Cep heid
a kinetic sculpture
sample
Important information:
McMaster Carr, a supplier whose part numbers are referenced throughout this document, can only ship within the
United States. Builders outside of the U.S. must find an alternate supplier for the required hardware.
Hardware part numbers and availability are subject to change.
Verify that all hardware or equivalents are obtainable prior to purchasing these plans.
design by Derek Hugger
The Basics
Contents
These plans include all the information required to build Cepheid. They provide an outline of the build process, tips for an
accurate and successful build, lists of required tools and off-the-shelf components, a complete parts list, full scale patterns for
all plywood parts, and step-by-step assembly instructions.
Before Building
Read and understand all instructions before building. Failure to do so will lead to increased frustration levels, lengthened build
times, wasted material, and other vexing occurrences.
Build Process
Always wear eye protection and any other necessary personal protective gear. Read, understand, and abide by all
manufacturer instructions and warnings for all tools used.
1. Use a light duty/general purpose spray adhesive to temporarily bond the patterns to plywood. Apply the
adhesive evenly and sparingly.
2. Drill the holes first, and then cut out the parts. Hole alignment between parts is critical to proper function, so
care must be taken to drill the holes accurately. Take time to cut out the parts accurately. An accurately cut part
will require less sanding and less modification later.
3. Remove the patterns from the cut plywood parts, and then sand the parts to remove rough edges and any
residual adhesive.
4. Cut and tap all aluminum tubes, brass tubes, and stainless steel. See Plywood Thickness
Compensation in Tips + Tactics.
5. Following the assembly instructions, build all subassemblies and then the Top Level Assembly.
6. If desired, disassemble Cepheid to finish its components. Note that stain and other finish options can
affect the thickness of parts and may also effect friction levels between moving parts.
Notes
When printing the patterns, always print at 100% scale. Do not use the “scale to fit page” option.
Cepheid contains many moving wood parts as well as wood parts that stack onto one another. As such, using a quality, flat
Baltic birch plywood is very important. Cheaper, lower quality plywood, such as types often found at home improvement
stores like Home Depot, can be warped and knotted.
Changing humidity levels can cause wood parts to swell and move. Some binding or changes in performance may occur with
changes in humidity. As humidity levels return to normal, so too should the system’s performance.
Terms of Use
© 2017 Derek Hugger. All Rights Reserved.
By purchasing these plans, you have agreed to the following terms and conditions:
Reproduction of part or all of this document is prohibited except by the original retail purchaser for his or her own personal use. The
contents of this document and associated documents, including but not limited to instructions, designs, illustrations, diagrams, and
patterns are for personal use, and may not be included in any other work or publication, nor be distributed, nor be used for
commercial purposes except with explicit written consent from the author. Any apparatus or work created using the designs,
patterns, or instructions in this document is for personal use only and may not be used for commercial purposes nor sold for profit.
The contents of this document are presented in good faith but without warranty and without guaranteed results.
© 2017 Derek Hugger
Tools
Power Tools General Drivers
Required
phillips #1
brad point drill index
1/16” to 1/2”
in 1/64” increments
hex 5/64”
drill bit #29*
bandsaw
tap 8-32*
Supplies
scroll saw spade or forstner bit
5/8”
sandpaper
hacksaw
wood glue
spray adhesive
drill press clamps
calipers
belt/disc sander
precision files
Recommended
(but not required)
mini chop saw
vice
drill tube cutter
reamer
0.2530”
metal lathe * For drilling and tapping into
awl stainless steel, cobalt steel
drill bits and taps are required.
** A CNC router is an optional
replacement for the bandsaw
and scroll saw for cutting the
plywood parts.
cnc router** © 2017 Derek Hugger
Tips + Tactics
Pattern Syntax
Patterns are labeled with a part name followed by a thickness dimension.
Example: Drum B is cut from 1/2” plywood. It also has a hole to be drilled thru with a 9/32” bit.
9/32
Drum B 1/2
A symbol indicates drilling to a certain depth, not thru.
