PROJECT: 3D Printed Curta Mechanical Calculator Type 1
Curta is such a beauty, I wanted to have one for a long time. After seeing a 3D printed Curta, I had a plan to make one as soon as I had an access to the 3D printer. Later I learned how much work that was involved in building one. Several hundred hours of high resolution prints as well as the difficulty of printing mechanical parts that can easily break or wear out depending on the filament types and the direction of the print. Also, the assembly requires incorporation of many hardware parts as well as modifying printed parts.
Well.. now that my Prusa Mini have arrived and some of the priority parts for the other projects have been completed, it is time to take on the Curta Type 1 project. I fully (or maybe not) understand the scale of this project, so I will be taking it slow and avoid getting frustrated. I plan to use the down time in between projects to build it slowly and to ensure it gets a full attention that it deserves. I must say I am very very excited as I will have a full access to the inner workings of a Curta Mechanical Calculator as well as a hands-on experience of building one.
There is a Curta Type 1 that have been getting updates from the original maker/designer which I am using. Once I get this project done, I may venture in to the Curta Type 2 (the designer have made it, but have not yet printed it as of June 2020, so mach debugging effort maybe needed). Also, it will be very cool, if I can design a Type 3 version incorporating modern engineering and perhaps make it a bit closer to the original size like 2:1 size. Here we go!
Curta Type 1 - I used the 5/12/2020 updated version
Curta Type II
Thingivers Curta Group
Status as of 6/19/2020
Most of the external 3D parts have been printed
Used the Hatchbox PLA, 1.75mm, Black
Next step is to print internal parts using silver color filament
Current Status
Started printing larger parts leveraging printer downtime during the nights.
Using eSun PLA, 1.75mm, Silver (silver is more like gray)
Once I have a set of key parts printed, I will test fit them and order necessary hardware parts.
CURTA PROJECT VISION & GOALS
VISION
As a child, I had a certain fascination for electronic calculators. Only when I became a grownup, I learned about a Curta Mechanical Calculator. A small precision mechanical device that is a thing of beauty. What is more beautiful is the story of the inventor and the elegant design of the Curta. It is perhaps the first, only, and the last mechanical, portable, pocket calculator. Building one will provide a deeper insights and the engineering tradeoffs that the inventor had to make. Learning such insights and the wisdom of engineering is what I thrive on.
GOALS
2020 - Make a working Curta Type 1 model based on the 3D printed parts (along the way, also learn the art of digital fabrication and rapid prototyping by using a 3D printing technology)