Kontax Tensegrity table with centre magnets User manual

These instructions are for the centre magnets version of
the Tensegrity table.
Please read all the way through the assembly
instructions to familiarise yourself with the process
before you start and pay close attention to the
alignment of all the parts in the diagrams.
Assembly time should be approximately 15-20 minutes.
Tensegrity table
with centre magnets
assembly instructions
Tensegrity magnet assembly instructions page 1 of 15
Copyright Kontax Engineering Ltd 31/5/23

Base
1x1x
Outer wire
3x3x
Top plate
1x1x
Torx driver
1x1x
Shuttle
3x3x
Assembly screw
2x2x
Long roundhead screw
3x3x
Short roundhead screw
3x3x
Countersunk
screw
4x4x
Grub screw
5x5x
Hex key
1x1x
Wire loop
2x2x
Magnet
2x2x
Assembly plate
1x1x
Arm
2x2x
Rubber feet
3x
(Note, some kits may have 4x rubber feet)
Tensegrity magnet assembly instructions page 2 of 15
Copyright Kontax Engineering Ltd 31/5/23

Note, some kits have three rubber feet and dimples, some have four rubber feet and dimples
Peel the backing off the adhesive rubber feet and stick them over the dimples on the bottom of the base.
3x feet and dimples 4x feet and dimples
Tensegrity magnet assembly instructions page 3 of 15
Copyright Kontax Engineering Ltd 31/5/23

Screw two countersunk screws through the
base into the arm and tighten.
It might help to have an assistant hold the
base and arm together while you screw the
screws in.
Tensegrity magnet assembly instructions page 4 of 15
Copyright Kontax Engineering Ltd 31/5/23

Fit the slot in the assembly plate over the lower arm and
screw one assembly screw through the arm into the assembly
plate.
You should be able to screw it in using your fingers, but if not
you can use a small cross-point screwdriver. Do not tighten
too much or you risk marking the arm.
Fit the second arm into the slot in the assembly
plate and screw one assembly screw through
the arm into the assembly plate.
Tensegrity magnet assembly instructions page 5 of 15
Copyright Kontax Engineering Ltd 31/5/23

Shown cut away for clarity
MAGNET SAFETY: When
separating the magnets use
a sideways sliding motion.
When separated do not
allow them to snap together,
they could damage
themselves or injure you.
Rotate and twist
the wire loops until
they fit in the
magnets as shown.
Fit one wire loop through
the hole in one of the
magnets.
Repeat for the second
wire loop and magnet.
Tensegrity magnet assembly instructions page 6 of 15
Copyright Kontax Engineering Ltd 31/5/23

Arm shown cutaway for clarity
Fit one magnet and wire 1.
loop into the top pocket
in the assembly plate.
Swing the wire loop into 2.
the slot in the arm.
Use the hex key to screw 3.
one grub screw into the
arm until it is flush with
the top face.
2. Fit wire loop
1. Fit
magnet
3. Fit screw
The screw should pass
cleanly through the
hook on the end of the
wire loop and screw
down flush with the
arm. If it feels tight as
you screw it in do not
force it. Back the screw
off, reposition the hook
and try again.
Repeat for the second
magnet. You will need
to hold the first magnet
in place with your
finger when you fit the
second magnet into
the assembly plate.
Tensegrity magnet assembly instructions page 7 of 15
Copyright Kontax Engineering Ltd 31/5/23

Identify the top surface of the top plate,
this is the side with the countersinks on the
two holes.
Position the top plate over the arm with
the top surface upwards and screw two
countersunk screws through the top plate
into the arm and tighten.
If the plate is the right way up the screws
should fit slightly below the surface. If the
plate is the wrong way up the screws will sit
above the surface, in which case the plate
will need reversing.
Countersinks
Tensegrity magnet assembly instructions page 8 of 15
Copyright Kontax Engineering Ltd 31/5/23

Fit one outer wire loop into one of the slots
in the top plate. The loop should enter
from the underside of the plate.
Using the hex key screw 1x grub screw
into the plate, going through the loop on
the wire.
The screw should pass cleanly through the
loop on the end of the wire and screw
down flush with the edge of the plate. If it
feels tight as you screw it in do not force
it. Back the screw off, reposition the loop
and try again.
Repeat for the other two outer wires.
Plate shown cutaway for clarity
Tensegrity magnet assembly instructions page 9 of 15
Copyright Kontax Engineering Ltd 31/5/23

