3D Printed Curta Part I
The Backstory
I have been bitten by the 3D printing bug. I built a large (16"x16"x10") 3D printer and I have been enjoying printing replacement parts, prototypes, and toys. Among the useful items I have printed have been blocks that connect to duplo sized building blocks with wooden train track rails on top for my son, a product prototype for my brother, Peter, and a replacement center armrest latch for my VW Jetta.I also have
One aspect I was not very interested in when I built my 3D printer was CAD, but now I am comfortable in a few different software suites. From the very beginning I challenged myself with tough projects. I designed a pneumatic flat-four boxer engine which is not complete yet; I did much of the work for the product prototype I mentioned for Peter; and I have made slight alterations to some of the models sent to me through 3D Hubs.
I have been working on another project with Peter which involved a number of mechanical counters. In the process of researching for that, Peter came across the Curta mechanical calculator. The device has a fascinating history and a design that is even more-so. Many mechanical calculators have been designed. The Curta was not the first or the last, but it is the most elegantly designed I have seen.
The Challenge
It did not take long after having seen the above video (made with the fantastic Curta Simulator named YACS) before I desired to 3D print and build a Curta. I want one to play with, but they are expensive (they go for around $700 to more than $1000 on eBay). I am also enamored with the idea of doing all the work to build one myself. It's like putting together a model airplane except I am also designing the parts for the model. To my knowledge this particular feat has not been done on a 3D printer before. The Curta disassembly page claims an astounding 605 parts. Many of those are repeated, but there are still around 150 unique parts that will have to be modeled.Luckily, Olaf Veenstra who put together the YACS demo was able to direct me to the original Curta engineering drawings. Together with OnShape, I have been working on modeling everything I need to 3D print a Curta.
My 3D printer is nowhere near precise or accurate enough to print a 1:1 scale Curta. Instead I will be printing at about 4:1 (possibly a little bit larger than that if I come across anything that I need to print larger). Despite scaling it up 400%, the tolerances between mating parts are much too small for most 3D printers -- even for some very expensive professional printers.
Update: I ended up printing at 3:1 scale instead of 4:1.
To combat these issues, I have designed and printed a mechanical fit test on my printer and have calculated what tolerances I need based off of that. I will alter the design from the original engineering drawings to accommodate the 3D printer's abilities. I will also probably combine some parts that do not need to be separate parts with a 3D printer. After watching an assembly of a Curta, I realize I will not be able to accomplish anywhere near as smooth action. Despite that, I am optimistic that I will be able to pull off a working calculator.
The Progress
Below are a few screenshots and descriptions of parts I have modeled so far. I will probably wait to post about this project again until I have modeled all of the parts and have begun some test prints and assemblies.![]() |
Five point ratchet gear. This is rotated 1/5 (one tooth) * the value of the digit it represents while adding. When subtracting, it rotates the nine's complement of the digit it represents. |
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This is the body of the tens bell. There are various rings that go around its base which handle carries from one digit to the next. |
Hi, i am from india. And i am interested in the project too. Is there any way i can contribute? I have assembled few pursa 3 machines, but i do not know CAD, but I can take help from my friends.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your offer. I have completed the CAD work, started printing, and also assembling the Curta. See my other posts: Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, and Part VII. I am most of the way to a Part VIII post, but there are a few more parts that I need to complete printing.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good post. This post gives truly quality information. I’m definitely going to look into it. Really very useful tips are provided here. Thank you so much. Keep up the good works. 3d printable car
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ReplyDeleteWhat a great way of not loosing the knowledge from the past, that otherwise would be lost for ever. Even if they are larger than the original, I think you have made a terrific job. For the completeness of this historical piece, there are, however, another things that are so or more important than the calculator. The tools to make it and assemble it. Are you thinking of reproducing the tools (like the ones in the assembling youtube video)?
ReplyDeleteI have done my best to track and document all of the tools I used. They are listed in my build document on thingiverse (www.thingiverse.com/thing:1943171) as well as on the instructable (https://www.instructables.com/id/Build-a-3D-Printed-Curta-Calculator/)
Deletehi, i'm very very very like this project but i
ReplyDeletenot enough knowledge to make this project,
So I want to buy one from you, can you help me ?
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ReplyDeleteAnd I thought I was the maddest scientist... What a great project! I am reading thru your notes and having a printer plus cnc mills and lathes, just might give it a try. Thanks for sharing. By the way, how long did it take you to get a working model, start to finish?
ReplyDeleteI believe it was about a year and a half starting from the planning and research. CNC machining tools sound fun, are you planning a 1:1 scale replica? I'd love to chat, there is contact information on the profile on my blog.
DeleteHey I'm wondering if the new 8k printers could allow you to make them 1:1 scale? If so I'd be really interested in buying one.
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