🌸 Spring Awakening Automaton: Multi-Axle Easter Scene with Dancing Eggs, Jumping Bunny & Fluttering Butterflies

1. https://www.facebook.com/groups/xtoolofficial/permalink/1432050291989740/?mibextid=Nif5oz
2. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02T1AbytQp3PkAJAd57nVVif1okYmZ4JpARuZWDns4dgdtFxeRay5NTqbD7HFKgjULl&id=1628374474&mibextid=Nif5oz
3. https://www.facebook.com/groups/atommcommunity/permalink/3839840232990096/?mibextid=Nif5oz
4. https://www.facebook.com/groups/laserengravergroupforbeginner/permalink/1267017445616738/?mibextid=Nif5oz

Before cutting anything, we need to carefully plan the materials and structure of the automaton.

This project combines lightweight moving elements with strong mechanical components, so choosing the right materials is critical.

🧠 Design Overview

The automaton is divided into 3 major systems:

Each part uses a different material based on its function.

🪵 Materials Used

1. Basswood (3 mm) — Structure + Characters

Used for:

• Box panels (top, bottom, sides)
• Character elements (eggs, bunny, butterfly, grass)
• Followers (vertical rods)

👉 Why basswood:

• easy to laser cut
• lightweight (important for motion)
• clean engraving finish

2. MDF (12 mm) — Cams

Used for:

• All cam profiles

👉 Why MDF:

• strong and stable
• handles high lift (20–25 mm) without flex
• smooth surface for consistent motion

3. Wooden Dowels (Axles)

• Diameter: 10.9 mm
• Used for all 4 rotating shafts

4. Spacers (3 mm basswood or washers)

Used to:

• separate cams
• prevent friction between components
• maintain alignment

⚙️ Design Considerations

While designing, keep these in mind:

🔹 Clearance (VERY IMPORTANT)

Because of high lift:

👉 Ensure enough vertical space inside the box

🔹 Hole Sizing

• Shaft hole (cams/gears): tight fit (≈10.9 mm)
• Support holes (side walls): 11.1–11.2 mm

👉 This allows:

• cams to rotate with shaft
• shaft to rotate smoothly in frame

🔹 Spacing Between Cams

Maintain:

👉 Prevents:

• follower collision
• mechanical interference

Now that the design is ready, we move to cutting all components.

🪵 Cutting Basswood (3 mm)

Used for:

• box panels
• characters
• spacers

Settings (xTool M1 / F2 typical OR Follow one in the File)

• Power: 90–100%
• Speed: 5–8 mm/s
• Passes: 1

👉 Always test on scrap first

🧱 Cutting MDF (12 mm) — Cams

Used for:

• all cam profiles (egg, bunny, butterfly)

⚠️ Important Notes

• MDF produces more smoke → ensure ventilation
• use masking if needed to reduce burn marks

Suggested Settings (approximate)

• Power: 100%
• Speed: 2–4 mm/s
• Passes: multiple (depending on laser power)

👉 You may need:

⚙️ Cutting Gears

Material:

• 3 mm or layered basswood (recommended double layer)

👉 Tip:

• glue 2 layers → stronger gear teeth

🔩 Cutting Spacers

• Outer diameter: ~12–15 mm
• Inner diameter: fits 10.9 mm shaft

👉 Use multiple spacers between cams

🧠 Pro Tips

1. Label Your Parts

Engrave small labels: C1, C2, C3...

👉 Makes assembly easy and looks professional

2. Sand Before Assembly

• lightly sand edges
• remove burn marks

👉 improves:

• motion smoothness
• final look

3. Dry Fit First

Before gluing: assemble everything once

👉 check:

• alignment
• rotation
• spacing

This step builds the power transmission system of the automaton — the part that synchronizes all 4 motions.

🧠 Goal of This Step

We want:

• synchronized motion
• consistent speed
• clean animation flow

⚙️ Gear System Overview

Your system uses:

• ⚙️ 4 axles (10.9 mm wooden dowels)
• ⚙️ Interconnected spur gears
• 🔁 Manual crank (or motor-ready input)

🔗 Gear Layout (Simple Chain)

Each gear drives the next axle.
 

🎯 Important Design Choice

👉 Use 1:1 gear ratio (same size gears)

This gives:

Which is important because:

• your motion is already phase-controlled by cams
• different speeds would break visual harmony

🪵 Step 3.1: Prepare the Axles

Cut 4 shafts:

Sand lightly

• ensure smooth rotation
• remove rough edges

Optional (Pro Upgrade)

👉 Add a flat side (D-shaft)

This prevents:

In this step, you will create all the visual elements of the automaton, including eggs, bunny, duckling, butterflies, and grass. These parts bring the scene to life and make the project feel playful and complete.

All characters are first printed using the Ink Module and then cut precisely using the Cutting Module on the xTool M1 Ultra.

🧠 Goal of This Step

• Make the automaton visually engaging and colorful
• Keep all moving parts lightweight
• Ensure clean edges and accurate shapes
• Add personality and storytelling to the sceneIn this step, you will create all the visual elements of the automaton, including eggs, bunny, duckling, butterflies, and grass. These parts bring the scene to life and make the project feel playful and complete.

