How to Make a Rubber Band Motor for Robots
Rubber bands are capable of storing potential energy in the form of stretched-out rubber molecules. When the rubber band is released, the energy is either lost in the snap back...or, with a little ingenuity, it can be transferred to move a component of a simple machine, like a basic robot.
In fact, using rubber band motors to power the components of a small robot is a relatively simple process, and can be completed in minutes.
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Instructions
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Drive the tack into the center of the pencil, between the writing tip and the eraser end (if applicable).
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Bend the rubber band into a long, thin oval. Lay one end of the rubber oval across the center of the pencil, around the tack.
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Clip the bag clip to a stationary object, generally some structural component of the machine you're building.
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Wrap the end of the rubber band opposite the thumb tack around the metal end of the bag clip, and tie a small knot.
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Rotate the pencil away from the bag clip in such a way that the rubber band curls around the pencil. Rotate the pencil until the rubber band is taut with potential energy.
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Release the pencil, and the rubber band will contract again, rolling the pencil quickly in the opposite direction it was rotated.
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Attach wheels, fins, propellers, gears or other components of your robot to the end(s) of the pencil. When rotated and then released, the rubber band motor will rapidly spin those components, creating energy to be used for your robot.
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