works

click & glue
a system that locks itself in

A white latex balloon spins an ever-thickening web through the space
using a hot glue gun and nylon thread until the balloon's own threads bring it to stillstand.

Four metal walls hang from the ceiling, in order to define space. A helium filled balloon flies slowly through this space.
A brace covers the balloon and offers fastening spots for the sensors, the electronics, three propellers
and a gluing mechanism, which stands out at the front like a nose.

The balloon flies slowly through the space, pulling a nylon thread from behind itself. Facing the wall with its nose,
the balloon steers towards it. Once the balloon has reached the wall, two magnets adhere the balloon to the steel wall and the nylon thread is being glued to the wall.

Photo: Marietta Kesting

After the glue has hardened, the balloon releases itself from the wall.
The glued spot acts as an anchor point for the next thread and the balloon starts heading to a new wall,
and then to another, weaving a web that grows denser with every new thread.

Photo: Marietta Kesting Click&Glue_manual.pdf

The system Click & Glue works as slowly as possible. It is a sensitive and fragiles system and
reacts to all changes in the environment. But it works incessant and untiringly on
the completion of its task: flying - glueing - flying - glueing - flying...

watch flight sequenzes

download project manual (pdf 480 KB)

System requirements: min. 5 x 5 x 5 meter space, metal plates

Hardware / Software: latex balloon, helium, hot glue gun, nylon thread, sensors, microcontroller, electronic components and technician

Credits

Programming: Frank Ellendt, KarlHeinz Jeron, Oliver Köckritz, Niklas Roy

Technical support: Frank Ellendt, KarlHeinz Jeron, Rickmer Roscher, Niklas Roy,
Achim Sielhof, Burkhard Schmitz, Heinrich Sonnenhol

Steal plates: Karsten Dienus

Helium: Berlin Zeppelin

Prototype 2006
Full Version 2007

© Jana Linke, UdK Berlin