ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

Marc:

This may not be what you're looking for......

http://www2.rhino3d.com/resources/default.asp?category=16&language=

It contains a list of a number of prototyping services (or check your phone
book).

The cost, as I understand it, has come way down, and since you're really
looking for a one off - this would seem to be the ticket....

I use rhino3d, have for years.  If you're familiar with CAD, you can
download a trial and try to create your own model.

Conversely, if you're not, and find it too expensive to have a prototyper
also do the software model) I'd be happy to try and help create the form for
you (I always like the challenge).  the cool thing about rhino is it can
export many different types of files that a lot of different prototype
softwares can utilize.

Things like sphericons, and other interesting mathematical shapes are pretty
easy to create.  If the shape is symmetric about some axis, all the
easier.....

Let me know if I can help (pro bono, peer to peer). 


Jeff Courtman
Exhibits & Special Projects Coordinator
251.208.6851
Exploreum Science Center
www.exploreum.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Marc Taylor
Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2006 11:03 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: custom ellipsoid

ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
****************************************************************************
*

I got bumped off the list, TWICE, according to the IT guy here I should be
back on now... Trying again.

Does anyone have a good source for stock / custom large ellipsoids? Note
that I am not talking about simple spheres, nor something that would fit in
your palm.

In terms of shape, I'm looking for a prolate spheroid (think rugby ball), or
even better a flattened prolate spheroid like a rugby ball someone has sat
on. Technically a scalene ellipsoid, for you geometry-geeks.

In terms of size, I'm looking for shapes at least a foot or two long. I'm
assuming plastic and hollow.

And yes, this may have to do with the weird Kuiper Belt object 2003EL61.

Marc Taylor
Coordinator, Andrus Planetarium
Hudson River Museum
511 Warburton Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10701
914 963 4550 x223
Fax 963 8558
[log in to unmask]

***********************************************************************
More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at
http://www.astc.org.
To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the message
SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]

***********************************************************************
More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at http://www.astc.org.
To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]