Tensegrity Models 15 images

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In This These tensegrity models have been made by connecting together edge units to form twisted polyhedra. The edge units have a notch at each
Album: end, and a loop of cord running along the length. They connect by slipping the cord of one edge into the notch of another. Each unit connects
Image List with four others: one at each notch and two along the cord. The basic idea is explained nicely by George Hart in his page on Soda Straw
Thumbnail Tensegrity Structures.
Page
I have built my units from two barbecue sticks bound by wire near each end, which gives the notches. The cord is either a loop of string, or a
length of elastic knotted at each end and sliped through the notches.

The process of twisting transforms an equal edge polyhdron into an equal edge dual form. In the case of the regular and quasi-regular
polyhedra that dual has the same shape as the "normal" dual (by polar reciprocation). Not all equal edge polyhedra have an equal edge twisted
dual.

The regular and quasi-regular polyhedra are also linked with their twisting mid-point by a jitterbug-like transformation, as described in
Polyhedral Twisters.

Twisted polyhedra are also popular as a base for wooden puzzles. A lot of these puzzles can be seen at Puzzle World.

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Octahedron Octahedron / Cube Cube Cuboctahedron

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Rhombic Dodecahedron
Cuboctahedron / Rhombic Dodecahedron Rhombic Dodecahedron Icosahedron

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Icosahedron / Dodecahedron
Dodecahedron Small Stellated Dodecahedron Small Stellated Dodecahedron

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Stella Octangula
Small Stellated Dodecahedron Stella Octangula

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A twisted octahedron.
The stuts come in four sets of three parallel
struts which run along the middle of equilateral
triangle channels. These correspond to the
positions of a particular packing of rods with a
triangular cross section. This helps make the
twisted octahedron a popular base for wooden
puzzles
 Octahedron / Cube
Description : The mid-point of twisting between an
octahedron and cube. The cords form a cuboctahedron,
having the six faces of the cube and 8 faces of the
octahedron. The struts form four triangles inscribed in
the equatorial hexagons of the cuboctahedron.

Cube Description : A twisted cube.

Cuboctahedron
Description : A twisted cuboctahedron.

Cuboctahedron/Rhombic Dodecahedron
Description : The mid-point of twisting between a
cuboctahedron and rhombic dodecahedron. The
cords form a shape close to a small
rhombicuboctahedron. It has the 14 faces of the
cuboctahedron (6 squares and 8 triangles) and the
12 rhombi of the rhombic dodecahedron. The
struts are arranged as 6 squares, arranged in
parallel pairs offset by an 1/8 of a turn.