hubs dome - User Manual

How
to build
your
dome.
™
™
Version 1
Waterproof and tearproof

Summary

Principles

Only clamp-up hubs when the dome is in its final position

Crucial advice to clamp hubs only when the dome is fully assembled and in its final configuration.

Watchouts!

Hubs are hinges

Sockets can pinch

Falling sticks

The build

Step 1: Start with a 5-way hub

Initial step involving a 5-way hub and five SHORTS, ensuring correct orientation.

Step 2: Snap a 6-way hub

Connecting 6-way hubs to SHORTS and then adding LONGS, lifting the center hub.

Step 3: Connect LONGS into triangles

Using LONGS and 6-way hubs to create triangular segments of the dome.

Step 4: Connect SHORTS and 5-way hubs

Adding SHORTS and 5-way hubs to the existing structure to complete connections.

Step 5: Place SHORTS in a ring

Incorporating SHORTS into a ring around the structure, connecting them one at a time.

Step 6: Connect SHORTS and LONGS

Adding SHORTS to 5-way hubs and LONGS to 6-way hubs to continue the pattern.

Step 7: Use 6-way hubs for triangles

Step 8: Place LONGS in an outer ring

Completing your dome

Choose Base Approach

Check Alignment

Clamp-up the Hubs

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Important Technical Specifications
3. Usage Features
4. Maintenance Features

This manual describes the "hubs" system for building geodesic domes, offering a modular and adaptable approach to constructing various dome structures. The system is designed for ease of assembly and disassembly, making it suitable for temporary or semi-permanent installations such as fruit cages, garden rooms, and chicken runs.

Function Description:

The "hubs" system facilitates the construction of geodesic domes using a combination of specialized connectors (hubs) and structural members (sticks). The core function is to provide a flexible and robust framework that can be assembled by individuals with minimal specialized tools or expertise. The hubs act as connection points, allowing multiple sticks to converge at specific angles, forming the characteristic geodesic pattern. The system is designed to be adaptable, allowing for different dome sizes and configurations by varying the number and arrangement of components.

Important Technical Specifications:

The system utilizes two primary types of hubs:

• 5-way hubs: Used for connections where five sticks converge.
• 6-way hubs: Used for connections where six sticks converge.

Two lengths of "sticks" are provided:

• SHORTS: Shorter structural members (x30 included for the dome build, plus additional for the base).
• LONGS: Longer structural members (x35 included for the dome build, plus additional for the base).

The clamping mechanism for the hubs involves:

• Locking plates (x26): Clamp the ball connectors in place once the dome is in its final position.
• Hub screws (x26): Go through the center of the hub for clamping.
• Wing nuts (x25): Screw onto the end of the hub screw to clamp the locking plate.
• Allen key (x1): Used to hold the hub screws in position when clamping.

Additional components include:

• Hanging eyelet (x1): For suspending objects from the dome's center.
• Base components: The kit includes wood screws and ball connectors for various base approaches. Depending on the chosen base, an additional 10 wood screws or 20 ball connectors and 20 wood screws may be needed (included in the kit).

The materials used for the manual are polypropylene, making it waterproof and tearproof, suggesting the components themselves are designed for outdoor use and durability.

Usage Features:

The manual emphasizes several key principles for smooth assembly:

• Two-person assembly: It takes two people to connect sticks, with one person lifting and the other connecting.
• Stay on the outside: Builders should remain on the outside of the dome structure during assembly to avoid interfering with connections.
• Insert from below: Ball connectors should be inserted and removed from below the hub for proper alignment.
• Lift the hub above: To enable connection, the hub should be lifted slightly above the stick.
• Lift by the sticks above the hub: When lifting sections, it's recommended to use two sticks above the hub for better leverage and stability.
• Only clamp-up hubs when the dome is in its final position: This is a critical safety and structural integrity feature. Moving the dome while hubs are clamped can damage the hubs and ball connectors.

The build process is broken down into eight sequential steps, with clear illustrations and descriptions for each. It starts with a central 5-way hub and five SHORTS, progressively adding 6-way hubs, LONGS, and more SHORTS to form the dome's structure. The instructions guide the user through creating triangles and rings of sticks, emphasizing the importance of connecting sticks one at a time and lifting hubs when connections are difficult.

The manual outlines various base approaches:

• Low base: Simple blocks of wood or small feet to protect the bottom ring of sticks from damp. These can be staked to the ground.
• Raised base: Utilizes posts to elevate the dome, providing more space underneath.
• Standing up base: Involves screwing ball connectors directly onto a base structure, with a template provided for spacing.
• Lying down base: The hub sits horizontally, fixed to the base with a screw through its center or a hub screw with a threaded insert.
• Temporary use: Simply resting the dome on the ground, secured with stakes, weights, or sandbags.

A crucial warning is provided regarding anchoring the dome: regardless of the base approach, the dome and any cover must be securely anchored to the ground to withstand wind forces.

Maintenance Features:

While the manual doesn't explicitly detail ongoing maintenance, it provides important "Watchouts!" that imply best practices for longevity and safety:

• Hubs are hinges: Keep fingers and sticks away from the hub's hinge points during assembly to prevent pinching.
• Sockets can pinch: Keep fingertips away from sockets when connecting sticks. Wearing gloves is recommended to minimize risk.
• Falling sticks: Stay on the outside during assembly. If a stick pops out, simply reinsert it.
• Not a climbing frame: The dome is not designed for climbing.
• Don't suspend heavy objects: The dome is not intended to support heavy suspended loads.

These warnings highlight the importance of proper handling during assembly and appropriate use of the finished structure to prevent damage to the components and ensure safety. The instruction to "Un-clamp all hubs before taking the dome down" is a key maintenance-related feature, ensuring the components are not stressed or damaged during disassembly. The manual also notes that the paper is made from polypropylene and can be recycled, indicating a consideration for environmental impact.

hubs dome Specifications

General

Brand	hubs
Model	dome
Category	Play Sets & Playground Equipment
Language	English