Make a Levitating Motor out of Pencils and Magnets - 7:30 AM How
often, really, do you get to see something levitate? I did, at
(where else?) Maker Faire New York last September. Chris Connors
showed me this project. It consists of a base made out of
pencils and 3D-printed connectors, with magnets placed to repel
a rotating pencil equipped with its own magnets as well as a
mess of magnet wire powered by small solar cells. The Mendocino
Motor floats in its own magnetic field and converts light into
electricity and magnetism, which are then converted into the
motion of the motor. Building and studying this project provides
the satisfaction of creating an amazing bit of technology, and
the opportunity to explore magnetism, electromagnetism, electric
motors, solar power generation, and personal manufacturing.
Build the base that holds the magnets and provides a bearing
point for the motor. Then wind the motor coils, and solder them
to the solar cells. When the motor is assembled, you’ll balance
it so it spins fre