Recreating the Fletcher "Capstan" Table Mechanism in Grasshopper

Grasshopper
1

Hello everyone,

I’m an architecture student with some experience in Grasshopper, and for my master’s thesis, I’m attempting a challenging project: recreating the mechanical transformation of the famous “Capstan” table. My project focuses on dynamic geometry in architecture, and this table is a perfect case study.

I want to build a parametric model in Grasshopper that can replicate its core mechanism, specifically the smooth expansion from a small circular form to a larger one while remaining perfectly round. The challenge is in the interlocking, expanding leaves and the precise radial and rotational movements they require.

I’m looking for advice on the best way to approach this. Given the complexity, what are the most suitable components or plug-ins to handle these kinds of complex, coordinated transformations? I’m particularly interested in managing the geometry of the expanding segments and linking their movement.

Any insights or suggestions on where to start would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Here a Video of someone who has done it in CAD

2

Start by analysing the table and its mechanism and catalogue its parts so you have a full appreciation of what you are dealing with. Establish dimensions, range of motion, angles turned, gear ratios etc. Then focus on one segment and make that work - expanding to the full table will be a trivial continuation. Kangaroo is the key tool in Grasshopper.

You don’t say how you intend to make this parametric. Consider what aspects of the design you might need to adjust for clients and establish a list of parameters that must be variable. If it turns out that you don’t really need it to be parametric then animating the mechanism may be easier in Bongo.

Being organised and understanding where you are going at the start will be key to success.

Buying the plans from the YouTube guy to copy would probably be a good investment unless you have a table of your own to disassemble.

HTH
Jeremy