click & glue
a system that locks itself inA 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 propellersand 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
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
Technician: Frank Ellendt
Programming: Frank Ellendt, Oliver Köckritz
Technical support: KarlHeinz Jeron, Rickmer Roscher, Niklas Roy,
Achim Sielhof, Burkhard Schmitz, Heinrich Sonnenhol
Steal plates: Karsten Dienus
Helium: Berlin Zeppelin
© Jana Linke, UdK Berlin, 2006/2007