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Step 4Deadline approaches: Pragmatism surges.
I had made a sketch model using corrugated cardboard, which is great for prototyping. The model was based on having the second-bottom pivot fixed, supporting the weight of the whole structure on two uprights, and having the lowest half-length members moving in a slot in those uprights, keeping it vertical.
This configuration benefitted from an absence of any kind of gearing or balancing, and because the loads were relatively small, the material didn't need to be particularly strong. I hung a counter-weight from the lowest pivot, equal to the weight of the structure above the main pivot and it balanced and could be moved to any position between it's extremes without having to apply effort, a la Sapper.
The downside to this was that there was now an intrusive upright in the lowest cell of the structure, and I was pretty cross about that, since it mean not only did it look a bit ugly, but it robbed the structure of it's lightness, it's elegance; it no longer seemed to float above it's base. However, deadlines approached, and I didn't shed too many tears. I figured it might get covered with a shade anyway.
My next model was also in corrugated cardboard, and as I made the first parts for it, I decided that this model should be the final article - it should be the product. The recycled ethic was right, the do-it-yourself aspect was there, the materials were natural(ish) and cardboard is very cheap. Suddenly the design was finished, and furthermore, in the early hours of the morning, after a packet of Pro-Plus, rational.
This configuration benefitted from an absence of any kind of gearing or balancing, and because the loads were relatively small, the material didn't need to be particularly strong. I hung a counter-weight from the lowest pivot, equal to the weight of the structure above the main pivot and it balanced and could be moved to any position between it's extremes without having to apply effort, a la Sapper.
The downside to this was that there was now an intrusive upright in the lowest cell of the structure, and I was pretty cross about that, since it mean not only did it look a bit ugly, but it robbed the structure of it's lightness, it's elegance; it no longer seemed to float above it's base. However, deadlines approached, and I didn't shed too many tears. I figured it might get covered with a shade anyway.
My next model was also in corrugated cardboard, and as I made the first parts for it, I decided that this model should be the final article - it should be the product. The recycled ethic was right, the do-it-yourself aspect was there, the materials were natural(ish) and cardboard is very cheap. Suddenly the design was finished, and furthermore, in the early hours of the morning, after a packet of Pro-Plus, rational.
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