Archive of material relating to the design of the hacklab [[waterfall]]

====== Design challenges ======

==== challenge: Lasercutter ====

Grave produced a The [[http://rebus.hydrus.uberspace.de/edinburghhacklab/General%20Holder%201%20-%205mm%20acrylic.DXF |linked file]]. It contains a pattern that needs to nest on an acrylic sheet 300mm x 620mm.
Find a way to setup the pieces that a maximum number, can be fitted on to sheet. We need to cut on our laser cutter 250 pieces of it. 
For production we just have four full sheet and two smaller sheet in stock.
Smaller sheet: at least 300mm x 500 mm (Plus 80mm x 120mm)

problem: inkscape v0.48 displays each piece as 210.140mm x 157.726mm : 
confirmed: Max length - 61.5mm, Max width 46.15mm

The file saved on jane's kay folder has duplicated elements stacked over each other in it. 
[[http://rebus.hydrus.uberspace.de/edinburghhacklab/close-pattern-test-1generalHolder%205mm%20acrylic.dxf |This .dxf file should be have no overlapping layer on it and can be used by the laser cutter software.]]

[[ http://rebus.hydrus.uberspace.de/edinburghhacklab/close-pattern-test-1generalHolder%205mm%20acrylic.svg |Here is the Inkscape file for trouble shooting.]]

==== challenge: Trough Construction ====

A trough needs to be built to sit below the waterfall, collect the water, and funnel it away to the tank that the pump is sitting in. It needs to be ~2.2m long (the length of the waterfall + 0.2m splash zone), ~0.4m wide, and ~100mm deep. The bottom of the trough needs to be raised ~0.5m off the ground (or at least, to a level safely above the required submerged depth of the pump).

To cover the trough need material that is waterproof and more robust then black bin liner. 

Grace suggested:
Garden pond material.

Tim suggested:
http://groceries.asda.com/asda-webstore/landing/home.shtml#/product/910000842512

http://groceries.asda.com/asda-webstore/landing/home.shtml#/product/18810123 

==== challenge: Frame Construction ====

A frame needs to be built to hold the waterfall. Currently the idea is to make the 4 black shelving stands (currently in the storeroom) into two A-frames. Each A-frame would be made by tilting 2 stands towards each other and bracing horizontally. These then have to be joined together at a fixed distance of > 2.1m (the length of the waterfall itself). 




{{:waterfall_sketch.png?200|}}