Cardboard Aperture: v2

 by Sidneys1
Featured
After a little more research, I have managed to improve my Cardboard Aperture greatly!

This Instructable is based off of a project of mine to design a working aperture out of around-the-house materials. I had just seen an awesome set of Steampunk goggles by Gogglerman that had a very nice brass aperture in one eye. I set about trying to figure out how it had been made, and my resulting project went through two design iterations before I had anything working. I then posted that as my first Instructable.

So, instead of just editing my first Instructable, there's enough different to create a new one, which I have done. This time I'll be posting some instructions sheet downloads (in *.psd and *.pdn format for compatibility with your checkbook) and more pictures. Perhaps even a video!
 
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Step 1: Designing your Parts

While not really the hardest part of this build, designing the parts is a crucial one. I've attached some files that should really help you out. I mainly used a compass and a protractor to design the parts.

The first part is the holding and hinging ring. Since my aperture was designed for six 'arms' I set the hinge holes 60 degrees apart. If you want more arms then you'll need to reposition the hinge holes. Use this widget to calculate this angle if you are lazy like I am don't want to do the math yourself ;)

The next part (looking like a rib) is one of the actual arms that swings in and closes the aperture. Each one should encompass about 100 degrees. You'll see how the hinging and swinging pegs are attached later.

The last part here, the one shaped like the hinging ring but with notches instead of holes, is the adjuster ring. The notches will 'grab' the pins on the upper face of the arms, pulling or pushing them around the ring.

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andiukas223 says: Feb 4, 2011. 2:48 AM
yeah mine kingda failed but looks cool o_O by the way its youre first design anyway thanks :)
IMAG0034.jpg
Sidneys1 (author) in reply to andiukas223Feb 4, 2011. 7:13 AM
Not bad, actually! What material did you use? Try out my new design, it will work much better :) Also, you have to make sure that each 'arm' overlaps the next arm. So that bottom-right arm in your picture should be over the bottom arm.
Like I've said, though, my old design doesn't work very well. I'd love to see my new design in this material though!

Have a nice day,
~Sidneys1
vanadium chrome says: Aug 22, 2011. 5:52 AM
Y'did a really good job
rawromg says: Feb 15, 2011. 12:28 PM
When I assemble it, the pegs just slip out of the groves inwards
Madmartigan95 in reply to rawromgAug 14, 2011. 6:25 PM
The same thing happened to me. I have no idea how to fix it... yet.
Sidneys1 (author) in reply to rawromgFeb 15, 2011. 1:06 PM
Then the arms must be too short.. Are you sure they're 100 degrees long?
rawromg in reply to Sidneys1Feb 15, 2011. 2:46 PM
I'm not sure, I printed out the PDF and cut it out on the same material you used.
monkeys98 says: Jul 26, 2011. 2:03 AM
im going to make one out of wood then metal
deyb1 says: Feb 4, 2011. 12:58 PM
Sorry, I just can't help myself...
I'm not even angry.
I'm being so sincere right now.
Even though you broke my heart.
And killed me.
And tore me to pieces.
And threw every piece into a fire.
As they burned it hurt because I was so happy for you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6ljFaKRTrI
_Scratch_ in reply to deyb1Jun 14, 2011. 7:09 PM
Ahh portal = best game evar
CobaltBlue in reply to deyb1Mar 31, 2011. 5:08 AM
Thank you, deyb1, for providing the link explaining Dumchicken's somewhat obscure but brilliant reference.
Vick Jr in reply to deyb1Feb 13, 2011. 6:19 AM
I'm trying to use aluminum house-siding for the leafs. The Apature will be used as the housing for the evil robot eye of my evil robot turret. I'll post pics when it's done (could be a while)

...but look at me still talking when there's science to do.
deyb1 in reply to Vick JrFeb 13, 2011. 9:25 AM
That sounds better than a gun for the people who are still alive. And sounds like a good material to use as well, lightweight, yet strong. Good thinking on you!
mr.noris in reply to deyb1Feb 4, 2011. 5:24 PM
now theres no sence crying over every mistake we just keep on trying till we run out of cake
Mugabuga in reply to mr.norisFeb 6, 2011. 8:16 AM
So I'm glad I got burned, think of all the things we learned, for the people who are, still alive.
I saw this and didn't even think of cameras, I thought of Aperture Science.
tomas.savage in reply to MugabugaFeb 6, 2011. 2:35 PM
we do what we must because we can
for the good of all of us
except the ones who are dead
Handiest1 says: Jun 11, 2011. 6:07 PM
I am really happy to see this design. A few years ago I rehabbed a church into a house and it had a big round window that caused all kinds of glare. At that time, I failed at designing an aperture for that, and didn't want to take my camera apart to study. so I gave up. I was going to make it out of plywood, about 7-8' in diameter, and 12' off the floor, and control it with chains or something. Thanks for posting, I think it's a really neat/interesting item.
gadjetralahami says: May 28, 2011. 12:41 AM
its nice and cool.thanx 4 da idea
twonkie12 says: Mar 6, 2011. 2:14 PM
could you make them small and attach them together to make some really weird glasses
Sidneys1 (author) in reply to twonkie12Mar 7, 2011. 8:29 AM
Not quite sure what you mean.. Could you explain a little more?

