Symmetrical

Description

Symmetrical is a term used to describe something that is made up of exactly similar parts facing each other or around an axis; showing symmetry. Regular, uniform, consistent, aligned, equal are just a few words to define the relationship of something that is symmetrical. Symmetrical is my third design for the Automata Project. When I was designing Symmetrical, I wanted to display bevel gears with 1:1 ratio. The relationship between two bevel gears will always be 90⁰. I try to avoid right angles in my projects however I knew I could create a radius in the corner of the right angle to “lose the right angle”. I constructed a right angle on wood and quickly developed this sort of “vertical tree look” for the project. I saw an opportunity to mirror the project on both sides and create an opportunity for symmetry in the project. I played with the design of the legs for some time, curving them up and down trying to figure out how I wanted the project to flow into the ground.

Symmetrical is a display of two bevel gears with 10 teeth, a 1:1 ratio. The gear movement is displayed on a vertical base. It also displays two handles that are fashioned after “star” knobs such as you would find on your Powermatic planer. The center of interest is the two bevel gears on the top of the prototype. I added a hole to create a mechanical look and pull your eyes down slightly from the top.