Mechanical Engineers build
weapons. Civil Engineers build targets.
We
based our flying crank ghost project on the
misconception that 3/4" PVC pipe possessed the
rigidity necessary to support the crank motor, arm
assembly, and marionette.
September
1, 2002
Using
3/4" PVC piping, we constructed a 4'x4' base and
dual vertical supports. The entire contraption
was about 7' tall, so we took the middle upright
section out to work on the crank motor support and
marionette arms. With the exception of the
support arms, we scrapped the whole design.
"
- it quivered and bobbed more than Anna
Nicole Smith."
Note the
pronounced droop in our uprights. Also note the
attempt to counter said droop.
"Maybe if we lean it back far enough..."
Despite
the overall failure of the PVC design, we were very
happy with the range of motion afforded by the support
arms, and migrated that section to our new design...for
about 15 minutes before we scrapped them too.
Note the
L-bracket supports zip-tied to the uprights.
I think
these are in the laundry room now supporting a shelf.
To the optimist, the glass is half full. To the pessimist, the glass is half- empty.
To the engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
I
don't know what that says about this project,
but there's some correlation there if you dig
for it.
I'm
not giving the camera the "thumb's up"
signal.
Look
closely and you'll see the blood.
I'm a
programmer. My brother works for a bank.
Perhaps this explains the engineering genius behind
our temporary support structure (right).
The
main problem we had with our otherwise brilliantly
conceived plan was that it was utterly doomed.
This pipe size simply cannot support that much
weight. It was never in danger of breaking, but
it quivered and bobbed more than Anna Nicole Smith.
My
brother realized that for the project to succeed we
had to rebuild the scaffold out of something a little
more substantial. It was time for a road trip to
Home Depot to buy some 2x4's.
