It is a simple mechanism that can be used to draw, cut or machine elliptical shapes. This is also a very effective tool to help maths students learn about ellipse and its properties. It can help them understand tough concepts like eccentricity, parametric representation and locus of an ellipse in a very easy way.

I tried to make a 3D print model of Archimedes Trammel and am providing the .stl files and cad files. I used OpenScad software to make the model. The material used is PLA and the model was printed using a nozzle of 0.25 mm.

There are 4 main parts:

1) One base

2) Two sliders

3) One connecting rod

4) Two stoppers

The base has two perpendicular tracks/rails. The sliders are confined/trammelled in each of the tracks in such a way that they can just translate about their respective tracks. The rod is connected to both the sliders at two different points and then fixed with the stoppers at the top.