Butterfly - Mechanical 3D Puzzle

Did you know that there are 32 native species of butterflies in Ireland? Some are quite regional: for instance, the Brown Hairstreak (thecla betula) can only be found in south Galway and north Clare where it lays eggs onto blackthorn. 

The rarest butterfly in Ireland is the Pearl Bordered Fritillary (boloria euphrosyne) present only in the Burren, Co. Clare.

Inspired by combination of nature and mechanics Ugears keeps exploring the wonderful world of automatons. Please meet the latest addition to the family, the Butterfly model.

The Butterfly is not a static still model. It is an animated kinetic sculpture. Each of its details is designed to make sure it fits its particular place and plays its particular part in the functioning of this stunning mechanism. Equipped with a rubber-band motor, the mechanical automaton moves imitating the flutter of a butterfly. It requires no external power source or batteries.

Like every other Ugears model, the Butterfly requires no glue or additional tools during the assembly. You will build the new model out of pre-made details that come pre-cut in high quality natural plywood boards. Slightly pushed, the details easily pop out of the board.

The assembly is constructed by blocks: initially, the details must be put together to form smaller blocks that in their turn will compose the whole model. The process of assembly is described in a comprehensive step-by-step instruction manual with detailed color illustrations, in 11 languages (English, German, French, Polish, Spanish, Ukrainian, Russian, Japanese, Italian, Chinese, and Korean). The size of the assembled model is 290 х 550 х 400 mm. The set includes 161 details.

The delicate wings of The Butterfly are made of craft paper. The lower wings change their tilt angle when the model is working to ensure that the movements of the automaton resemble those of a real butterfly. Two front pairs of its legs move while the wings flutter. The back pair of legs is used as launch/stop levers of the rubber-band motor. Your Butterfly comes with two sets of wings: a colour one and a less bright, beige one, that you can paint as you like.

The Butterfly rests on a flower-shaped platform. The elastic support slightly bounces the model, making its movements more realistic, so that The Butterfly dances and flutters in the air, as it is approaching the flower.

Ugears strives to share its knowledge and passion for smart mechanisms with children and adults, kids and parents. We want the complex and beautiful world of mechanics to become closer and more comprehensive. This is why the body of The Butterfly is designed in a skeleton-style, which allows you to see the working of gears and blocks inside and understand how the mechanism functions.

This mesmerizing beautiful model is fun to assemble, study and play with. It can be a wonderful present to a friend, colleague or family member. The delicate iconic design from Ugears guarantees that your new model will look gorgeous in any home or office.