1. Fit shuttle
4. Fit short roundhead screw
2. Fit long roundhead screw
Fit one shuttle into a short slot in the base. 1.
Fit one long roundhead screw through the hole in the 2.
edge of the base.
Screw the screw into the shuttle until a couple of threads 3.
are showing in the hole.
Screw one short roundhead screw into the shuttle a 4.
couple of turns.
Repeat for the other two shuttles.
Detail view after fitting screws
3. Couple of threads
showing
Tensegrity magnet assembly instructions page 10 of 15
Copyright Kontax Engineering Ltd 31/5/23

Feed one outer wire 1.
through its matching hole
in the base.
Loop the wire fully around 2.
its opposite shuttle screw.
The wire should go a full
180° around the screw.
Pull firmly enough to take 3.
up all the slack in the wire
but not tight like a guitar
string. The wire should be
straight all the way from
the base to the top plate
with no bends or kinks.
Make sure the long 4.
roundhead screw has
been pulled fully into its
hole.
Make sure the slack is still 5.
taken up and screw the
shuttle screw down tightly
onto the outer wire.
The loose wire end can 6.
be tucked underneath
the straight section for
tidiness.
4. Make sure screw is fully
inside pocket
2. Loop around
screw
1.Feed through hole
3. Take up slack
5. Tighten screw
6. Tuck loose end
Repeat for the other
two outer wires.
Tensegrity magnet assembly instructions page 11 of 15
Copyright Kontax Engineering Ltd 31/5/23

Remove the two assembly screws
and then very carefully remove
the assembly plate, the magnets
will pull together slightly.
If the slack in the wires was taken
up correctly in the previous stage
then the magnets should have
just enough pull to hold the table
upright.
If the magnets come apart and
the wire loops detach from the
arms you should be able to slip
the loops back over the grub
screws in the arms and gently
bring the magnets back near
each other to hold the top plate
in place.
If there is too much slack in the
outer wires the magnets might
snap together. If they do you will
need to slide them apart, refit the
assembly plate and screws, and
readjust the outer wires so there is
no slack (refer to page11).
Tensegrity magnet assembly instructions page 12 of 15
Copyright Kontax Engineering Ltd 31/5/23

Note: In the next step, undoing the screws lengthens the outer
wires, which allows the magnets to move closer together, which
increases the stability of the table.
Now you need to set the correct amount of gap between the
magnets. Use the Torx driver to undo each screw around the
base until the magnets are about 2-3mm apart. It is best to work
around the three screws in turn undoing each one a little bit at a
time. A 2-3mm gap gives the optimal pull on the magnets, which
will hold the top plate steady. When you have the magnet gap
set correctly you can use a ruler against the top plate edge and
fine tune the screws to get the wires the same length and the
top plate horizontal.
If you undo the screws too much the magnets might snap
together. If they do you will need to slide them apart, screw the
screws around the base IN a few turns to shorten the outer wires,
gently bring the magnets back near each other to hold the top
plate in place and restart the magnet gap adjustment.
The table is not designed to carry heavy loads on top. If you
overload it the magnets will pull apart. Provided you have the
correct 2-3mm gap you can put light objects (250g) on top for
brief demonstration purposes. It is best to avoid leaving anything
on it permanently.
If the table collapses and the wire loops detach from the arms
you should be able to slip them back over the grub screws in the
arms and gently bring the magnets back near each other to
hold the top plate in place.
Tensegrity magnet assembly instructions page 13 of 15
Copyright Kontax Engineering Ltd 31/5/23

Your Tensegrity table is now fully assembled.
If you need help with your table you can email us at:
[email protected]
Tensegrity magnet assembly instructions page 14 of 15
Copyright Kontax Engineering Ltd 31/5/23

Our workshop is located in the Thames Valley, United Kingdom and is staffed by a skilled team of 9
designers, machinists and assemblers. We have 4 CNC mills, 3 CNC lathes and 3 CNC mill-turn centres.
Tensegrity magnet assembly instructions page 15 of 15
Copyright Kontax Engineering Ltd 31/5/23