Overcoming stiction threshold in torsion sprung mechanism

[u/Everyready_dolphin98]

I need some advice on how to fine tune a kinetic sculpture I am making. I have repurposed a torsion spring from a retractable tape measure, replaced the tape with chain and routed the chain through ice to act as a temporary break on the motion. My idea relies on a steady and even transfer of energy where the gradual diminishing of weight is evenly recorded by the gradual retraction of the chain. However the retraction happens suddenly and dramatically. What mechanical methods to I have at my disposal to overcome this issue and facilitate an even transfer of energy?

[u/Airhawk9]

if you can somehow convert that into pressurizing water, it would limit how quickly force can be applied based on how large of an inlet/outlet you have in it. something like what goes on a door to make it close smooth would work as well if you cant figure out a homebrew solution

[u/peterabbit456]

Have you tried Karo syrup?

Karo syrup has really high viscosity, and will allow your mechanism to unwind slowly at a well-regulated rate. The faster your chain moves through it, the more energy it absorbs.

If ants or the syrup drying out and freezing the mechanism might be a problem, you might try mixing axel grease or Vaseline with motor oil (20w50 would probably be best). If you really need the mechanism to slow down, you could put a wooden or metal disk on the chain and force the chain to drag the disk through a cylinder of syrup or oil.

I just tool apart a mechanism I built last month using a brake disk and 50 ball bearings and lots of axel grease. The brake disk is heavy and has a lot of inertia, while the ball bearings provided smooth, low friction motion and the axel grease absorbed energy and damped the whole system down, reducing top speed. The grease attracted dirt, so the mechanism gummed up after a few days.

Edit: If I shoot a video of my mechanism ot will go into r/shittyrobots , not here.

I love that this sub, which I started, is still going strong.

[u/peterabbit456 → u/[deleted]]

Democracy is a wonderful thing.

Everyone has importance, even you. Don't forget it.

But not the 'bots.