Example: The Spinner Cap has two 1/16” holes drilled 3/16” deep. It also has a 1/2” hole drilled 3/16” deep.
As indicated by “(back)”, this pattern shows the back side of the part.
1/2 3/16
Spinner Cap (back) 1/4
2x 1/16 3/16
Two concentric circles indicate a hole with a counterbore. A dashed concentric circle indicates a hole with a counterbore
drilled from the back side of the part.
Example: The Front Pawl has a 1/16 thru hole with a 1/4” counterbore drilled 1/4” deep. It has a 9/32” thru hole with a 7/16” counterbore drilled
1/8” deep. It also has a 1/16” thru hole with a 1/8” counterbore drilled 1/8” deep from the back side. As indicated by “(back)”, this pattern shows
the back side of the part.
Front Pawl (back) 1/2
1/16 1/4 1/4
1/16 1/8 1/8 (back)
9/32 7/16 1/8
Straight Dashed lines indicate a hole drilled from the side, centered on the thickness of the part.
Example: Drum A has a 1/16” hole drilled from the side. It also has two 1/16” thru holes and a 13/32” thru hole with a 1/2” counterbore drilled
3/16” deep. As indicated by “(back)”, this pattern shows the back side of the part.
Drum A (back) 1/2
13/32 1/2 3/16
2x 1/16
1/16
© 2017 Derek Hugger
Tips + Tactics
Plywood Thickness Compensation
The exact thickness of plywood is typically thinner than the plywood's specification. For example, 1/4” plywood may actually
measure 0.23” thick. Because of this, it may be necessary to adjust the lengths of many of Cepheid’s metal parts. It is best
to cut wood parts first, and then cut the metal parts to match.
Wall Mounting
Use the Wall Mount Template as a guide for locating Cepheid’s four mounting points on a wall. The large horizontal and
vertical lines indicate the center of Cepheid. Mount into studs or use appropriate anchors to ensure that Cepheid will not fall
or otherwise separate from the wall.
It is easier to examine and troubleshoot Cepheid’s magnetic ratchet mechanism on a tabletop rather than on a wall. As such,
it is recommended to fully assemble Cepheid and get its mechanisms working properly prior to mounting it to a wall. When
the magnetic ratchet mechanism is working as intended, disassemble Cepheid by following the Top Level Assembly
instructions in reverse, mount the Wall Mount Asm to the desired wall location, and then reassemble Cepheid, following the
Top Level Assembly instructions.
Winding
If the Rear Pawl is not engaged on one of the Ratchet Wheel’s teeth, rotate the Ratchet Wheel clockwise until the pawl clicks
over a tooth.
Then, hold the Rear Spinner stationary and rotate the Front Spinner clockwise. Be sure not to over-wind; stop winding when
the mark on the Spring is visible (see Subassembly Step 7). Release both spinners to set Cepheid into motion.
