I should have a picture accompanying this post as I have one tower built out of plywood.  The bigger news is the National Hardware Show gave me a call to let me know they would be interested in hosting my concept.  Of course I hope it is not just a ploy for them to fill convention space. 

Now I am struck with a difficult decision, although I like my plywood prototype, I believe it would garner more respect as a product if made in plastic.  If I decide to go down the plastic avenue, I will need to put all of my time into that effort because I only have a little over 6 months before show time.  

It seems I have come full circle now that I am working with 1/4" plywood.  This is the same material I made my first prototypes  many years ago.  This time however, the design has been honed into a useful tool rather than a problem in search of a solution.  I am also looking into the funding side of things as I draft a proposal to DARPA - a development branch of the Department of Defense.  This is an avenue I hold little hope for success but, it is a great way to further develop the dialog for the project.

I am done messing with cardboard.  It's time to step up to plywood.

I met with a rep from Pacific Container Corporation yesterday.  Many fantastic possibilities discussed.  It's amazing two guys can talk for two hours about a three dimensional rectangle.  I really liked the samples they made up for me, if the price is right, I will be purchasing the outer module shell from them.

After chewing through a significant amount of cardboard, I believe I have the optimal size for each module.  Perhaps it  best to have prototypes made by a company who know all the ins and outs of cardboard.

An epiphany today....side note on the epiphany - my Fiancee believes my epiphany was a result of the week and a half vacation we enjoyed together, and who am I to refute such a claim.  Back to the epiphany; I believe at this time I can eliminate the leg set from the system.  By doing so I will eliminate a great deal of manufacturing costs and the need to have a hinge in the middle of the table - more cost savings.  It will all reveal itself soon; looking forward to the day it all comes together. 

Modules beautifully square and stacking like a champ.  Might have to regroup though - I am not liking how high  a set of four stack up.  I thought I had the size pegged, but after looking at it, I know I must adjust. 

The module is square, now if the rest of the panels remaining can be glued up to match.

Not much luck  folding cardboard, its too difficult for a consistent outer dimension of the module.  A new approach has been adopted using the cardboard in the same way a cabinet worker would assemble a cabinet using plywood.  I am in the process of mass-producing cardboard panels hoping this new approach pans out.

The stainless steel skin arrived yesterday.  Not sure yet how far this will get me or if it will render the look I am after.  After a day toiling away in the shop, I believe I have the construction method for the modules in mind.  However, not fully implemented.