15  solar panels,  1 volt, 400 mAmp  - to convert light energy to electrical energy
10 m wire, red     - to conduct electrical current
10 m wire, black   - “  “
15  motors    - to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy
20  motor mounting clips - to hold motor firmly to body
15  motor pulleys   - to transfer mechanical energy to drive belt
20  bushings, 2 - 4 mm   - to connect pulleys/wheels directly to motor shaft
35  pulleys, 1”    - driven pulley, or wheel
45  pulleys, 1-1/2”    - driven pulley, wheels
35  pulleys, 2”    - wheels or pulleys
35  o-ring, 1”   - drive tire
35  o-rings, 1-1/2”  - tires
35  o-rings, 2”    - tires
70  wood wheels  - wheels
40  dowels, 4 mm x 10 cm   - axles
200  screw eyes    - axle holders
45  wood blocks   - to stabilize screw eyes
12 ft. vinyl tubing   - to be cut into spacers, shaft retainers for axles; and into couplers
15  worm gears   - to drive toothed gears (can’t be driven)
10   gears, 10 tooth  - Gears, to transfer mechanical energy
10   gears, 20 tooth  -     “
10   gears, 30 tooth  -     “
10   gears, 40 tooth  -     “
10   gears, 50 tooth  -     “
15  propellors  - fans, boats
20  coroplast, 4 mm (7 x 12 cm) - body, optional
25  elastic bands #16   - drive belt to transfer energy to driven pulley
25  elastic bands #18   -  “  “   “
15  elastic band, 6”  - “  “   “
30  fasteners, 3/4”  - to hold solar panel to body
2  mirrors, 4”, plastic  - to reflect light energy

   Tools and Supplies

15 wood 10 mm x 10 mm, 2 foot lengths
15 dowels, 4 mm (5/32") x 2 foot lengths
4  coroplast sheets, 4mm x 12" x 15”
1  benchhook with mitrebox, small
1  hacksaw, junior
2  hacksaw blades, 32 teeth per inch, fine
2  jointers
8  sheets card corners
2  bulldog clips
1  goggles
1  pliers
2  screwdriver/wirestrippers
20  sandpaper (4 x 6 cm)

    The gears and pulley-wheels fit snugly onto the 5/32" dowel, which is held in place by screw eyes, and kept from slipping by vinyl tubing snippets. Using screw eyes as shaft holders allow incorporation of a wide variety of recycled materials. The fit of gears, pulleys, and wheels onto the same size dowel makes machine-building easy. The red bushing insert means every size gear or pulley can be mounted directly to the motor as well.

 August 14, 2001