Complex Barrel Cam Writing Machine

The “Complex Barrel Cam Writing Machine” is an advanced project that demonstrates the mechanical potential of barrel cams to encode and generate complex movements.

See here for video: https://youtu.be/-QQxDgqsT68

See here for stable download: https://thangs.com/mythangs/file/42309

Included here Is a calibration cam that produces return movements along the y direction, x direction (inner and outer range) and diagonal.

See here for other compatible barrel cams:
Mechanical Cast Signing Machine: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4723372
F**K 2020: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4702239

The barrel cams are designed by plotting shapes from an xy plane onto a cylinder. Movement in the x direction is plotted helically along the length of the cylinder. Movement in the y direction is plotted along the radius of the sphere. When the cylinder is rotated, the follower and piston reproduce the shape back onto the xy plane.