Antikythera Planetary Prediction Mechanism

The goal of the project is to reengineer and create a prototype of an ancient Greek device that was used to predict astronomical portions of know celestial entities based on the Jian-Liang Lin and Hong-Sen Yan design.

=Problem Definition=

Background
The Antikythera mechanism is an ancient Greek analogue computer and orrery used to predict astronomical positions and eclipses for calendar and astrological purposes decades in advance. It could also track the four-year cycle of athletic games which was similar to an Olympiad, the cycle of the ancient Olympic Games.

The artifact was discovered on 17 May 1902 by archaeologist Valerios Stais in a shipwreck, dated between 70-60 BC, found off the coast of the Greek island Antikythera. The instrument is believed to have been designed and constructed by Greek scientists and has been dated to about 100 BC.

Deliverables

 * Schmit Offset couplings
 * Check if two discs works instead of three
 * Design in Solidworks
 * Prototype large size
 * Prototype actual size
 * Find new location for third axle
 * Secure axles on each side of couplings
 * Create out of brass (get Bill’s help)
 * Assemble couplings and device
 * Straighten offset axles
 * Check problem
 * Assembled wrong?
 * Material weakness?
 * Fix problem
 * Reassemble device
 * Find way to fix center axle
 * Glue?
 * Less permanent way?
 * Design spiral
 * Switch dates from Greek calendar to modern calendar
 * Design dial to turn gears
 * Design extending pointer
 * Find aesthetic design
 * Make overall width and height smaller
 * New material other than acrylic?
 * Have to do this after date spiral is designed
 * “form follows function”
 * Lunar phase gear

Schedule Requirements

 * Schmidt Offset couplings:
 * Design in Solidworks:						                      6/15/18
 * Prototype large size:						                      6/15/18
 * Prototype actual size:						                      6/21/18
 * Straighten offset axles:						              6/26/18
 * Fix center axle:							                      6/26/18
 * Design spiral:
 * Switch dates from Greek calendar to modern calendar:		7/3/18
 * Design dial to turn gears:						               7/3/18
 * Design extending pointer:						               7/10/18
 * Find aesthetic design:						               7/30/18
 * Make overall width and height smaller:				       7/10/18
 * Lunar phase gear:							                       7/30/18

=Design Considerations=

=Project Learning=

=Final Design=

=Validation=

=Team Members=

=Additional Documentation=

Project Schedule



Meeting Minutes



Presentations



Client Interview