Precision Pendulum Assembly
THIS PAGE IS STILL WORK IN PROGRESS
This page is intended to serve as the assembly instructions for the Precision Pendulum, particularly following the setup developed for the WPA project. This page starts with a brief description of the apparatus and its core components. Then it is followed by the description of the assembly process which is divided into three core parts: the mechanical assembly, the electronic controller assembly and the setup calibration. An additional step is described for those who want to allow "non-remote" operation (ie: local operation in a museum or common area with public access).
Order of assembly
Although it is not critical is recommended to follow this recommendation list in order to proper assembly the structure. This list only refer to the main points that shall not be neglected and highlighs the most leave-out aspects:
- Assemble the main structure according to the following instructions, filling up the tubes with small grained sand but only to 2/3 of their height after being tight to avoid sand leakage. Conversely it can be taped in the interior.
- Keep the screws loose (only hand tight) during the alignment; only after setting up the complete structure and proper calibration they should be tighten.
- During cable measurements take the fulcrum out of the rail (cable off-centered) in order to measure the exact length by having it on the parallax plane.
- Excite the pendulum to define the exact plane of natural oscillation and use the screw nuts of the launcher to adjust his direction; before doing it have the flashlight and paper screen
