A couple of months ago someone pointed me to this fascinating video from Disney Research – Computational Design of Mechanical Characters. It’s full of some amazing character models featuring realistic motion, all achieved using mechanical links and gears. Of course I was immediately inspired to build my own version of the Sisyphus model out of LEGO parts. I definitely wanted to add my own touch to it though and, in addition to tweaking the geometry a little, I decided to add a boulder and extend the motion to it as well.
You can see the results in the video below, where I also discuss the details of the mechanics.
I have put together building instructions for both the full model and just the core, if you are only interested in building the main mechanism.
Depending on the relative orientation of the two crank shafts when you connect the chain, the motion of the legs and the body/boulder may not be in sync. It’s quite easy to adjust this after the fact – just slide the 12 tooth double bevel gear (the black one on the main drive shaft) to disengage the leg crank shaft, orient the two crank shafts as they are depicted in the instructions, then reengage the gear.
Made it! But it’s colorful. How do I get it not colorful.
How much do they cost all the pieces to make Sisyphus Kinetic Sculpture
I’m trying to open the pdf file but somehow it doesn’t load, an it happens all around the page, does somebody has the same problem and know how to fix it?
It’s a pretty large file, so it might take a while to load. Maybe trying downloading it instead of opening it directly?
I’ve also been having this problem. When I try to open the file, there is a blank gray screen. The browser I am using is chrome, and there are not any download instructions. Could you please give me step by step instructions on how to download a pdf file (on chrome)?
Nevermind, I figured out how; I am a complete computer noob. But the gray minifigures and some of the parts are fairly expensive, any idea of how to dye legos?
Try right clicking on the link and selecting ‘Save link as…”
Just finished building the Sisyphus model, immensely satisfying and a great display piece. My knowledge of Greek mythology was lacking and reading about Sisyphus added a further educational element to this project. Thank you for sharing your design, I would highly recommend it to anyone.
One request however, I would really love to make the cow jumped over the moon nursery rhyme models, so please consider publishing the instructions.
Thank again.
I made it!!!! Great!! Thank you for sharing your ideas!
Luca (Italy)
You’re welcome!
Dear Jason, I really like your Sisyphus model. Can you sell me one set please?
Dear Jason I was wondering if for the model you need to use the technic chain coz I don’t have it
It’s probably possible to use a set of gears to transfer the motion, but I think it would require quite a few changes to the design of the interior.
Hi Jason. I really love your work. Would you consider selling to me the Sisyphus model?
Me too!! Please sell me one!! I am suffering from collecting those parts !!
Sorry, I don’t have any kits for sale. There is at least one bricklink store that currently sells all the parts for it: http://heartbricker.com
Thanks for your reply! I am starting to find those parts!!