Fig 1 Fig 2
Connectors
I started off by maybe looking at designing it without the connectors. Then we were placed into lock down and we no longer had access to the workshops at University, so we had to create a workbench at home. (Fig 1)
So we got a free door and a few lengths of 2 by 4s for the legs. (Fig 2) It took us quite a long time to assemble because we kept on having to line up the pieces of wood and screws.
This then pushed me towards the idea of the connectors for the pottery wheel because people would have the same problem as us when assembling the wheel if some sort of connector wasn’t used.
Fig 3 Fig 4 Fig 5 Fig 6
They started off for rectangular pieces of wood but that meant they were hard to make even and create a perfect square. Also if the same piece was used all the legs were pointing in different directions, and would mean a different piece for each corner. (Fig 6)
Fig 7 Fig 8
So I moved to square wood which eliminated the problems caused by rectangular wood. A well base being added which improves the structural integrity of the piece as well as making it super easy to line up.
(Fig 8)
Fig 9
The corner joints started off looking like this but it would have created a weak point in the connection between them.
Fig 10
So it was moved to be more in line with the bulk of the piece as well as a triangle being added to save on material while 3D printing. (Fig 10) Also all the edges have been filleted because force is dissipated more through a rounded edge, allowing more force to be applied before breaking.
