A new 3D printing project by British YouTuber Robert Murray-Smith presents a digitally produced version of a mechanical precision instrument from the 19th century. The so-called eidograph, a further development of the pantograph, is used for the exact enlargement and reduction of drawings. Murray-Smith has made his version available free of charge as a printable model on the Thingiverse platform.
The Scottish mathematician William Wallace developed the eidograph. In contrast to the classic pantograph, the central pivot point of the eidograph is positioned in the middle. This improves stability and enables more precise scaling. In industrial applications, the device was used to reproduce engravings or technical drawings, for example, but became less important with the advent of digital processes.
The model presented consists of several modular components that can be manufactured entirely using an FDM printer. Murray-Smith uses primitive CAD design with simple solids such as cylinders and cuboids. Special attention is paid to the mechanical chain: instead of wire, the 3D printed model uses 58 movable plastic links. The links can be connected manually and form a flexible transmission system.
The design makes it possible to trace a template with a pen or pointer, while a second pen simultaneously creates an enlarged or reduced copy. Scaling is achieved by changing the lever positions on the central axis. Additional components such as clamping jaws, clamping screws and connecting links ensure a functional implementation of the historical principle.
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