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This is my entry into the Chopstick Challenge.
Give credit where credit is due:
When I first started thinking about this challenge my first idea was to construct a tensegrity tower using chopsticks. I did a quick google search and wouldn't you know....there was a instructable which did it better than anything I could do..
http://www.instructables.com/id/Desktop-Tensegrity-Tower/
As an architect I've always been fascinated with tensegrity. Tensegrity is a way of constructing using rods & wires. Structurally it's brilliant. the components are in pure tension and pure compression.
so for my entry what I thought I'd do is to create a construction set to teach my kids about tensegrity. by creating a kit of parts, kids can create an infinite variety of structures. the set can also be expanded with additional pieces and pieces of a variety of lengths. just because of the time constraints I'm gonna stick with a single length rod and build a simple structure.
CHEATER CHEATER PUMPKIN EATER......
I only had a couple hours to throw this together, and unfortunately I couldn't find chopsticks so I'm using 3/16" dowels. I think these have the same properties as chopsticks so I hope you'll forgive my substitution. I promise that when time allows I'll update the ibby with chopsticks.
SUPPLIES:
Chopsticks - the more the merrier. a minumum of a dozen.
wooden beads
rubber bands
electrical tape
TOOLS NEEDED:
utility knife
hand saw
cutting mat
spray paint (if desired)
drill (if you need to drill out beads)
If you wanna see some models that are truelly amazing and much better than this check out:
http://you-can-touch-this.blogspot.com
Give credit where credit is due:
When I first started thinking about this challenge my first idea was to construct a tensegrity tower using chopsticks. I did a quick google search and wouldn't you know....there was a instructable which did it better than anything I could do..
http://www.instructables.com/id/Desktop-Tensegrity-Tower/
As an architect I've always been fascinated with tensegrity. Tensegrity is a way of constructing using rods & wires. Structurally it's brilliant. the components are in pure tension and pure compression.
so for my entry what I thought I'd do is to create a construction set to teach my kids about tensegrity. by creating a kit of parts, kids can create an infinite variety of structures. the set can also be expanded with additional pieces and pieces of a variety of lengths. just because of the time constraints I'm gonna stick with a single length rod and build a simple structure.
CHEATER CHEATER PUMPKIN EATER......
I only had a couple hours to throw this together, and unfortunately I couldn't find chopsticks so I'm using 3/16" dowels. I think these have the same properties as chopsticks so I hope you'll forgive my substitution. I promise that when time allows I'll update the ibby with chopsticks.
SUPPLIES:
Chopsticks - the more the merrier. a minumum of a dozen.
wooden beads
rubber bands
electrical tape
TOOLS NEEDED:
utility knife
hand saw
cutting mat
spray paint (if desired)
drill (if you need to drill out beads)
If you wanna see some models that are truelly amazing and much better than this check out:
http://you-can-touch-this.blogspot.com
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Signing UpStep 1Cut chopsticks down to 6" lengths
the first step is to trim down your chop sticks. I do not have very big rubber bands so I'm going to keep the sticks 6" long.
After I had all my sticks cut down the next thing I did was to throw on some quick color. I was really pressed for time so I just laid the sticks on paint table and hit with paint. after waiting 15 minutes I rolled the sicks over and hit the other side.
After I had all my sticks cut down the next thing I did was to throw on some quick color. I was really pressed for time so I just laid the sticks on paint table and hit with paint. after waiting 15 minutes I rolled the sicks over and hit the other side.
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Rubber band is fine for prototyping, but won't last very long. In a couple of weeks your tensegrity icosahedron will start disintegrating, which is quite a shame if you went through the effort of painting your struts. If you get yourself some elastic jewellery cord (minimum 0.5mm diameter, up to 1mm diameter works fine), you have the same behaviour for much longer. Just cut the cord into pieces of 13-14'', tie them into a loop, your model will last for years.
I'm gonna have to look into jewelry cord. I think that will work mcuh better than the rubber bands
thank you for the suggestion.
maybe you can help me. In my instructable i show a simple 6 rod model. I've been trying to remember how to create a 12 rod model but i can't get it. I was going to add that to my instructable but it's kind of hard since I can't figure it out myself.
any thoughts?
here's what I'm trying to do:
The basic build method incorporates having a groove to slot the elastic in (not a loop this time, just an elastic connected to both ends of a strut). The beauty of this method is to use identical elements along the way, and building symmetrical structures with at least 12 struts is much easier than a minimal tensegrity (3 struts, 9 tendons) or a 6 strut tensegrity like you did here.
I got my elastic cord via ebay, there;s plenty of suppliers that sell smaller amounts (5m to 10 m), and even 500m spools. The tensegrity towers need some bit of fiddling, the more struts comprise a single shape, the easier the build will get.
I haven't gone through all the all how-to for bigger structures, but if you want to have a toolkit (or rebuild your own), check out http://youcantouchthis.bigcartel.com/ , I got a toolkit that can build all platonic solids and more available (just without decent instructions yet).
Tensegrity rocks, and can inspire a lot of architectural challenges. Thanks for sharing, enjoy exploring more of it.
I'm gonna try to build this later tonight and hopefully add it to this.
I've added a link to your site in my instructable. i'm just the beginner trying to play Mary Had A Little Lamb where your stuff is like Beathoven. gotta give credit to the masters.
I'll look into your kits. Years ago I had a kit called "tensegritoy" and that was the idea behind my instructable. i used to be able to build all kinds of stuff but can't remember anything now. i thought it would be like riding a bike and it would all come back to me but i don't seem to be as bright as i used to be......
:)
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At first I thought you'd done this by sticking chopsticks in olives, which would have been most excellent. ;)
:)
I'm gonna stop by a couple Chinese restaurants on my way home tonight and get a hold of some actuall chopsticks. hopefully I can update this by the 7th.