Frames

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Replimat frames are constructed of individual frame sections with a square profile or cross-section. Frame sections may be solid or hollow, constructed from a single piece or laminated or joined cut sheet. All Replimat frame sections share the same width, which is 1.5 inches (38.1 millimeters) across each side. Frames of larger or smaller widths may be produced, and continue to work with all of the construction techniques found here.

Hole Pattern

Holes are centered on each face of the frame and spaced regularly in a repeating pattern at a distance equal to the width of the frame. This geometrical arrangement allows the frame members to reliably produce rigid joints in three dimensions.

Lengths

Frame lengths are intentionally limited to 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 50, 60, 80, and 100 holes per side. These lengths have been chosen to allow for the creation of all necessary joint configurations (using lengths 2, 3, 4, and 5) as well as to allow for lengths with a center hole and lengths which are evenly divisible by two. The reduced set of lengths allows for improved reuse from project to project, easier identification in photographs and diagrams, and simpler production, handling, and shipping.

Nuts and bolts

Frame sections are joined together using three lengths of bolt, suitable for 1, 2, or 3 stacked frames and share a single size washer and nut.

Tools

Frame assembly requires two 13mm wrenches. A socket wrench or battery powered electric socket wrench are highly recommended for quick and easy [dis]assembly.

Joints

Three frame sections can be joined with three nuts and bolts to form a strong three dimensional joint orienting each frame section perpendicular to the others. Other joining techniques allow for triangular and hinged joints, which are sufficient to build several useful linkages including the Peaucellier–Lipkin linear motion linkage, Jansen’s linkage, leading link suspension, and more.

Suppliers

Steel / Aluminum

United states
Canada
  • Any construction steel supplier.
  • Unistrut
UK
  • Any construction steel supplier. (Undrilled)
New Zealand

<sbailard_> VikOlliver, steel and aluminum box section down in NZ, is it metric, or '25.4 mm'? <VikOlliver> Strangley it's in approx 25mm increments...

  • sbailard_ is beside himself in surprise.

<VikOlliver> It's sold as 25x50mm box section but you know what they mean...

Wood

Warning=

In North America, Template:Tag which is called '1x1' or '2x2' is actually smaller than 1 inch or 2 inches in cross section. This is unfortunate but legal. Speak to a lumber yard or other supplier about getting 'wood which is actually sized 1 inch by 1 inch or 2 inches by 2 inches'. They will be able to help you, possibly by setting up a small order correctly sized material with a local mill, which may be a quick job. (If you are a woodworker, this paragraph is obvious, and we apologize. And you have a table saw.)

Imperial

  • 1"x1" or 2"x2"

Metric

18mm x 18mm or 44mm x 44mm (Metric)

Back in the our imperial days these would have been called 1"x1" & 2"x2"

Which should have been 25.4mm x 25.4mm and 50.8mm x 50.8mm now its shown as its true size in mm.

Wood Construction Debris

It's plausible that we can use Eiffel or similar to mill construction debris wood down to 1"x1". It's plausible that we can use Eiffel or similar to mill construction debris wood down to

  • 1"x1" or 2"x2" (Imperial)
  • 18mm x 18mm or 44mm x 44mm (Metric)

A common so-called "two-by-four" (38 mm x 89 mm, 1.5 inch x 3.5 inch) can be ripped and planed into two separate grid beams (each 38 mm square). Does it make any sense to do slightly less work, converting that so-called "2x4 board" into one beam that acts like those 2 grid beams permanently attached to each other, 38 mm x 76 (1.5" x 3.0") with a double row of holes on the 3.0" wide side?

Notes

  • Nails - After checking carefully with a nail finder.
  • Grit - Use a stiff plastic brush to clean off your wood. Stone pebbles will chip your saw blade.

Similar Construction Systems

Dexion Speedframe

This is a high-strength shelving system made from cheap steel square tubes and unimportant but elegant interconnectors.

The tubes are a lovely 1" (25.4mm) square x 10 ft (3048mm aka '3m') long.

  • Speedframe (1" square x 3048mm long) x 1 length

£20.00 per 3m length http://www.tradesystems.co.uk/acatalog/Dexion-SpeedFrame-25mm-Square-Tube-System.html?gclid=CO20puGvvJ4CFQQMDQodVCn5Cg

  • Buy Used! Shelving outlives many a business plan, so check your telephone directory under 'shelving/racking'.

You may get lucky, and pay £10/3m rather than £20/3m. http://shop.instant-shop.com/stodec/category740226.html

  • Used/offbrand

http://www.richardsonsuk.co.uk/productdetails.php?product=74

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