Tensile Tetras

thingiverse

Light-weight hanging sculptures based on tetrahedrons and utilizing Lycra/Spandex fabric for "sails" take shape quickly due to reliable printing of the tetrahedron hubs. The uploaded STL file is specifically sized for 1/4 inch diameter dowels with a 1/8 inch diameter center hole, making it easy to adjust these dimensions within the SketchUp file. To secure the dowels in place, I use hot glue. The center poles are precision-cut at 3/16 inch in diameter. When selecting lines, I choose #4 waxed whipping twine from Marlow due to its exceptional grip on Lycra fabric. In contrast, other sizes and brands of twine have failed to perform as expected. To achieve the desired aesthetic, I cut the Lycra triangles significantly smaller than the faces of the tetrahedron, roughly to three-quarters their size. The end result is a stunning display of slowly spinning tetras suspended in mid-air, beautifully captured by the wind.