Tensegrity Floating Loop

The Kontax Tensegrity Floating Loop

This elegant and minimalist tensegrity structure takes the form of a ring, with impossibly thin flexible wires and strong magnets appearing to defy gravity in holding it afloat. A fret-worked arm enhances the minimilist look.

What is Tensegrity?

Tensegrity is short for "tensional integrity". Tensegrity structures have the structural parts held in compression and tension. In this floating loop tensegrity structure the ring is in compression and the wire and magnets in tension. This results in a structure that is stable and able to support itself in any orientation, independent of gravity.

How does the magnet link work?

The magnets are held apart under attraction, they are trying to pull together. This means the lower magnet attached to the bottom of the ring is trying to pull itself upwards towards the upper magnet hanging from the top of the arm. Because the bottom magnet is firmly fixed to the ring any upwards force from the top arm is also exerted on the ring. Because the ring is rigidly connected to the arm or base it will give a little jiggle when nudged.

Main features:

• 0.24mm diameter wires
• Neodymium magnets
• Stabilising rubber feet

Materials

• Stainless steel 7-strand woven wires and wire loops
• Brass wire crimps
• Anodised aluminium base
• Natural aluminium arm
• Stainless steel screws

Dimensions

• Base plate - 92mm diameter, 8mm thick (3.62" x 0.32")
• Wires - 0.24mmm diameter (0.009")
• Overall height - 130mm (5.11")

Kit

The Tensegrity Floating Loop is supplied as a self-assembly kit.

Instructions

Click the image below for PDF assembly instructions.