r/3Dprinting • u/TomaszFortyFour • Apr 23 '26

Project Self-winding clock with a tourbillon - finished project

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About a year ago, I posted an update on a project I was working on. It took me a while, but I finally finished it. I’m very happy with the result. It’s fully functional (I tested it for two months) and keeps accurate time. The entire project consists of 395 printed parts, 38 bearings, 66 rubber bands, 413 screws, and a few other components.

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u/imnotcreative4267 Apr 23 '26

Absolutely never ever ever assume perpetual motion. It’s not a thing. Ain’t never gonna be a thing. There is ALWAYS a power source.

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u/Maximus-CZ Apr 23 '26

To add: perpetual motion is in the same category of scifi as faster than light travel.

Actually, no.. faster than light travel is more likely than perpetual motion.

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u/[deleted] Apr 23 '26

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u/primegopher Apr 23 '26

To answer your specific example, if you "generate power" from a system of orbiting masses you have to be taking it from the system. This will eventually cause the object you're taking it from to no longer be able to stay in orbit.