Engineering

All of the four major elements in this piece were designed using Dassault´s CATIA V5 software. Structural and kinematic analyses were also performed on the critical load-bearing and moving elements with this CAD package.

Criteria

Descriptions of the more prominent design criteria incorporated into the sculpture are presented below.

Mass & Inertia

The combined mass (weight) of the spinning elements will be approximately xxxxx kg (yyyyy lbs). This may seem to be too much for a single person to set into motion, but the system of rollers and bearings will allow an average user with modest physical strength to overcome the inertia.

Materials

The materials of each of the four primary elements will be chosen on a basis of durability and how well they can withstand the elements of a sea-side harbor environment. Surface treatments will add to the durability of each piece. Special conditions endemic to the Göteborg area will be taken into condsideration, namely: frequent and strong gusting winds, large amounts of rainfall, and seasonal temperature fluctuations (-20 to 30 °C).

Drainage

Rain and melt water will be able to flow through and around the sculpture from top to bottom without collecting in critical areas. This is done to minimize the rusting of metal parts, especially those within the rollers and bearings.

Issues

There are a few engineering problems that I still need to solve. These open issues are presented below to allow you to provide input, ideas, or inspiration. Click on the "Contact" link and send me an e-mail if you have any ideas for solutions to these issues.

Manufacturing Issues

There are a lot of manufacturing issues involved with this project. I do not have much experience in manufacturing large parts such as those found in this sculpture, so feedback from anyone out there with this type of knowledge would be most appreciated.

Islam

(1) What is the best way to create a large wooden structure? Create a mold and then block out with laminate layers and then finish to desired shape?

Christianity

(1) This element will probably need to be cast to a mold in pieces and then welded(?) together.

(2) Would it be better to create a plastic core and sheet over it with aluminum?

Foundation

(1) The metal support structure in the middle of the granite pillar may not be necessary. Would solid granite be able to handle the radial loads?

Mechanism

(1) How many of these parts could be off the shelf? The gears and chain along with the metal tubing, perhaps.

Materials Issues

Presented below are a few of the more important issues dealing with material selections.

Islam

(1) Is oak a cood choice for the wood? Cost? Weight? Availability?

Christianity

(1) Where does one go to get Aluminum from recycled sources?

Foundation

(1) If the metal support structure in the middle of the granite pillar is necessary, is it possible to drill a hole up into the entire length of the granite?

Mechanism

(1) The +/- Bar plastic needs to be hardened plastic, what type is best?

(2) Can the +/- Bar sleeve be formed from sheet metal? Or, is it best to make it in plastic?

Mechanics Issues

Presented below are the issues dealing with the mechanics of the sculpture.

Mechanism

How many of these parts could be off the shelf? The gears and chain along with the metal tubing, perhaps?

Drawings

Click on the links below to download the package of drawings (zip files with size in KB) for each of the elements.

Overall (isometric view only)

CATDrawings (785 KB)  |  PDF Files (285 KB)

Foundation (isometric, front, & top views)

CATDrawings (275 KB)  |  PDF Files (204 KB)

Christianity (iso, front, top, & back views)

CATDrawings (586 KB)  |   PDF Files (477 KB)

Islam (isometric, front, top, & right views)

CATDrawings (1,678 KB)  |  PDF Files (371 KB)

Mechanism (iso, front, top, & side views)

CATDrawings (1,307 KB)  |  PDF Files (749 KB)