Collaborative Multipurpose Parts?
How to invent them?
Here is our current experimental setup. Feel free to challenge it!
1 → ASSEMBLY
Ikego uses fasteners that allow for reassembly.
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2 → GRID
One way to make parts creatively recombinable is to base them on a shared uniform grid.
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img BILOfix, img by E. Poulsen, cc-by-sa
Ikego is inspired by Erector sets, where all parts fit together because they follow the same grid – the distance between the bolt holes is always the same.
The Ikego-Grid uses distance of 30mm. Using this grid does not mean drilling every possible hole, but only those required for the known applications of the component.
Using the Ikego grid is not mandatory for designers! Suggestions for other systems are welcome. Eventually Ikego will outgrow the grid. Currently, the Ikego grid is a working method to ensure that new parts combine well with most existing ones.
(If you are interested in the origin of the Ikego 30mm grid, read here & here.)
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3 → EVOLUTION
A powerful system of universal parts cannot be planned, it needs to emerge 🪸 through collaboration.
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Ikego’s goal is to find parts that stimulate the creativity of numerous designers and that can be repurposed in surprising ways time and again.
Naturally, one person’s surprising use case cannot be accurately predicted by another. As a result, one cannot simply design multipurpose parts. They must emerge naturally over time. Truly universal parts will gain popularity and use cases, while those with fewer applications will fade into the background, waiting to be (re)discovered. The system evolves dynamically, continuously adapting to new contexts.
Ikego designers therefore have two main goals:
- “Nice Part Usage“: They try to creatively find new ways to use existing elements—and incorporate them into compelling sets. It’s “cool” when they succeed in doing so.
- “Turbo Universal Parts“: Whenever they hit the limits of the system, they add new parts. However, they try to make sure their parts are universal; they strive to introduce the “turbo universal part”. This means that they only introduce parts for which they themselves can already see more than one use case. They iterate on their new parts until they can sketch several use cases.
Examples
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Parker Haynes created the “elephant rods“ to build the “elephant shelf.” Rods with threaded inserts on both sides proved to be quite useful outside of the elephant shelf as well. And indeed, the elephant rods are currently a core component of many new Ikego sets that go far beyond a simple shelf.
Example 2
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This is the initial draft for a lampshade compatible with the elephant rods. It functioned as a lampshade, but otherwise seemed to have limited versatility.
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So it was redesigned.
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The side hole was enlarged from 6 mm to 10 mm to allow for other types of connections as well.
At the bottom, the Duo has been given a step so that it is now stackable.
These two changes enable many new combinations and uses. And the original component still functions as a lampshade.
It is quite possible that the component will undergo further modifications in the future—for example, adapting it to other production techniques or adding further uses that require more stability.
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4 → LOCAL PRODUCTION
Easy to make. #Tolerance #Open
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Mass-manufacturing-ready but DIY-friendly.
We envision Ikego products being produced in premium quality and high volumes by professional manufacturers across the globe.
We also want to enable local small scale production, upgrade and repair. For this the system is built around a couple core principles:
– easy to manufacture
We love parts that are easy to make with common tools in your own workshop or in a local makerspace.
– cheap to buy
Standard industrial components that are affordable and widely available, such as bolts, nuts, cable ties, and other basic hardware.
– common to find
Sticks and stones, sand, plastic bottles — materials you can gather or collect in your immediate surroundings.
– 3D printable
3D printers and other digital manufacturing tools are becoming increasingly widespread. All digital design files are freely accessible. You can print the parts yourself or have them produced at a nearby makerspace or 3D printing service.
– simple electronics
Simple, transparent electronics keep components easy to understand, repair, and modify. Electronic components should be based on open, widespread, and well-documented standards, and ideally already belong to the public domain.
– urban resources
Cities generate a growing supply of resources that already contain valuable, manufactured components. Washing machine drums, Euro pallets, bicycle tyres and dishwasher racks are just a few examples of things that can be recovered and given a new purpose
– a luxurious tolerance
Tolerance regarding material selection and dimensional accuracy aligns well with the principles above, enabling the use of local materials and small-scale production.
Why “material” tolerance? → Because it allows the use of local or leftover material. And also a designer’s creative expression when picking out the final materials and colors.
