Toby Vann from Archimedes Design was in town today so he could deliver a dome to a client, and so we could do some prep work and set up the new prototype hub.

The new prototype hub is the initial attempt at a welded model. 

The very first hub was made of hand pressed pipe, and we had some problems with the weak spot inverting when there was too much pressure on it. The second model was a cast steel hub, which is still available, works great and is beautiful, but is really heavy. About 2 pounds a hub. You can see all about those hubs  here and here. 

So, the boys next step was to work with a new welded hub. Not quite as pretty, but weighs only ounces and will cost far less to produce. I'll be taking the first prototype dome with this hub around with me on the festival circuit this summer, to see how it holds up and to help problem solve some of the stuff that may come up. 

But first, we had to put the dome together and make sure it even worked. 

Just like old times. I'm not quite nostalgic about last summer yet, but almost. :) If you'd like to see that journey, you can go here.

The hubs ended up fitting together just fine, without changing the shape of the dome at all. They don't feel quite as hardcore solid as the cast hubs, but definitely way more stable than the first pressed version, and they definitely seem like they'll do the trick! 

We also gave a very short run through workshop to a client who came to pick up his dome. 

Unfortunately we didn't have time to help him build his dome as we'd intended, as it was starting to rain and the park regie had already asked us to take down our initial structure because we didn't have a permit. *groan*

All in all though, a successful day, with almost no hiccups. The hubs ended up working great! Next stop with this dome- Blossom Festival in Alexandria in May. As well, Toby and Michael will be showing more domes at the Maker Faire in San Mateo, California in May.