Hyperbolic Table
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This project tested my will to persevere like no other. The design plan was simple. My goal was to build a table that was completely symmetrical and could collapse down for storage and transporting. This was much easier said than done. After numerous models and drawings the solution became this "hyperboloid" shape. This shape is the result of a quadratic function and has very unique qualities. The hourglass resembling structure goes from completely flat to completely straight up all without bending the supports that make it. It is aesthetic to look at and had the exact mechanism I was hoping for. Also, the structure is very stable as long as the bottom portion is braced. The problem of keeping it all one piece was where the true challenge arose. The shape rotates and moves in very strange, unpredictable angles and I gave it my all trying to engineer this seemingly simple table. After building many models I couldn't keep putting money into materials to get it to where I wanted it to be. I still believe that I could solve the engineering mechanism to make it all work, but until then here is working model number five.
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Prototype Models
Model #1
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Model #2
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Model #3
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Model #4
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