Eastern Arizona College student Daniel Wijdenes recently completed a complex project spanning two of his drafting and machine shop classes.

An "Orrey" is a mechanical model of the solar system. Daniel's model is a gear system that represents the relationship of the sun to the earth and moon. Its precision gears are connected to a small motor at its base that spins the planetary orb and its moon around the sun.

The idea to create the Orrey came to Daniel after he had taken an EAC astronomy course with instructor David Morris. "I knew it was going to be a challenge because Orreys are very rare," explained Daniel, "but frankly, I like a challenge. It definitely proved to be difficult, but I learned so much from it."

Newell Dryden and Dee Lauritzen, instructors in EAC's Industrial Technical division, helped Daniel through this process.

Every piece of the project was designed and crafted using equipment available at EAC in the drafting and machine shop labs, including the college's new Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) Plasma Cam.

Daniel began the project by researching various design possibilities and ways to build them. He then built a 3-D model in AutoCAD to get a more detailed idea of how the design would work, its size and possible problems.

After the 3-D model was created, he worked out the details on the individual parts, their ratios, sizes, design and functions. He spent a considerable amount of time working on the ratios and the scale of the Orrey.

After drafting, the project was sent to Master Cam (a machine drafting program for performing tool paths) to create the individual pieces. The monogramming on the upper brass plate was also drafted in Master Cam and completed on the Plasma Cam.

The result is a magnificent mechanical device that closely replicates the relationship between the earth, moon and sun on a smaller scale.

Because of its size and weight, Daniel will probably bequeath the Orrey to the college to be placed on display.

Daniel received a total of eight college credits for the project--four to draft and design it and four for its construction.

Daniel graduated from EAC this month with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Machine Shop Technology.

Originally from Holland, Daniel spent six years prior to coming to EAC in St. David, where he graduated from the Christian Liberty Academy. His immediate plans include heading to Prescott to pursue gunsmithing and then on to ASU where he will work on a bachelor's degree in manufacturing technology.