Boxford Resources System

This project was based around the discovery of small hour glass bulbs many woodworking shops have them and particularly wood turning shops, they are also on ebay in bright colours training out of HonKing. They were designed to be egg timers.

At keystage 3 I would look to this being either a laser or wood or even cardboard project. The nice part of hourglasses is the fact that the technology is very green after manufacture it costs nothing to run and their life span subject to not being broken is unlimited.

At keystage 4 their are larger versions one some 75mm tall and one some 25omm tall. that would allow this project to be extended into much larger versions.

This version of the hourglass project uses the 90mm high hourglass. The acrylic has been cut into a Chinese styled housing. The design was made with the intention that as the glass is turned the feet holding the glass up seem to become wings reminiscent of the roof shapes of a traditional Pagoda, there is also a hark back to Chinese battledress with the claw like adornments found on many helmets. This typical Chinese feel and cultural link is repeated in the symmetry of the shape which allows the transition from feet to wings to take place each time the timepiece is rotated. The balance between air and ground is perpetually preserved. The choice of colour is also important, red is considered to be a lucky colour in China. If an artifact is intended to evoke a feel it must observe cultural traditions. The cultural effect and feel will then follow naturally.

Laser File 2D Design - Download

Laser File MillDesign - Download

Laser File DXF - Download

This project will be expanded again over the next few days as I develop ideas for the other hour glass sizes.