Sonic Cosmos was a collaboration for British Science Festival between Tim Shaw, Ryan Collins and myself, an electro-mechanical Orrery built from lasercut perspex and ball-bearings. Tim and Ryan led the project and created the surrounding soundscape.

The Orrery itself was made up of 8 separate custom gearboxes, each driven by a stepper motor.

The motors were driven by 2 arduinos running 8 easydriver stepper shields. 

The black boxes are counterweights, to reduce friction at the main bearings and also balance the entire Orrery, which hangs on a cable.

Handmade bearing races work suprisingly well.