Matthias Wandel built a beautiful 6 digit binary computer out of wood. If you want to build one, he even gives you some more information and instructions, plus the plans. Here's a video showing it in action: Another video …
Once I had that idea, I knew I had to try it at some point, and recently, I finally got around to building my marble binary adding machine. The core of the invention is a modification of the divide by two flipflop to retain the marble that falls off the right side, and retain it until the flipflop is flipped to the left by the next marble.
The marble adding machine adds 6-bit, positive binary integers; that is, numbers, when expressed in decimal form, are between 0 and 63 (of course adding zero is not interesting — there's nothing to do).
These were necessary because sometimes a marble would bounce off at an odd angle and become ejected from the machine, resulting in a computational error. This photo shows the mechanism, with extra guides to keep the marbles from falling out.
Matthias Wandel built a beautiful 6 digit binary computer out of wood. If you want to build one, he even gives you some more information and instructions, plus the plans. Here's a video showing it in action: Another video with a few more details regarding its operation: A similar device was built by Matt Donahoe and Jeff DeCew out of LEGO.
If a flipflip was holding a marble, it will fall down, and remain on the sum-line. There you can read (or count) the result of the sum. As the upper slider is always closed when no handle is used, it …
You'll learn a 'bit' about binary numbers (the foundation of all computer operations), have hands-on time programming marble driven computers for gaming, math, and problem solving, and use a marble-based binary calculator to perform simple addition.
yol Calculator, Slim Elegant Design, Office/Home Electronics, Dual Powered Desktop Calculator, Solar Power, 10 Digits, Tilted LCD Display, Inclined Design, Black (Slim)
Marble Adding Machine. Make a mechanical, gravity-powered, binary calculator that uses wooden levers and channels to count.
marble adding machine. make a mechanical, gravity-powered, binary calculator that uses wooden levers and channels to count. by matthias wandel
If a flipflip was holding a marble, it will fall down, and remain on the sum-line. There you can read (or count) the result of the sum. As the upper slider is always closed when no handle is used, it has a spring that automatically close the slider.
The marble adding machine adds 6-bit, positive binary integers; that is, numbers, when expressed in decimal form, are between 0 and 63 (of course adding zero is not …
Once I had that idea, I knew I had to try it at some point, and recently, I finally got around to building my marble binary adding machine. The core of the invention is a modification of the divide by two flipflop to retain the …
P: play/pause R: Reset Calculator CLICK: Add marble Mouse Wheel: Zoom play/pause R: Reset Calculator CLICK: Add marble Mouse Wheel: Zoom
These were necessary because sometimes a marble would bounce off at an odd angle and become ejected from the machine, resulting in a computational error. This photo shows the mechanism, with extra guides to keep the marbles from …
You'll learn a 'bit' about binary numbers (the foundation of all computer operations), have hands-on time programming marble driven computers for gaming, math, and problem solving, and …
