Posted to News on 27th Jun 2014, 00:00
Power for kinetic sculptures from Chitty Chitty Bang Bangp2
Geared motor manufacturer Parvalux is delighted that its products are used to power kinetic sculptures featured in an exhibition celebrating the work of British cartoonist and inventor Rowland Emett. Emett was the creator of the weird and wonderful machines featured in the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The exhibition, titled 'Marvellous Machines: The Wonderful World of Rowland Emett' launched in May at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. It is the largest ever display of Emett's work and is organised by Tim Griffiths, the co-founder of the Rowland Emett Society.
>Tim required a replacement geared motor for a machine in time for the exhibition. He arrived at the Parvalux Service Centre in Birmingham looking for a replacement for a Parvalux geared motor which had been powering a machine for nearly 50 years. The Parvalux team were able to identify the geared motor as an SD13M by tracing its original purchase in 1967. They were then able to supply a modern version of the product with a rapid turnaround.
>The SD13 motor, when used with the M gearbox, provides 97rpm - the slow, steady power required for the kinetic sculptures. Visitors to the exhibition will see Parvalux geared motors powering several attractions including the Featherstone-Kite, an elaborate flying machine whose flight is also 'assisted' by a swarm of silver butterflies. This is one of many examples of the eccentricity that is in abundance throughout Emett's collection. Parvalux motors are also the driving force for several inventions from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Parvalux SD13Ms power the wonderful Clockwork Lullabye Machine, the Humbug Major Sweet Machine and the Vivivision Machine, which appear in the British musical film.
>Pardeep Rajput, director of operations at Parvalux Service Centre, is pleased that Parvalux is featured as part of the exhibition: "It's immensely satisfying to provide the geared motors to power these ingenious machines. This is a typical example of the satisfactory service that we offer for a variety of applications on a day to day basis."
>Tim, co-founder of the Rowland Emett Society, is delighted with the service that he received from Parvalux and he discovered some interesting biographical information about Emett in the process. "Parvalux were able to quickly identify the replacement product required for the exhibition. Furthermore, we are developing a biography of Rowland Emett's life and the staff were even able to provide details about the location of the original purchase in 1967! This will allow us to piece together the history of the machines."
>Tim believes that the quirky machines in the exhibition will spark the imagination of visitors of all ages. "The purpose of the exhibition is to celebrate the work of Rowland Emett and we are hoping that the inventions will inspire young people to pursue a career in engineering."