Why size tolerance? → Because it allows the use of simple tools that are available everywhere. If you need a heavy, expensive machine capable of producing 0.1mm accuracy to make your part work, local manufacture is difficult to achieve, which will make repair or reuse a bit harder. The standard tolerance allows a size deviation of +/- 10mm from the values mentioned in the parts post (It used to be 15 mm in the early experimental phase of the system. But 10 mm proved to be sufficient and causes fewer problems. Some early sets may still work with 15 mm.)
Examples ↓
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It is important to understand that the number, position and diameter of the holes are not affected by the tolerance! The holes and their exact position in relation to each other make up the identity of the part. Because this is how the parts connect to each other within a grid.
These parts are all the same
The outer shape varies slightly, but the holes are the same size and in the same position relative to each other.
These parts are different
Same board size, same position of holes in the grid, but the holes are of a different size.
Different parts
These are two different parts. The dimensions are the same and the holes are in the same location, but the holes are different in size.
Same parts
These are the same parts. The dimensions are slightly different but the location of holes relative to each other and their diameters are exactly the same.
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Tolerance is a running experiment! We are aware that tolerance may lead to cases where a part does not work in a design with that part (for example when the material is too weak or parts overlap). Le’s see if this really emerges and how big an issue it will be. Ikego is open research. Research with us.
Tolerance enables creative expression. A model is set but the final curves, colors and materials are decided by the designer. Learn more below:
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5 → PROTOTYPES
Ikego collects prototypes and builds on them.
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Ikego is an open laboratory.
↳ Therefor Ikego Sets appear in 3 4 variants/stages (set stats):
Digital Prototype (new) →
To accelerate system development and reduce costs for individual creators, we also display prototypes that have only been built digitally in CAD. For these prototypes, it should be plausible that they can also be realized in the physical world. Nevertheless, our disclaimer – which applies to all content on this website – should be taken particularly seriously.
Physical Prototype →
is a rough functional prototype that just proves that a set works. A completed research step. This prototype differs from an aesthetic prototype and a manufacturing prototype in that no final decisions on colors and materials have yet been made.
Make →
is a well-made execution (‘interpretation’) of a set by a skilled craftsman picking colors, materials and final shapes. CALL FOR MAKERS: Add a make! Create a really well made make of a set and send us a picture to include in the page. Let’s make the system shine!
Product →
is a professional make that is intended to be sold to customers. Either as a one-off-drop or as continuous mass production. See our manufacturer brief. It is important to understand, that while the parts are functionally open a finished product can be closed. Depending on the laws in your region you might be able to protect your specific combination of colors, materials and shapes. Or you can print your trademarked Logo on the set or parts. This will prevent others from copying what you do.
6 → DETAILS
Hole-sizes, materials & aesthetics.
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I. Bolt & hole sizes
The tolerance rule above explains why bolts in the parts catalog come in these steps:
10 – 30 – 50 – 70 – 90 – 110 – 130 – …
+/- 10mm allows to have all steps in between – for example 14mm.
So far, Ikego designers have worked with 3 different hole & bolt sizes:
- 10mm – for structures that need to be really strong or to cover M6 cap nuts.
- 6mm – for M6 screws that are strong enough for furniture such as beds or chairs
- 4mm – for M4 bolt solutions such as headphones, rucksacks and other small items that don’t need to support a lot of weight.
But this is just a suggestion. Feel free to step out of this.
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II. Materials?
Circularity also depends on the materials. So far, we haven’t added anything specific about that. Let’s figure out the multipurpose parts part first. All designs are currently independent of the material. This enables the use of sustainable materials. And we encourage that. If you have just begun your journey of discovering sustainable materials, research biodegradable materials 🪱, recyclable materials ♻️, long-lasting materials 🛡️, local materials 🎋, or leftover materials 🗑️. That’s a start.
III. Aesthetics
Given Ikego’s generous tolerances, it’s clear: currently appearance is fluid. The same parts can morph across different materials, while curves and radii adapt to your creative vision. From custom colors to local coatings, there is always space for a designer’s final, creative signature.
Read our → white paper about "Design with Multipurpose Parts".
Version 1.1
It's clear that this is system version 1.0, and we truly believe in an evolutionary approach. Things may change over time. Always ready for new insights! Experiment with us, and let's find out how we can make improvements together.