© 2017 Derek Hugger
Parts + Assemblies List
Type Description Qty Type Description Qty Type Description Qty
Aluminum Tube A Tube 1/4” x 1-1/8” 1 Plywood 1/8” Drum A Rear Flange 1 Subassembly Drum B Asm 1
Aluminum Tube A Tube 1/4” x 1-1/8” NT 1 Plywood 1/8” Drum B Front Flange 1 Subassembly Front Pawl Asm 1
Aluminum Tube A Tube 1/4” x 1-5/8” 1 Plywood 1/8” Drum B Rear Flange 1 Subassembly Front Pawl Support Asm 1
Subassembly Front Spinner Asm 1
Brass Tube B Tube 9/32” x 1/4” 2 Plywood 1/4” Drum A Front Flange 1 Subassembly Ratchet Wheel Asm 1
Brass Tube B Tube 9/32” x 3/8” 3 Plywood 1/4” Front Pawl Support 1 Subassembly Rear Pawl Asm 1
Brass Tube B Tube 9/32” x 5/8” 1 Plywood 1/4” Front Ratchet Wheel 1 Subassembly Rear Pawl Support B Asm 1
Plywood 1/4” Ratchet Wheel Spacer 1 Subassembly Rear Spinner Asm 1
Stainless Steel Tube S Tube 1/4” x 5-1/4” 1 Plywood 1/4” Rear Pawl Support B 1 Subassembly Wall Mount Asm 1
Plywood 1/4” Rear Ratchet Wheel 1
Stainless Steel Rod Rod 1/16” x 5/8” 4 Plywood 1/4” Spinner Cap 1 Top Level Asm Cepheid 1
Hardware 1/8” Magnet 4 Plywood 1/2” Drum A 1
Hardware 1/4” Magnet 2 Plywood 1/2” Drum B 1
Hardware Bearing 6 Plywood 1/2” Front Pawl 1
Hardware LSHCS 8-32 x 1/4” 4 Plywood 1/2” Front Spinner A 1
Hardware PHSTS #2 x 1/2” 3 Plywood 1/2” Front Spinner B 1
Hardware PHSTS #2 x 3/4” 58 Plywood 1/2” Front Spinner C 1
Hardware Spring 1 Plywood 1/2” Front Spinner Support 1
Hardware Washer 4 Plywood 1/2” Rear Pawl 1
Hardware Weight 10 Plywood 1/2” Rear Pawl Support A 1
Plywood 1/2” Rear Spinner A 1
Plywood 1/2” Rear Spinner B 1
Plywood 1/2” Rear Spinner C 1
Plywood 1/2” Rear Spinner Support 1
Plywood 1/2” Wall Mount 1
Plywood 1/2” Wall Mount Support 1
© 2017 Derek Hugger
Hardware
Description Qty McMaster Carr P/N *
1/8” Magnet Neodymium, 0.7 lbs max pull, Ø1/8” x 1/8” 4 5862K61
1/4” Magnet Neodymium, 2.5 lbs max pull, Ø1/4” x 1/4” 2 58605K75
Bearing (see image below) 6 57155K376
LSHCS 8-32 x 1/4” Low Socket Head Cap Screw 4 93615A317
PHSTS #2 x 1/2” Pan Head Self Tapping Screw 3 92470A098
PHSTS #2 x 3/4” Pan Head Self Tapping Screw 58 92470A103
Spring (see image below) 1 A 3X51-20007**
Washer #8 (outer Ø 3/8, inner Ø 0.174”) 4 90107A010
Weight (see image below) 10 90309A315
Bearing Double Shielded, ABEC-5 Weight Unthreaded Brass Spacers for #6 Screws
1/2” 3/16”
1/2”
Inner Ø 0.14”
1/4” Outer Ø 1/2”
Note that although these spacers are designed
for #6 screws, #2 screws may be used.
Spring NEG’ATOR Spring Motor (aka Constant Torque Spring)
Wound O 1.94”
Wound O 0.9”
Unwound O 1.57”
Unwound O 1.45”
Width 0.437”
Length 124”
Thickness 0.007”
Torque 1.81 in lb
* Part numbers referenced are from www.mcmaster.com. © 2017 Derek Hugger
** Part number referenced is from Stock Drive Products: www.sdp-si.com
Metal
Description Material OD x L * ID Qty Tap** McMaster Carr P/N ***
A Tube 1/4” x 1-1/8” Aluminum 1/4” x 1-1/8” 0.120” 1 one side 4568T11
A Tube 1/4” x 1-1/8” NT Aluminum 1/4” x 1-1/8” 0.120” 1 none
A Tube 1/4” x 1-5/8” Aluminum 1/4” x 1-5/8” 0.120” 1 one side
B Tube 9/32” x 1/4” Brass 9/32” x 1/4” 0.253” 2 - 8859K25
B Tube 9/32” x 3/8” Brass 9/32” x 3/8” 0.253” 3 -
B Tube 9/32” x 5/8” Brass 9/32” x 5/8” 0.253” 1 -
S Tube 1/4” x 5-1/4” Stainless Steel 1/4” x 5-1/4” 0.120” 1 both sides 89495K395
Rod 1/16” x 5/8” Stainless Steel 1/16” x 5/8” - 4 - 90145A421
ID OD
OD outer diameter
ID inner diameter
L length
* Due to variations in plywood thicknesses, required tube lengths may vary slightly.
