CHILDRENS HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER OF AKRON INSTALLATION

The concept:

The sculptor’s vision was to create a kinetic, powered sculpture to cap the 14-foot wall in the atrium of the Childrens Hospital Medical Center of Akron, Ohio. The sculpture is token operated, with occasional free shows provided by an automated timer.

During the sculpture’s cycle, a ‘robot’ work crew drives a hoist mechanism to lift a creature with sculpted passengers from its landing pad to the top of the seven-story atrium. After a slight pause at the ceiling, the winged creature, passengers etc. are released to fall and with the parachute ‘breaking’ the speed of the descent. Secondary elements involving lights, rotating dics and sounds add to the feeling of an amusement park ride.

Challenge:

• Assist the sculptor in creating presentation materials to secure the commission
• Aid the sculptor in areas outside of his skill set.

Proposal:

• Work interactively with the sculptor to iterate variations of the design in SolidWorks
• Brainstorm mechanisms
• Create a full-color animation and static renderings of the final design for the proposal submission .

Sourcing:

All mechanical and electrical components were selected for a long service life and ease of future replacement. FEA and engineering calculations were performed by the DiMonte Group to insure safety and performance.

Programming:

Write the software that drives the sculpture, including special test modes, insuring safety in event of power outages, etc

Installation:

• Storyboard the installation to work through issues before getting on site
• Assist in the installation and testing of the completed piece