Cardboard Aperture: v2

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!

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.

Comments

[andiukas223]

yeah mine kingda failed but looks cool o_O by the way its youre first design anyway thanks :)

[Sidneys1]

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]

Y'did a really good job

[rawromg]

When I assemble it, the pegs just slip out of the groves inwards

[Madmartigan95]

The same thing happened to me. I have no idea how to fix it... yet.

[Sidneys1]

Then the arms must be too short.. Are you sure they're 100 degrees long?

[rawromg]

I'm not sure, I printed out the PDF and cut it out on the same material you used.

[monkeys98]

im going to make one out of wood then metal

[deyb1]

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_]

Ahh portal = best game evar

[CobaltBlue]

Thank you, deyb1, for providing the link explaining Dumchicken's somewhat obscure but brilliant reference.

[Vick Jr]

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]

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]

now theres no sence crying over every mistake we just keep on trying till we run out of cake

[Mugabuga]

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]

we do what we must because we can
for the good of all of us
except the ones who are dead

[Handiest1]

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]

its nice and cool.thanx 4 da idea

[twonkie12]

could you make them small and attach them together to make some really weird glasses

[Sidneys1]

Not quite sure what you mean.. Could you explain a little more?

Thanks, and have a nice day,
~Sidneys1

[9mvp9]

He means to make 2 of them and turn them into apeture glasses.

[Sidneys1]

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]

Metal aperture would be cool.

[Anonyomus Duck Ninja]

Sweet! Making one now, will post when finished.

[Dumchicken]

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]

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]

How do you make the arms? Can you post a plan for that? Or is there really no preference?

[Sidneys1]

In my design plans there is a scale representation of the arms.

Have a nice day,
~Sidneys1

[D00M99]

On the plans I never saw a scale for the arms; I only saw it for the rotating ring and nothing else.

[Sidneys1]

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]

I think it's really just a section of a circle spanning 3 holes, slightly thinner than the holding ring itself

[Sidneys1]

More precisely, it spans about 100 degrees of the circle.

Have a nice day,
~Sidneys1

[heathbar64]

So how did you come up with 100 degrees? Just want to know the nitty gritty of how it was actually designed.

[heathbar64]

And what are the notches for on the outer part of the adjusting ring?

[Sidneys1]

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]

It's really awesome looking and stuff, but what is it actually used for? Or more specifically, what CAN it be used for?

[Sidneys1]

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]

I downscaled it and made it into a monocle. :)

[Syncopator]

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]

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

[Ratz]

If you are looking this up in a mechanical design book, you will find it under "Iris" -- you unfortunately don't see them often in design books though. :(

[bowmaster]

Sweet, I'm one step closer to having aperture doors in my house.

[Sidneys1]

Nice :D I personally wanted to create a custom window shade with it. The device is, after all, designed with the purpose of limiting light passage.

Have a nice day,
~Sidneys1

[bowmaster]

A window shade would be pretty cool too.

[featheredfrog]

Wunnaful wunnaful!

I'll bet that Chicago Screws would function well as the pivots...

[Sidneys1]

I've never heard of "Chicago Screws".. Would you mind posting a link or picture?

Thanks :)

Have a nice day,
~Sidneys1

[featheredfrog]

Won't let me post a picture. http://media.midwayusa.com/productimages/medium/112/112545.jpg

They're cheap, and behave like rivets, except you can undo them.

[Madrigorne]

Can you please save your plans as a PDF?

You can get very thin aluminum by cutting the ends off a pop can - and you can cut it with scissors - but BEWARE -- the aluminum is SHARP and you will probably need to leave an allowance at the edges to round them over or bend them over to keep your fingers intact.
You may also have to heat it with a torch or throw it into a campfire for awhile to make it soft enough to work with - though you may want it stiffer

[Sidneys1]

Thanks for the feedback! I've added a downloadable PDF to step one.. Enjoy!

As for a pop can, no one in my household drinks the stuff, so I don't have any. Feel free to try it yourself though!

Have a nice day,
~Sidneys1

[carlpogi_11]

can we paint it or not???

[Sidneys1]

Sure! Just make sure that the paint won't make unnecessary friction. Post a picture when you're done! :)

Have a nice day,
~Sidneys1

[astrong0]

Ok I made my own one but I've got a question, does yours lay flat when it's totally "closed"? Or is it thicker than when it's open?

[Sidneys1]

No, it does not. When fully closed it's almost an inch thick. I was hoping to shoot a small video that would show this, but I haven't had time yet.

Have a nice day,
~Sidneys1

[redrooster424]

Loving the GlaDos Portal referrences LOL, great project BTW. don't be discouraged if someone has an Ill opinion, innovation is what creates brilliance! keep up the great work!

[Sidneys1]

Thanks, and I'm loving the Portal references as well.. Great game :D

Have a nice day,
~Sidneys1

[D00M99]

I was looking at the site that Gogglerman posted for his apeture and I found this:

http://brassgoggles.co.uk/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=36041cd575cee7c4915924f1fe185ef1&topic=15364.0

I thought that design was really nice, so I was wondering if you could make it out of cardboard? Just a thought.

[Sidneys1]

That is really cool! I'll take a go at it. Subscribe so you don't miss it when I post it!

Have a nice day,
~Sidneys1

[destri]

I think you are missing the image of the diagonally slotted disk that closes the iris pieces all together. I saw it on your last version.

[Sidneys1]

Actually, that part is no longer needed. It has been replaced by the disk with notches in it.

Have a nice day,
~Sidneys1

[redrooster424]

@cowscankill, that's a super name LOL, love it!

[andiukas223]

thanks i used something like foam cardboard its like plywood but bends easier

[plasticpopcorn4]

how did you figure out the size/ shape of the individual pieces?

[Sidneys1]

For the hinging ring I just used a compass to draw the ring. Then I used a protractor (you can use this widget to calculate the angles) and a mechanical pencil to add the hinge holes.

The arms were a little more difficult. For this I used the compass to create an entire ring with an inner diameter the same as the hinging ring, and an outer diameter just over half the width of the hinging ring. I then cut if out of paper and placed it over my hinging ring designs. I then swung it back and forth like it would in the final design, and marked off the point along its arc where I could put the pin so that the adjustor ring could push/pull it. Since this is a relation between arm length and ring diameter, the length (about 100 degrees) should be the same, no matter what size or how many arms your design has.

After that the adjustor ring was easy. I drew it up identically to the hinging ring, but instead of holes for every arm, I added notches for the pins to travel in.

Once you've built one, it's a lot easier to see what I'm talking about. There's a distinct relationship between the dimensions.

Have a nice day,
~Sidneys1

[plasticpopcorn4]

cool thanks :D

[hellasman]

Brilliant Idea.Bravo.

[Sidneys1]

Thank you!

Have a nice day,
~Sidneys1

[booger357]

Very Cool project. I do have one question what are the notches on the outside of the adjuster ring for?

[Sidneys1]

That is because I resued the adjustor ring from my original aperture, which had the adjusting pins on the outside. They don't need to be on the new design, but I find they add something to grip on to when turning the adjustor ring.

Have a nice day,
~Sidneys1

[cowscankill]

That's cool!
But let's say I use some 1mm aluminum to make this, will the pieces be able to overlap and still move? or will it get too tight?

[Sidneys1]

It will probably work, but I haven't tried it with anything other than cardboard. (both for reasons of price and availability of tools) I'd imagine it would work if you use a very thin metal in conjunction with somewhat loose hinges.

Have a nice day,
~Sidneys1
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