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Maintenance
-Wear-
All load bearing moving surfaces
are subject to wear over time.
The official formula is:
WEAR=
FRICTION X RPM X LOAD X TIME
While this appears to doom
the aspiring kinetic sculptor,
it is not as damning as it first
may appear. Although I can't
do anything about the TIME factor,
for various practical reasons
the RPM and
the LOAD factors
are kept quite low in my sculptures.
Additionally, the application
of a lubricant can substantially
reduce the FRICTION component.
The end result is that (after
some initial experimentation
with the first ones) my sculptures
have been surprisingly resistant
to wear problems. Just be sure
to keep all bearing surfaces
lubricated.
I recommend that once a year
you place a drop of chain-lube
on each point where metal rubs
against metal. Chain-lube seems
to work best because it is heavy
duty and contains a penetrant
that carries the lubricant into
the wear point. It also comes
with a long thin tube to get
to hard to reach areas.
Just a note of caution: experience
has taught me not to use WD-40
because it tends to carry away
the lubricant and dry up
the surface making the bearing
more susceptible to corrosion.
-Dust-
These sculptures do tend
to be dust collectors. Luckily
the computer industry has developed
cans of compressed gas used
to blow dust from tiny heat
producing electrical components.
This is perfect for keeping
my sculptures clean.
One problem is dust and
pet hair trapped in lubricant
which makes for a gooey
concoction. The remedy is
a small cloth or Q-tip and
a little bit of solvent and
patience.
To prevent this condition,
it is best to lubricate only
the points you want and
limit the overspray.
-Damage-
I realize that my sculptures
must live in the real world
therefore, I do my best
to ruggedize them against bangs
and falls. It is nevertheless,
inevitable that some sculptures
will wind up bent. Don't panic!
My sculptures are made from
a mild steel which allows them
to be bent many times before metal
fatigue sets in. Using two small
pliers, grab both sides of the bend
and force it back to normal.
In most cases, if it looks good
enough to you, it will function
properly. I don't believe that there
is much you can do to make things
worse. Worst case, you may always
send it back to me for repair.
-General-
I love my machines! I cackle
maniacally whenever I discover
a new mechanism. Having said
this I must confess that I do not
leave any of my own sculptures
in my home, including clocks,
running indefinitely. I find the
noise irritating. I turn them on
only when displaying them for
guests or when I need a good laugh.
Given that I design my sculptures
for longevity, This protocol should
virtually ensure the life and health
of my sculptures.
inquiry at imachinationlabs dot com
© r. bruce salinger 2000-2012