once you have these installed on your computer, you can click on the zipped
sketch file link to download the sketch (program) I’ve written for the Teensy to
help you on your way. It makes getting her to move and speak really simple to
achieve using a range of ‘action functions’ in the loop() part of the sketch. I’ve
provided comments that will hopefully make the sketch easier to understand.
Please let me know if you encounter any issues or have any suggestions that
would make the Teensy and the Teensy Sound Shield easier to program -
john@steamhead.co.uk
If you require a cabinet in which to mount your automaton head, or want a
cabinet in which to display your own amazing invention, look no further.
The cabinet kit comes with all the laser cut
plywood necessary to build your own
amazing cabinet. It even includes a speaker
housing so you can get your automaton head
talking!
The plywood can easily be stained to suit your
requirements and the instructions explain how
to assemble it with the necessary holes onto
which to mount your automaton head or how
it can be assembled with a plain shelf so you can mount your own invention.
The cabinet’s front panel is the perfect place to
fit any additional controls you require. There’s
even an option to add a coin slot so the automaton head or your own invention
can be triggered into action when a coin is inserted.
- Home
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- Automaton Head Kit
- Steampunk Truck Cab
- Motorised Gauge Kit
- Heraldic Clarion
- Nempnett Thrubwell Kit
- Chronograph
- Chronograph Kit
- Reciprocating Chronometer Kit
- Barometric Prognosticator III
- Chronological Engine
- Climatic Revelator
- Gregorian Scribulator
- Is It Time For Tea?
- Luminescent Epizoescope
- Barometric Prognosticator II
- Barometric Prognosticator I
- Connecting Machines
- Singing Automaton & Ukulele Machine
- Other Products
- Online Shop
- News & Events
- About
Motorised Automaton
Head Kit
This exciting kit enables you
to construct your very own
motorised automaton head
and an optional wooden
enclosure with coin slot.
Instructions are also provided
on how it can be controlled
by a Teensy or other
microcontroller.
I have previously made Florence,
an animated automaton head that
tells you if it’s ‘Time for Tea’,
Victoria who sings along with a
Ukulele and Matilda who tells
fortunes in exchange for financial
renumeration. The incredible
interest they received at
steampunk events prompted me to design the motorised
automaton head kit. (You can name her!)
The kit comes with
twenty 3D printed head
parts, the servo motors
that allow her to look up
& down and left & right,
the DC motor that opens
and closes her eyes, the
solenoid that works her
mouth, wires and all the
necessary screws and
hardware.
This kit is intended for
more experienced
makers as there are
several mechanisms that
have to be carefully adjusted and many parts that require
preparation. You’ll need to decorate her with spray paint,
apply gloss modeling paint to her lips and use graphite
powder as a cosmetic! I’d also recommend you can solder
proficiently.
The kit either
comes with a
bald head if
you wish to
purchase your
own 9” - 10”
doll’s wig, or
with 3D printed Victorian style hair that requires painting
in your choice of colour.
Please note the head kit is not provided with a Teensy or
any control electronics as it is intended for advanced model
makers who have the necessary skills to purchase and
manufacture their own control system of choice. I have
provided detailed instructions below on how a suitable
control system can be constructed to allow her to move and
speak.
● Constructed from 3D printed PLA+.
● She is 150mm (6”) tall.
● From ear to ear she measures 70mm (2 3/4”).
● Her base has a diameter of 94mm (3 3/4”).
● From her nose to the back of her 3D printed hair
measures 125mm (5”).
● Available either with a bald head or 3D printed
‘Victorian’ hair.
● You’ll need a 5volt 1A power supply to set up and test
the motors.
● Her eyes are operated by a 3volt DC motor that opens
and closes them. A short pulse of 5volts is sufficient to
open and close them.
● Her head is moved by two SG90 servo motors that
require a 5volt supply.
● Her mouth solenoid requires 5volts at 0.5Amps.
Assembly Instructions
You’ll require a range of common workshop tools along
with super glue, some general purpose adhesive with which
to stick on felt pads and suitable spray paint for the base,
her skin and hair. I’d also optionally recommend using
graphite powder and spray varnish as a cosmetic and
permanent markers and gloss hobby paint to decorate her
eyes and lips.
In order to set up and test the servo motors you’ll also
require a 5volt 1A power supply and either a servo motor
control module or an Arduino or similar.
Click on the picture below to watch the assembly
instruction video. I suggest watching it all the way through
before starting work on the kit - then watching and pausing
each step as you actually follow the instructions. The
video’s comments contain clickable links to each chapter.
Please let me know if you encounter any issues or have any
suggestions that would make the kit easier to construct -
john@steamhead.co.uk
1. Assembling the head
2
Connecting the head to
a microcontroller (a teensy)
As this is an advanced kit, these instructions assume
you have a basic understanding of microcontrollers
such as the Arduino and the ability to solder.
As before, you’ll also require a 5volt 1A+ power
supply.
Click on the picture below to watch the assembly
instruction video. I suggest watching it all the way
through before starting work on the kit - then watching
and pausing each step as you actually follow the
instructions. The video’s comments contain clickable
links to each chapter and links to sites where the
components can be purchased.
Please let me know if you encounter any issues or have
any suggestions that would make the kit easier to
construct - john@steamhead.co.uk
3
Programming the Teensy
so she can move and Speak
The instruction video below explains how to install the
Arduino IDE (Integrated Development Environment) and
how to add the Teensy programming facility. These will
allow you to program your Teensy so your automaton head
can move and speak.
Once you have these
installed on your
computer, you can
click on the zipped
sketch file link to
download the sketch
(program) I’ve
written for the
Teensy to help you
on your way. It
makes getting her to
move and speak
really simple to
achieve using a range
of ‘action functions’
in the loop() part of
the sketch. I’ve
provided comments
that will hopefully
make the sketch
easier to understand.
Please let me know if you encounter any issues or have any
suggestions that would make the Teensy and the Teensy
Sound Shield easier to program - john@steamhead.co.uk
4 Assembling The
wooden Cabinet
If you require a cabinet in which to mount your automaton
head, or want a cabinet in which to display your own
amazing invention, look no further.
The cabinet kit comes
with all the laser cut
plywood necessary to
build your own amazing
cabinet. It even includes a
speaker housing so you
can get your automaton
head talking!
The plywood can easily be
stained to suit your requirements and the instructions
explain how to assemble it with the necessary holes onto
which to mount your automaton head or how it can be
assembled with a plain shelf so you can mount your own
invention.
The cabinet’s front panel is the
perfect place to fit any additional
controls you require. There’s even an option to add a coin
slot so the automaton head or your own invention can be
triggered into action when a coin is inserted.
