The Tower Windmill from UGears is more than a mechanical puzzle. It is an exciting adventure into the history of old England. The model is based on the Chesterton Windmill, a 17th-century cylindrical stone tower windmill that was built outside the village of Chesterton, Warwickshire county. Built around 1632-33, the Windmill was restored between 1965 and 1974 and today it is the earliest tower mill in England to retain any of its working parts. This unique construction with an arched base was presumably built by a prominent figure of the period, Sir Edward Peyto that owned Chesterton Manor at that time.
This Ugears model designed in “Victorian steam-punk skeleton” style is based on a prototype from Chesterton. When spinning rapidly the aerodynamic twist sails create fairly strong wind. It also can work the other way around: blowing air directed at the sails will make them spin. Use a fan to demonstrate to your kids how real windmills operate. A double planetary gear reducer with differently shaped gears provides the necessary speed.
The model is powered by a removable rubber band motor. Once the motor is removed, the Windmill can work in a manual mode that allows you to observe and examine the fascinating complex mechanism in detail. The rubber band motor drives the sails by means of a screw conveyor (worm feeder) and gear transmission. The design of the gear transmission includes a flexure link, the type of chain drive assembled out of many small links. The full-fledged chain drive made out of plywood has never been used in the Ugears models before.
Tools and materials:
Made of high quality plywood; assembly requires no glue or cutting.
Number of components: 585
Estimated time of assembly: 12-15 hours
Assembling and discovering Ugears models is a smart and engaging hobby for grown-ups and kids of all ages. All Ugears models are made of sustainably sourced wood and require neither glue nor special tools to be fully assembled into functional working models. Also, there is no need for batteries or any external power source as they are powered by rubber bands, gears, cranks and gravity.
Each Ugears model is not just a construction kit but an incarnate IDEA of a PERFECT mechanism. Putting them together, you bring the idea to life.
This model is only one of many that we stock in our Ugears Model Kits range from Ugears Australia. This range is also part of our STEM Engineering & Construction collection, which has even more building kits for you to choose from.
