david cranmer of nervous squirrel reveals the duck machine

david cranmer of nervous squirrel reveals the duck machine
all images courtesy of the nervous squirrel

moving in a graceful pattern this mechanical sculpture by british designer david cranmer of nervous squirrel consists of 49 independently controlled rubber ducks. the piece was commissioned by specialist motor manufacturing company faz elektrik for a tradeshow to reveal a new range of actuators. the programmable matrix has 49 miniature motors that are controlled by 14 driver boards and 3 arduino microprocessors. the mechanisms are constructed from polycarbonate and connected to the small plastic ducks via flexible fiberglass rods. in order to join the dissimilar metals, brass guiding tubes were silver soldered to the steel frame.

the little rubber ducks move up and down in a graceful patterned motion

the moving sculpture is created by independently controlled motors

side profile of the duck machine

the miniature ducks suspended in the air

detail of the ducks

detail of the machine’s polycarbonate cams

the rows of polycarbonate cams

the inside showing the mechanical construction

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.