Parabolic String Lamp

by audreyobscura

17K42121

Intro: Parabolic String Lamp

This Parabolic String lamp is made out of laser cut wood, yarn, and a pendant light kit.

I was thumbing through some vintage interior design magazines and found all these kind of cool examples of Parabolic String Art.

I examined it closely and figured out how the illusions of curves appeared in the string art. I was curious if the same principle could be applied to a curved dimensional object. I tinkered with a few different designs, and materials - the lamp featured in this Instructable was actually the fifth iteration in my design process.

EDIT: I started selling these lamps in acrcylic as kits you can assemble! Support more great projects from makers like me by supporting projects you love and learning something new!

STEP 1: Laser Cutting

I designed the lamp, and it's feet in Illustrator. It was a little tricky to figure out a design for the notches along the wheel, I tried teeth vs. holes vs. notches vs. kerf cuts.

It turns out I needed a notched hole for the best way to catch the string. I used a laser cutter to make my cuts into 1/4" plywood, but I think I could achieve the same effect with a band saw and a drill press. (And a lot more time, this cut took 5 minutes on the laser)

I have attached my files to this step -let me know if you need a different file format.

STEP 2: Assemble the Lamp.

I used this Pendant Lamp Kit from Ikea. It turns out these aren't sold in California any more, but we had one lying around.

I designed the hole large enough to fit the socket, but small enough to grab the plywood with the coupler in the lamp kit.

STEP 3: Fins and Bulb

I added all of the fins to the lamp, one at a time, making sure to connect it all the way into the notches.

After they were all installed, I screwed in the light bulb. Pretty easy step.

STEP 4: The String

By far the longest part of the process, was weaving the skein of yarn into the lamp.

I was able to start the weaving with just a single knot that wouldn't slip through the notch in the fin.

I used cheap red craft yarn and wove it up and down each fin, slowly working my way around, over and over and over and over again.

I was able to end with a single knot in the notch, and cutting the extra off. I pretty much used the whole skein for this design.

Did I iterate that this took a long time? It did.

STEP 5: Give It Legs

If you want, you can give it legs, they just attach with a tight tolerance in the notch.

STEP 6: It Hangs!

I like it better as a hanging lamp. I think it looks more beautiful suspended from the ceiling - it allows the design to sing a bit more.

I will award a 3 Month Pro membership to the first five people that make this project, let me know using the "I MADE IT" button.


If you're interested in buying a kit to make you're own version out of super fancy looking acrylic - head over to my etsy page :D

20 Comments

laurasomers 3 years ago

Hi! Is it possible to upscale this lamp to a lamp with a diameter of 60 centimeters? Is it possible to use a multiply plate of 4mm?

Kind regards,

Laura

melipstick 8 years ago

How do you change the light bulb if it burns out?

audreyobscura 5 years ago

That's why now I reccommend using an LED light bulb :D otherwise the string will bend and move out of the way, but its just tricky.

mohamed gemy 7 years ago

would you send me the DXF file please?

audreyobscura 5 years ago

I included the PDF which you can import as a DXF in any laser program. Good luck!

dbandodkar 9 years ago

Could you give me the dimensions? I don't have a lazer cutting machine. So I can use the dimensions.

dbandodkar 9 years ago

I re-checked the pdf.. I dint find any dimensions. Pls help!

harjindersr 9 years ago

i will make it as i had two laser cutting machines and i will post my creations

thanks

this is very good site

apburner 9 years ago

Nice work. However I don't have access to a laser cutter. I do however have a scroll saw. But your PDF does not print in a 1 to 1 template. That would be very useful. Thanks

audreyobscura 9 years ago

I have updated the files and added a slightly larger model as well.

Rosanna Mullet 10 years ago

this is absolutely gorgeous!! i totally love it!!

lindarose92 10 years ago

It looks so beautiful, I love it!! :)

rpost 10 years ago

Beautifulll!!!!