This document provides instructions for creating a cardboard automata that demonstrates simple machines using cams and cam followers. The summary is: The workshop teaches students to build a cardboard automata that creates mechanical movement through the use of cams and cam followers. Students will choose a motion for their automata, make the cams and cam followers out of cardboard and foam, attach them to the frame with axles and straws, then test and decorate their completed automata. The goal is for students to explore simple machines while building a moving mechanical sculpture.

1. Young Maker’s Workshop

2. Automata-who?
Automata is a playful way to explore simple machine
elements such as cams, levers, and linkages, while
creating mechanical sculpture. Today, you will get to
plan and create your own Cardboard Automata with
simple materials.

3. Simple
Simple Machines are non-motorized devices that
change the direction or magnitude of a force.
• Inclined Plane
• Wedge
• Lever
• Wheel and Axel
• Screw
• Pulley

4. Cams and Cam Followers
Today you will be working with Cams and Cam
Followers which is a form of the wheel and axel.
Rather than making a bicycle wheel turn, we will be
creating more of a gear-driven movement.
Cam
Cam
Follower

5. Materials
• Cardboard frame
• Cardboard scraps
• Drinking straw
• Nail
• Scissors
• Skewer sticks
• Foam sheet
• Washer
• Masking tape
• Hot Glue Gun
• Cam Templates
• Materials for decoration

6. Step 1. Add support to your frame
• Cut triangles out of the cardboard scraps and tape
them into each corner of the frame for support.

7. Step 2. Choose a motion
1. Round and Round:
*Pay close attention to the placements of
the cam and cam follower.

8. Step 2. Choose a motion continued
2. Up/Down and Round and Round:
*Pay close attention to the placements of
the cam and cam follower.

9. Step 2. Choose a motion
• To create a round and
round motion, follow
this model 
• To create an
up/down, round and
round motion follow
this model 
• To create a back and
forth and up and down
motion, follow this
model 

10. Step 3. Make the Cams
• Using the template, draw your cam and cam follower
in the upper left hand corner of the foam sheet.
• Make sure to draw it as close to the edge as possible, as
you will only have 1 foam sheet for your activity.
• It is important to cut the cams smoothly and make
sure your cam follower is a little bigger than your
cam.

11. Step 4. Make the Handle
• Cut a rectangular piece of cardboard
• Hot glue the cardboard to the skewer

12. Step 5. Add the Axel to the Frame
• Put your cam on the axel inside the frame.
• Start the holes in the frame using the nail, and
make sure the cam clears the top and bottom of
the frame.

13. Step 5. Add the Cam Follower
• Poke a hole; with the nail, in the top of the frame
where you want your cam follower to be located.
• Cut the straw so it’s about 4 cm long, and then
insert it into the hole you just made.
• Hot glue the straw in place

14. Step 5. Continued
• Put a skewer stick through the straw and
attach your cam follower to the bottom end
of the stick.
• Glue the cam follower in place
Cam
follower
Dab of glue

15. Step 6. Test it!
• Adjust your cam under
the cam follower until
you get the motion you
like.
• If the cam follower does not fall
on the cam, attach a washer to
add a little weight.
• If the cam does not stay
in place on the axel, add
a small dab of hot glue
to hold the cam in
place.

16. Step 7. Decorate your Automata!

17. Have a Happy
Halloween!!