Machine for carving files

"Way in which files can carve themselves"

This is one of the first machine tools designed by Leonardo when he was still in Florence. It is built to be completely automatic. Thanks to a gear system, the gradual fall of a weight causes the movement of a cutting hammer which carves the file. At the same time a worm screw moves the file. An external wheel recharges the drum around which is rolled the rope supporting the weight. Codex Atlanticus, sheet 24r 1480