Mechanics for Creating Wooden Automatons
A course by Eduardo Salzane , Artist
Learn to build gears, cranks, and links with simple tools to create moving sculptures that simulate wings flapping.
¨Wings are elements of nature that stir our imagination, and rebuilding a flight with wood and metal involves enchanting and fun engineering.¨, says Eduardo Salzane, artist and craftsman of automatons, that is, of sculptures that move from a crank.
Eduardo has held several exhibitions throughout Brazil and his work has been recognized by publications such as Automata Magazine. For him, each automaton is an opportunity to express our feelings and our relationship with the world.
Now, in this online course, he will teach you how to build gears, links and cranks to create a mechanism that reproduces the movement of flapping wings.
You can learn more from Eduardo in the course Wooden Automata: Bring Sculptures to Life with Movement. Explore mechanics and create poetic narratives with wood and simple materials!
What will you learn in this online course?
17 lessons & 23 downloads
- 99% positive reviews (113)
- 8,047 students
- 17 lessons (2h 15m)
- 23 additional resources (7 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: Portuguese, English, Spanish (Latam), French, Indonesian, Italian, Romanian, Turkish
- Portuguese · Spanish · English · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Romanian · Indonesian
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
You will create a wooden automaton with gears, links and a crank that generate the flapping movement.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
To any enthusiast of wood, sculpture and mechanics who want to have fun building.
Requirements and materials
No prior knowledge is required to take the course.
You will need basic woodworking tools such as a saw, hammer, drill, sandpaper, glue, pliers, wrenches, screws and dowels, as well as plywood, sheets and wooden sticks. It will also be important to have paper or fabric for finishing and goggles and a mask to protect yourself.
Reviews
Eduardo Salzane
A course by Eduardo Salzane
Graduated in social communication from Unesp, artist Eduardo Salzane has already worked with authorial photography, puppet theater and some circus modalities before specializing in the universe of automatons — sculptures that move from a crank.
He has given workshops at different institutions throughout Brazil and his works have been exhibited in several galleries in the interior of São Paulo and at the Ecomuseum of Itaipu, in Foz do Iguaçu. Currently, he develops his work with reused wood and creates a universe of poetry in motion in each of his pieces.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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About Me
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Influences
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U2
The Design Mechanics
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Mechanical Principles
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Cranks
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Links
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Gears
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Tools and Materials
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U3
Parts Manufacturing
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Schematic Drawing of the Project
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Base Cut
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Drilling and Assembly of the Base
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Link Cutting and Drilling
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Gear Cutting
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Positioning of Shafts and Gears
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Positioning of the Links
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U4
Assembly and Finishing
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Construction of the Structure and Finishing of the Wings
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Assembly
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Other Possibilities
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FP
Final project
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Mechanics for Creating Wooden Automatons
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
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Get front-row seats
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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FAQs
You’ll learn to build mechanisms like cranks, gears, linkages, and levers, applying woodworking skills and mechanical principles to create artistic automata and moving sculptures.
No prior woodworking or mechanical experience is required, though basic knowledge helps. The course is intermediate level, perfect for those with some hands-on craft experience.
You’ll need basic hand tools like a handsaw, drill, drill bits, caliper, and wood glue, plus wood pieces, screws, and some recycled materials.
Yes, the course covers building mechanisms to flap wings and simulate natural movements using cranks, linkages, and gears, inspired by observing nature.
Yes, you’ll learn how to design, cut, fit, and assemble wooden gears, and understand how they transfer, modify, and control motion in automatic mechanisms.
Yes, the course introduces both historical and contemporary artists, their works, and how their innovations have shaped artistic mechanics and automata development.
After the course, you’ll be able to create wooden automata, kinetic sculptures, handcrafted lamps, and custom mechanisms for artistic and creative uses.
Me encantó este curso. te da los conocimientos basicos de mecanica. Es muy motivador. el profesor tiene mucho conocimiento.
An excellent, simple to follow course. The project is clearly described and a joy to see working at the end. Eduardo explains every aspect including the mechanical aspects and basic mechanics and practical demonstrations using all the tools required. The pace and structure of the lessons allows the construction in a methodical way. I cannot wait to build this project and look forward to more advance courses by Eduardo.
Muy bueno
Muy buen curso, claro, conciso y lleno de aydas y conceptos
excelente contido, excelente Mestre!! Obrigado