Prototype Design
To test our two linkages, we constructed a low-resolution prototype of both the Geneva mechanism as well as the four bar straight line Hoeckens linkage. This was our initial experimentation with using fused deposition modeling as well as laser-cutting acrylic.
Manufacturing challenges were seen in the use of the 3D FDM printers in the UT Maker Space. Even small components can take quite some time to build, and multiple attempts are usually necessary for usable components. The biggest challenge of using these machines was holding tolerances, as we planned to affix our Geneva driving wheel to a rotating shaft with adhesive (as keying was not an option).