St Louis Arch Wedge Assembly for Smooth, Accurate Scale Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kits fail to accurately and precisely divide the St Louis Arch into sections for assembly, lacking smooth edges and surfaces, thus failing to replicate the arch's engineering design.
Innovation Solution
A kit of equilateral triangular wedges that assemble into an accurate standing model of the St Louis Arch, utilizing precise mathematical calculations to ensure smooth edges and surfaces, and a 3-D printing process to create individual segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the arch is divided into sections for assembly, then the model becomes buildable and educational, but the edges and surfaces become discontinuous and rough
Solution Approach 1:
The arch is divided into multiple wedge-shaped sections that can be assembled separately. Each wedge represents a discrete segment of the overall arch structure, allowing the model to be built piece by piece while maintaining the mathematical accuracy of the original design.
Solution Approach 2:
Each wedge section is designed with specific local geometric properties that match the corresponding portion of the arch. The wedges have varying angles, heights, and widths tailored to their specific positions in the assembly, ensuring that when combined, they recreate the smooth continuous surface of the original arch.
2Manufacturing precision
If the arch is divided into sections of varying angles, height and width, then the model accurately represents the original design, but the assembly becomes complex and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The complex arch structure is broken down into standardized wedge sections that can be manufactured separately and assembled in a systematic sequence. Each wedge is numbered and labeled to guide the assembly process, reducing the cognitive load on the builder.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedges are designed with asymmetric geometries that reflect the varying curvature of the arch. Each wedge has unique dimensions tailored to its specific position, allowing accurate representation of the original design while the systematic numbering system simplifies the assembly process.
3Manufacturing precision
If the arch is divided into many small sections, then the edges and surfaces become smoother, but the number of parts increases and assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arch is segmented into a specific number of wedges that balances surface smoothness with assembly efficiency. The segmentation is optimized so that enough sections are created to achieve the desired visual smoothness, while the number remains limited enough to make assembly practical for a model kit.
Solution Approach 2:
All wedges are pre-numbered and pre-labeled with assembly instructions during manufacturing. This preliminary organization allows the builder to assemble the sections in the correct sequence without needing to perform complex calculations or measurements during the assembly process, significantly reducing assembly time.
Data Source
AI summary
The St Louis Arch Scale Model Kit provides the builder with an experience of solving the engineering problems faced by Eero Saarinen and his engineering team in the form of a Scale Model Kit of the St Louis Arch