EME 50 | UC Davis

Gyroscope & Totem Machining

Technical drawing of a gyroscope assembly with labeled parts and specifications listed in a table
Technical drawing of a gyroscope frame, showing dimensions, hole sizes, and instructions for sandblasting and edge breaking, with notes on material and tolerances.

One of the coolest projects? Building a gyroscope from scratch.

After learning about chip loads, material removal rates, and machining techniques, you take those skills to the shop and bring a working gyroscope to life.

And it’s not just about making one, it’s about making the best one. At the end of the quarter, the Gyro Spin-Off determines whose gyro spins the longest, with the winner scoring a custom plasma-cut stand.

Technical engineering drawing of a cylindrical aluminum part with detailed measurements, views, and specifications, including top, side, and isometric perspectives from the University of California, Davis.

Each student designed the north or south end of a totem in SolidWorks, ensuring that both halves fit together seamlessly. At the end of the quarter, every piece was stacked to create a towering testament to design, machining, and teamwork.

Bringing the designs to life required manual machining on the lathe, mill, and drill press, along with high-precision CNC milling on a DMU 50. The result? A hands-on lesson in manufacturing that was as fun as it was technical, because nothing says engineering success like a perfectly machined totem pole.