At first, our initial thoughts only included some ideas that we may use in making our device, inspired by the precedents (trotting horse lamp and angel chimes). However, when we come to the actual design of the device, we focus more on the materials, techniques, and how to connect different parts together. The first thing we must consider is the possibility of different ideas, then we choose the one that can be successful and move on to designing the device. Finally, it arrived at this iteration of our device.

 

Material List:

1. 40 cm wood stick *1
2. wood *6 pieces
3. half-transparent paper *4
4. A4 paper *2
5. candle *4
6. 5cm string *4
7. thin wires
8. hot glue gun
9. cardboard

 

Our Design (with measurements)

We also need to use the laser cutter to cut out the outer case, base, and top, which are made of wood.

 

For creating our design, we decided to make the inside part first since it is more complex and is the essential part of the device.

1. First, we will measure out the dimension of the candles and then make holders (made of cardboard) to place the candle. This ensures that the candles will not move, which is safer and makes it easier to replace old candles with new ones when it burns out.
2. Then, we will use the laser cutter to cut out the wooden platform (the cross at the base and top). Its length is 15cm, and its width will be determined by the size of the candle holders.
3. After completing the base, we glued the four candle holders on the base.
4. Furthermore, we will make sure that there is a small hole on both the base and top. This is for the 40cm wood stick to stick in, which means that it will not fall off but also have space for it to spin when the device is working.
5. Moreover, we will move on to working on the mechanism part. We would first cut out a circle with a diameter of 15cm and then cut it into 8 triangles; half of each triangle will be folded up, creating a spinning platform (shown below).
6. Then we attach the spinning platform to the stick and move on to paper figures. We decided to use paper to make four long-long or dragon figures.
7. At the same time, we will ensure that all figures have a small hole on top of it and connect it to the spinning platform with 5cm strings. We will check that there is no safety issue when using it, for instance, putting the figures higher, which prevents them from burning.
8. Additionally, we will notify our device succeeded by looking at whether the figures are spinning when the candles are lit up (success criteria).
9. Finally, we will create the outer case using wood pieces that are cut off by the laser cutter.
10. Then, glued transparent papers onto the inner square on each side and connected each piece of wood using hot glue. The wooden platform (top) I mentioned before will also connect with the outer case.
11. Lastly, we combined the inside part and outer case together to finish our final device.