Drop Tower Microgravity Demonstrator
Assembly Instructions
 The entire apparatus fits in a trunk which doubles as the catch-basin.
  1. Open the trunk and inspect the arrangement so that you can get it all back into the trunk when you pack it up! Next, remove all items and spread them out for easy identification and location.
  2. Locate the two wooden boards (~2' long) with bolts and wingnuts in them.  Fasten these feet under the base of the trunk with the bolts coming through the holes in the base.  Use the wingnuts on inside of trunk.  The feet should extend towards the folding down front of the trunk.  These feet provide additional stability.
  3. Locate the two PVC pipes that are labeled BOTTOM.  Insert them into the wooden blocks on the inside of either side of the trunk.  Use the pair of holes that are furthest forward.  It may be a snug fit, so a twisting motion may help.  Orient the PVC so that the metal rope cleat is on the upper end.
  4. Take two (of the 4) PVC pipes labled "MID/TOP".  Slide one (the middle) over the upper end of the BOTTOM piece mentioned above.  Place the other one (top) on the end of the middle, giving a stack of three PVC pipes as one of the vertical supports.  The support should be 7 to 8 feet tall'.
  5. Setup takes about 5-10 minutes (when experienced)Repeat for the other side's vertical support.
  6. Locate the last PVC pipe with the pulleys and elbows attached.  Thread the rope through the two pulleys so that the clip is at the end of the rope closest to the center pulley.  We will clip this to the drop box later.
  7. Place this last section of PVC across the top with the elbows sliding over the tops of the two vertical supports.
  8. Clip the rope to an eyelet on the top of the drop box so that the box hangs somewhat balanced (choose and eyelet).
  9. Arrange the TV & VCR close enough to the drop tower so that the cables will reach (3-4 feet is ok).
  10. Plug in the camera to a 110V wall outlet (or extension cord) and attach the video cable to the video input of the VCR.  Also attach the output of the VCR to the input of the TV.
  11. Turn on the VCR and TV to confirm that you are getting a video signal (stick your hand in the drop box to verify).
  12. Shown here at 2/3 of usable height.Place the pillows in the bottom of the trunk to act  as a catch basin.  Arrange them with one in the back and one in the front (running side-to-side). These pillows have been chosen because they provide a good balance between springyness and damping behavior.  Please do not use a substitute!
 You are ready to go!