Thanks, and have a nice day,
~Sidneys1
9mvp9 in reply to Sidneys1May 5, 2011. 7:58 AM
He means to make 2 of them and turn them into apeture glasses.
Sidneys1 (author) in reply to 9mvp9May 5, 2011. 8:49 AM
Ah.. 'Twould be hard, the parts are pretty small as it is. I want to get some brassworking tools though and make a metal set.

Have a nice day,
~Sidneys1
9mvp9 in reply to Sidneys1May 6, 2011. 7:14 AM
Metal aperture would be cool.
Anonyomus Duck Ninja says: Mar 28, 2011. 12:08 AM
Sweet! Making one now, will post when finished.
Dumchicken says: Mar 19, 2011. 6:46 PM
aperture sience doo doo doo doo doo doo ................................................................
....................................................................untill you make a neat gun for the people
who are still alive........................................................................................................
...................still alive still alive still alive still alive(fading sound)
dombeef says: Feb 19, 2011. 6:47 AM
You beat me to making an instructable. Mine was basically the same design but I made it out if foam core and credit cards.
I will make a slideshow about it later on.
Good job though!
D00M99 says: Feb 5, 2011. 4:09 PM
How do you make the arms? Can you post a plan for that? Or is there really no preference?
Sidneys1 (author) in reply to D00M99Feb 7, 2011. 7:05 AM
In my design plans there is a scale representation of the arms.

Have a nice day,
~Sidneys1
D00M99 in reply to Sidneys1Feb 12, 2011. 5:07 PM
On the plans I never saw a scale for the arms; I only saw it for the rotating ring and nothing else.
Sidneys1 (author) in reply to D00M99Feb 13, 2011. 7:35 AM
If you're using the psd or pdn files, the different parts are on seperate layers. If you don't want to mess with that, then download the PDF.
St Jimmy in reply to D00M99Feb 6, 2011. 6:39 PM
I think it's really just a section of a circle spanning 3 holes, slightly thinner than the holding ring itself
Sidneys1 (author) in reply to St JimmyFeb 7, 2011. 7:06 AM
More precisely, it spans about 100 degrees of the circle.

Have a nice day,
~Sidneys1
heathbar64 in reply to Sidneys1Dec 4, 2011. 4:45 PM
So how did you come up with 100 degrees? Just want to know the nitty gritty of how it was actually designed.
heathbar64 in reply to heathbar64Dec 4, 2011. 4:51 PM
And what are the notches for on the outer part of the adjusting ring?
Sidneys1 (author) in reply to heathbar64Dec 4, 2011. 5:48 PM
The notches were just there because I repurposed a part from an prototype that didn't work :)

As for 100 degrees, if I remember correctly it was so that when the arm arced around the center of the ring (closed position) it would reach the other side without being too long. Or it was because it needed to be over 90 degrees without being too long as to be unmanageable, I don't remember exactly lol. should have kept notes..
D00M99 says: Feb 4, 2011. 6:30 PM
It's really awesome looking and stuff, but what is it actually used for? Or more specifically, what CAN it be used for?
Sidneys1 (author) in reply to D00M99Feb 7, 2011. 7:04 AM
Well, in cameras it's used to control the aperture size. It can be used to control the amount of light coming through a window. And it looks cool and is relatively easy to make.

Have a nice day,
~Sidneys1
D00M99 in reply to Sidneys1Feb 12, 2011. 5:08 PM
I downscaled it and made it into a monocle. :)
Syncopator says: Feb 6, 2011. 1:16 PM
A very clever design, congratulations.

I should point out, however, that it isn't an aperture, it's a shutter or diaphragm.

The size of the hole is the aperture.
Sidneys1 (author) in reply to SyncopatorFeb 7, 2011. 1:31 PM
Thanks for the clarification! I'm not going to change it, though, since I think the term "Aperture" more readily describes the device to the passing member.

Plus it sounds cooler :)

Have a nice day,
~Sidneys1
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