[Dak]

The Dynamic Dimension System


[Pillar] [Pillar]

Elements in a plug and play home building system must have standardized dimensions. If not so, an element would lose its value the moment you take it away from a construction. It would not fit any place else. You could only throw it away or have it remanufactured. Think about the famous building system LEGO. A LEGO block is modular. It always fits together with the other LEGO blocks. What would happen if all LEGO blocks in a set would have just a little bit different dimensions? You would only be able to make one construction with a given set!. This is exactly what is happening in normal home building. Every piece is fitted to size.

An other advantage of standard dimensions is that manufacturers can produce elements, not knowing what the building will be in which it is fitted. This opens the way to mass production and thus lowers prices. Mass production asks for limiting the amount of available dimensions.

On the other side, standardized dimensions can be a harness for the design. A standard dimension could be just a little too long or too short for your goal. So you should have enough available dimensions to reach your goal.

As a solution to these problems of dimension I offer the following dimension system: System A


[Pillar] ___Dimension System A____ [Pillar]

System A is a fractal modular preference dividing line dimension system with fixed joint width.

This asks for some explanation.

Fractal modular means it is a modular system, but the module depends on the dimension. The bigger the dimension, the bigger the module. This you can see in the table.

Dimension rangeModule
fromto
mmmmmm
12.55012.5
5010025
10030050
300900100
9002700300
2,7008,100900
8,10024,3002,700

Available dimensions thus would be:

  • 12.5 mm
  • 25 mm
  • 37.5 mm
  • 50 mm
  • 75 mm
  • 100 mm
  • 150 mm
  • etc

And for angles the module is:

Angle rangeModule
fromto
degreedegreedegree
036015

Available angles thus would be:

  • 15 degrees
  • 30 degrees
  • 45 degrees
  • 60 degrees
  • 75 degrees
  • 90 degrees
  • 105 degrees
  • etc

These are the normal angles on a drawing board.


The preference part means that you have preferred dimensions. I suggest that there be a first choice dimension and a second choice dimension. The first choice in kept in stock, the second choice is made to order. Besides this you can always have a "special". This means a dimension which is not in the system.

The second choice emerges by adding a second choice module to our table:

Dimension rangeModule
fromtofirst choicesecond choice
mmmmmmmm
12.55012.5
501002512.5
1003005025
30090010050
9002700300100
2,7008,100900300
8,10024,3002,700900

Available second choice dimensions thus would be:

  • 62.5 mm
  • 87.5 mm
  • 125 mm
  • 175 mm
  • 225 mm
  • 275 mm
  • etc
A complete list of first and second choice dimensions is available.

And for angles the second choice module is:

Angle rangeModule
fromtofirst choicesecond choice
degreedegreedegreedegree
0360155

Available second choice angles thus would be:

  • 5 degrees
  • 10 degrees
  • 20 degrees
  • 25 degrees
  • 35 degrees
  • 40 degrees
  • etc

Dividing line means the dimension specifies the distance between the center of joints (dividing lines) and not the dimensions of the element (which are smaller).


The part about fixed joints width tells you that all elements have the same width of the joint. This means the element is smaller than the modular dimension to leave a place for the joint. This joint width is set at 12.5 mm. The joint width is necessary for:

  1. expansion of the element (heat, moisture), taken at 4 mm
  2. a form tolerance of 2 mm: The form of the element is will never be exact.
  3. place tolerance: The element will never be exactly placed. I take this to be 2 mm too.
  4. place for specific material in the joint (strengtheners, weather strips, etc.) 2 - 5 mm

You have to subtract the joint width form the modular dimension to get the real dimension of an element.


[Pillar] ___Examples____ [Pillar]

Lets say we want to establish the dimensions of the small wall element in the next picture.

We need to determine the width, height and thickness.

The dimensions of the element are within system A: A300 x A600 x A100

  • Width: A300
  • Height: A600
  • Thickness: A100

These are all first choice dimensions. The A-dimension specifies the distance between dividing lines in the construction. So we have to subtract the joint width of 12.5 mm. The dimensions of the element itself should thus be:

  • Width: 287.5 mm
  • Height: 587.5 mm
  • Thickness: 87.5 mm

System A allows for 2 mm form tolerance. An element with following dimensions is thus regarded as OK:

  • Width: 288 mm
  • Height: 586 mm
  • Thickness: 89.5 mm

When manufacturers stick to this dimension system, elements will always fit together to make a continuous structure.


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