An Archimedes Trammel is a simple mechanism to draw an ellipse. It consists of a base which has two perpendicular channels/rails/tracks, two sliders and a connecting rod. The sliders are confined/trammelled into each of the tracks and the rod is connected to both the sliders at two different points such that if the rod end is rotated, the sliders move in a to-and-fro motion. This motion of the sliders causes the rod end and all other points on the rod to move in an elliptical path. The distance between the rod end to the first pivot (closer pivot) is the minor radius and that to the second pivot is the major radius of the ellipse. The midpoint between the two pivots rotates in a circular path and has the diameter equal to the distance between the two pivots.
3D Printing Implementation[edit | edit source]
A 3D model of Ellipse Template Jig is printed through 3D printing technique. There are 4 main parts: 1) One base 2) Two sliders 3) One connecting rod 4) Two stoppers
The base has two perpendicular tracks/rails. The sliders are confined/trammelled in each of the tracks in such a way that they can just translate about their respective tracks. The rod is connected to both the sliders at two different points and then fixed with the stoppers at the top.
The material used is PLA and the model was printed using a nozzle of 0.25 mm.
Applications[edit | edit source]
This device can be used to draw, cut or machine ellipses. It can be used as a great tool to help maths students learn about ellipse and its properties. It can help them understand tough concepts of parameters and locus of an ellipse in a very easy way. Students can also utilize this tool to cut wooden pieces or metallic sheets of elliptical shapes.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
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Base
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Slider
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Rod
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Stopper
Link to this project on MyMiniFactory: https://www.myminifactory.com/object/3d-print-136262
