Tensegrity Sphere Script

Hi All,

I'm looking for modelling a specific polyhedron volume.

I only have a picture of it.

I made some study of it, and I could identify series of triangles / hexagons & pentagons.

As you can see in the picture below.

Based on that study, I think the original volume is probably composed by 20 equilaterals triangles. Icosahedron - A regular polyhedron with 20 faces.

This volume is probably called as well a Tensegrity Sphere as Buckminster Fuller studied.

I spend days trying to model that volumes and understanding the logic behind it but I'm not finding the solution.

Does someone as developed a script to model a similar volume?

ideally, the alterable parameters are :

- the length of the tube which impact the size of the entire volume.

Any idea / comment / tip are more than welcome.

Many thanks !

Arthur

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by TaffGoch on May 8, 2017 at 9:18pm

Arthur,

The sphere in your top-most photo is not a tensegrity (but, it could be, if constructed with skinny rods as compression elements, and cords/cables as tension elements.)

The depicted sphere is more-commonly called, today, a "nexorade" or "reciprocal frame" structure. This particular nexorade is based on a frequency-4 geodesic subdivision of an icosahedron. The rods ("nexors") touch at the intersections, and can be attached to each other with rubber-bands. (I've used O-rings, for a cleaner appearance.) Here is a 3D depiction of the nexorade:

The construction/modelling technique is accomplished through the rotation of geodesic struts, around their mid-points. A frequency-3 geodesic example is depicted here: Nexorade Concept Illustrated

You should find helpful the following Kangaroo discussion: Reciprocal structures - example definition