Archives: Opera
Un’opera al museo
Four-spindle continuous spinning machine
Made by
Università di Firenze, Facoltà di Ingegneria, Dipartimento di Meccanica e Tecnologie industriali
2004
Among the solutions for mechanizing the spinning process, Leonardo conceived a multiple-spindle spinning machine, capable of twisting the thread and at the same time wrapping it on the bobbin, a system that anticipated the one introduced in England during the Industrial Revolution.
The machine is equipped with a series of mechanisms that transform circular motion into rectilinear alternating motion. The flyer-driven spindle performs a back-and-forth movement that ensures an automatic and uniform distribution of the spun thread on the bobbin, and a rotary motion that ensures that the thread is twisted.
The innovation can be seen in the back-and-forth movement of the spindle, which avoids interruption of the work due to manual passage of the thread from one hook of the flyer to another, allowing the spinners to have both hands free to perform other operations.
Technical informations
Type of exhibit
Model
Collection
Material
Wood, iron, and leather
Measures
Width: 102.5 cm, Length: 213 cm; Depth: 100 cm.
Storage location
Relationship with the original work
Source: Leonardo da Vinci, Codex Atlanticus, f. 1050 r
Location
Museo Leonardiano, Palazzina Uzielli, first floor
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Last update: 19 June 2025, 14:08