** Expand 0.120” tube ID with a #29 drill bit and then tap for 8-32 thread. Minimum thread depth: 1/4”.
*** Part numbers referenced are from www.mcmaster.com. © 2017 Derek Hugger
Scale reference. To measure exactly six inches when printed.
1 2 3 4 5 6 in
Wall Mount (back) 1/2
1/16 1/4 1/4
1/16 1/8 1/8 (back)
9/32 7/16 1/8
Re
ar
awP
l 1/2
1/8 3/32
13/32 2 3/16
1/4 3x 3/3
4x 3/16
Front Ratchet Wheel 1/4
2x 3/32 3/16 3/32
2x 3/32
13/32 1/2 3/16
13/32
© 2017 Derek Hugger
Scale reference. To measure exactly six inches when printed.
1 2 3 4 5 6 in
Spinner Cap (back) 1/4
1/2 3/16
2x 1/16 3/16
Rear Ratchet Wheel 1/4
2x 3/32 3/16 3/32
2x 1/16
13/32
© 2017 Derek Hugger
Wall Mount Template
Level this line.
Scale reference. To measure exactly six inches when printed.
1 2 3 4 5 6 in
© 2017 Derek Hugger
Subassemblies
Steps 1, 2
Front Pawl Asm
1
1 Front Pawl 1x
3 2 1/4” Magnet 1x
3 1/8” Magnet 1x
2 4 B Tube 9/32” x 3/8” 1x
The B Tube and Magnets must press firmly
4
into place. Magnets must sit flush in the
Front Pawl. Align magnet polarities such
that they attract each other through the
Front Pawl Asm.
Rear Pawl Asm
1 Rear Pawl 1x
2 1/4” Magnet 1x
3
3 1/8” Magnet 1x
2
4 B Tube 9/32” x 3/8” 1x
The B Tube and Magnets must press firmly
1
into place. Magnets must sit flush in the Rear
Pawl. Align magnet polarities such that they
4
attract each other through the Rear Pawl Asm,
but the 1/4” Magnet repels the 1/4” Magnet in
Front Pawl Asm when the two assemblies are
face to face. See image below.
repel
attract
attract
© 2017 Derek Hugger
Subassemblies
Steps 5, 6
6
1 3
3 5 Wall Mount Asm
3
1 Wall Mount 1x
2 Wall Mount Support 1x
3 PHSTS #2 x 3/4” 3x
4 S Tube 1/4” x 5-1/4” 1x
5 Washer 1x
6 LSHCS 8-32 x 1/4” 1x
2
All fasteners must be sub-flush. S Tube must
press firmly into place.
Drum B Asm
4
1 Drum B 1x
2 Drum B Rear Flange 1x
3 Drum B Front Flange 1x
2 4 B Tube 9/32” x 5/8” 1x
1 Glue Drum B to Drum B Rear Flange and to
Drum B Front Flange. B Tube must press firmly
into place.
3
© 2017 Derek Hugger
Front Spinner Asm
Step 2
1 Weight 5x
2 PHSTS #2 x 3/4” 9x
3 Front Spinner Support 1x
1 1
2
2
2
1
3
2 2
2 2 1
2 2
© 2017 Derek Hugger
Top Level Assembly
Step 3
1 B Tube 9/32” x 3/8” 1x
2 Front Spinner Asm 1x
3 Washer 1x
4 LSHCS 8-32 x 1/4” 1x
The length of the B tube may change. See
Magnetic Ratchet Mechanism in Tips + Tactics.
2 1
3
4
0.010” - 0.020”
To avoid putting an axial load on
the bearings and to help promote
smoother motion, ensure there is
clearance between the S Tube and
the Front Spinner Asm.
This gap is controlled by adjusting
the length of the B Tube installed
between the Wall Mount Asm and
Rear Spinner Asm.
© 2017 Derek Hugger