🖼️ Prepare the Artwork

Create or import designs for all characters.

Include the following elements:

• Easter eggs with different patterns
• A bunny in side profile
• A small duckling
• Butterflies with simple symmetrical wings
• Grass with natural flowing shapes

Design tips:

• Use bold and simple shapes
• Avoid very fine details (they don’t engrave well)
• Keep designs slightly larger so they are visible when moving

Recommended sizes:

• Eggs: 25–30 mm
• Bunny: 35–45 mm
• Duckling: 25–35 mm
• Butterfly: 30–40 mm
• Grass: 20–30 mm

🖨️ Print Using the Ink Module

Place your basswood sheet into the machine and print the designs.

Key points:

• Use high resolution for clean output
• Make sure all designs are positioned correctly within the working area
• Double-check orientation before printing

Color suggestions:

• Use soft pastel colors for eggs
• Keep bunny tones light and natural
• Use yellow/orange for duckling
• Add light color accents for butterflies
• Use green tones for grass

Avoid very dark colors to keep the design soft and kid-friendly.

✂️ Cut Using the Cutting Module

After printing, switch to cutting mode and cut along the outlines.

Important things to check:

• Make sure the cut path aligns exactly with the printed design
• Use camera alignment or reference positioning

Typical settings for 3 mm basswood:

• Power: 90–100%
• Speed: 5–8 mm/s
• Passes: 1

Tips for clean results:

• Use masking tape to reduce burn marks
• Lightly sand edges after cutting if needed

🔧 Add Mounting Slots

Each character needs a slot at the bottom to attach to the follower rod.

Guidelines:

• Slot width: about 3 mm
• Slot height: 5–7 mm
• Keep the slot centered for balance

This ensures:

• easy attachment
• stable vertical motion

🧪 Dry Fit Test

Before final assembly, test everything.

What to do:

• Insert each character into its slot
• Move it up and down manually

Check for:

• smooth vertical movement
• no tilting
• no collisions with nearby parts

🧠 Pro Tips

• Keep all characters lightweight to avoid stressing the cams
• Balance the shapes so they don’t lean to one side
• Clean edges and good finishing improve the final look significantly

In this step, we bring together all components — cams, axles, followers, and characters — and tune the motion to create a smooth, synchronized animation.

🧠 Goal of This Step

• Convert rotational motion into clean vertical movement
• Synchronize all characters across the scene
• Achieve smooth, natural-looking animation
• Eliminate friction and wobble
• Remember Cut the Dowel based on the size that is required and along the stretch

⚙️ Install the Cam Sets

Start by mounting all cams onto their respective axles. Check the image for seeing how the cam set is attached

Axle breakdown:

• Axle 1 → Egg wave cams
• Axle 2 → Bunny jump cam
• Axle 3 → Butterfly cams

Assembly tips:

• Ensure each cam is tightly fitted on the shaft (no slipping)
• Maintain spacing between cams using spacers
• Align all cams in the same vertical plane as their followers

🎯 Set Cam Orientation (CRITICAL)

This is the most important part for smooth motion.

Each cam must be rotated to the correct starting position before fixing.

Guidelines:

• Egg cams → staggered (wave pattern from left to right)
• Bunny cam → peak aligned slightly after egg rise
• Butterfly cams → evenly phase shifted
• Grass cams → slightly offset for natural sway

Tip:

• Rotate the shaft manually and observe motion before fixing permanently

🔩 Insert Follower Rods

Now connect vertical rods to each cam.

Steps:

• Insert rods through top slots
• Position rods directly above cam high points
• Ensure rods move only vertically

Important:

• Rods should not tilt or bind
• Keep slot clearance tight (around 3–3.2 mm)

🐰 Attach Characters

Attach all printed and cut characters to the follower rods.

Order:

• Eggs → front row
• Bunny and duckling → middle
• Butterflies → back/top
• Grass → front/low layer

Attachment tips:

• Use light glue or friction fit
• Keep characters centered on rods
• Ensure weight is balanced

🧪 Dry Run (VERY IMPORTANT)

Before final fixing, test everything.

Rotate the crank slowly and observe:

• Do all elements move smoothly?
• Is there any collision between parts?
• Are movements synchronized?

Fix issues now before finalizing.

⚠️ Fine Tuning

This step makes the difference between good and great.

If motion feels jerky:

• sand cam edges lightly
• apply wax (or candle rub) on cam surfaces

If rods wobble:

• tighten slot width
• ensure rods are straight

If gears struggle:

• check alignment
• add spacers if needed

🎯 Final Fixing

Once everything works perfectly:

• glue cams permanently to shafts (if needed)
• secure gears
• ensure spacers stay in place

🏁 Final Motion Test

Rotate the crank continuously and observe the full scene.

You should now see:

• eggs moving in a smooth wave
• bunny jumping clearly and prominently
• butterflies bouncing/flapping
• grass gently swaying

The motion should feel:

• continuous
• synchronized
• alive

🧠 Pro Tips

• Add a tiny amount of lubricant (wax) for long-term smoothness
• Clean all visible surfaces
• ensure no glue marks are visible
• align characters neatly for visual balance

Engrave the above image in the front side of the scene box. Once done go ahead an apply the varnish and then paint it.