Tensegrity Table with swappable Top

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Tensegrity Table with swappable Top

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A1 mini
P1S
P1P
X1
X1 Carbon
X1E
A1

0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 10% infill
0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 10% infill
Designer
4.4 h
4 plates
4.7(78)

0.2mm layer, 4 walls, 15% infill PLA with PETG Support trick
0.2mm layer, 4 walls, 15% infill PLA with PETG Support trick
8.2 h
2 plates
5.0(3)

Open in Bambu Studio
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Description

I created this tensegrity table as another engineering challenge for myself. I've always thought these tables were a fun demonstration of outside-the-box thinking. Supporting a weight normally involves a compression-type support, but doing it in tension is a fun idea. 

The table holds a full soda can without stressing. You can adjust the height of the table some, use 3 links in the center for a more stable table, and use 2 links for a taller, but less stable table. One link should also work if you are careful with your outer chain adjustments. 

The top is a floating insert that you can swap out with your own design to add a cool icon or color.

The soda can is included in images for scale, and demonstration of strength.


The chain attaches with eye bolts for easy tension adjustment. 

Assembly instructions:

1: Print all the parts. (Print the plate with the base twice. )
2: Screw the 10 eye bolts into the 2 bases (5 each). The 4 outer bolts only go one way. The center eye bolt should be facing the square of the base. Do not tighten the eyebolts past a light snug.
3: Assemble the chains. The table in the picture has 7 chain links on the outside and 2 chain links in the middle.
4. Attach the chains to the eye bolts.

Adjustment Instructions:
1: If the table tilts to one side or the other, you can tighten the chains on the high side.

1: For tiny adjustments, remove the chain from an eye bolt, rotate the eye bolt some, and re-attach.
2: For moderate adjustments, you can rotate the eye bolt without removing the chain, and the twist in the chain will add tension.
3: For large adjustments, you can disconnect the chain, twist the chain in your hand, and then re-attach in the twisted state.

2: If the table wants to twist, then quarter-turn one of the center eye bolts.


 

Comment & Rating (105)

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0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 10% infill
Nice but the screws broke a couple of times and had to be reprinted
The designer has replied
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Very cool! The chair is an awesome touch!
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I would like to look into the bolt breaking issue. Under what condition did they break? What part of it broke? At the joint between thread an eye? or in the threads?
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Replying to @BigScorch :
In the threads themselves, because it was hard to screw them into the plates. but in the end it looks really nice, good job!
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0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 10% infill
Took some time to get it to stand correctly but it's an awesome brain-teasing shelf piece!
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Awesome!
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I don't recommend using pliers to turn a very tight screw because it gets even worse. The screw is cut in half attempting to tighten them and I felt like I wasted a ton of filament because I can't get the other half out that is inside the table screw. The deeper it gets, the unreachable to remove. Now I'm forced to study this on how to remove it for hours. Maybe it's also important to clean and brush the screws and the table's screw holes first before screwing them to prevent the stringing getting too terrifyingly tight.
(Edited)
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Would be a great idea if I were to shorten the eye bolt's length a bit because I can't finish taking all of them off of the table so the stringing wouldn't get them a chance to get stuck. We don't need the length that only breaks off when shortening it could be the solution. An hour later, a second screw just snapped again just trying to attempt to replace a shorter screw. I was just confused the screw hole at the center of its table they don't seem to share a clockwise rotation on the 4 corners when the center is meant to be rotated counter-clockwise in order to get it off. Now I'm forced to find a way to remove it and my fingers are just bleeding in blood just to get it out.... Too bad the table snapped off in colored light blue what a fail.
(Edited)
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0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 10% infill
good!
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Very impressive.Thanks for the files.
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0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 10% infill
Came out great, and working fine.
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0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 10% infill
Great idea the hooks just broke too often
The designer has replied
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Under what condition were the hooks breaking? Are you referring to the eye bolts or the chain links? If they are breaking as they print, I would suggest drying your filament. (Drying your filiment is always a good check regardless) If they are breaking while you try to screw the bolts into the base, I would check that the threads are clear of any bits of filament or stringing, or you may be trying to put them in too far. As another commenter pointed out I have the bolts longer than the holes in this iteration. If they are breaking as you balance the table, then you are likely trying to make it too tight. It should be stable under its own weight plus a little, but not so tight as to not have any movement at all.
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the screw
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they broke when screwing them in at the base and if they didn’t break, then the top part broke
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0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 10% infill
I think it came out amazing. I had a bit of an issue getting the screws into the small holes provided, but that was more of a me thing. pretty stable, but the more weight, the more likely to fall down. thanks!
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0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 10% infill
incredible design
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Print Profile
0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 10% infill
The print itself works quite well. Unfortunately, the chain links expand over time. Therefore, the entire structure collapses. PLA might not be the appropriate material.
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