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Ancient Knots Keep Curiosity's Laces Tied — Parallax Forums

Ancient Knots Keep Curiosity's Laces Tied

davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
edited 2012-09-10 07:47 in General Discussion
http://news.yahoo.com/ancient-knots-keep-mars-rovers-laces-tied-red-141541222.html
Apparently, when you're sending a robot millions of miles out of reach, time-tested tying methods win out over newfangled epoxies or ratchet zip ties. Knot enthusiasts at the International Guild of Knot Tyers (IGKT) Forum have analyzed color photos that the Martian rover recently took of the equipment on its decks.

The "international guild of knot tyers"?!?

What the...???

Interesting information in any event.

Comments

  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2012-09-06 09:54
    Talk about scrapping the bottom the barrel for a news story.

    I can hear the conversation now.. "Is there anything new on Curiosity we can report??!" "Nope, more pictures of sand...."

    Some nerd at JPL is having a great day, as his idea made the front page of Yahoo. Congrats to him! :)

    Jeff
  • skylightskylight Posts: 1,915
    edited 2012-09-06 09:58
    I'd knot heard of that
  • Dave HeinDave Hein Posts: 6,347
    edited 2012-09-06 10:05
    Wow, they used square knots instead of grannies. Now, that is news! Back to more important stuff, like which song should they send to mars and back next. I think JPL needs to hire a new PR agency. Maybe one that knows just a little bit about science.
  • skylightskylight Posts: 1,915
    edited 2012-09-06 10:19
    Dave Hein wrote: »
    Back to more important stuff, like which song should they send to mars .
    Not sure about what song but perhaps an old theme tune?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t87PHGkOQds&feature=related
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2012-09-06 10:31
    I think all space probes should carry old Star Trek episodes. That way any alien race that finds it will fear us humans should we ever meet up.
  • localrogerlocalroger Posts: 3,452
    edited 2012-09-06 10:46
    Heater. wrote: »
    I think all space probes should carry old Star Trek episodes. That way any alien race that finds it will fear us humans should we ever meet up.

    Or they might reconstruct the technology depicted in such historic documents and come seek an alliance.
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2012-09-06 11:06
    ...and come seek an alliance

    Exactly, then we can build an intergalactic empire using the same techniques as the British Empire, smoke and mirrors.
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2012-09-06 11:10
    "The suns never set on the Terran Empire"

    We'll have to work on that, it doesn't quite work.
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2012-09-06 11:29
    Same wire bundle used since to 60's. A little waxed lines, and the tie lasts forever, unlike plastic wire ties that break down due to age and UV.
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2012-09-06 11:34
    localroger wrote: »
    Or they might reconstruct the technology depicted in such historic documents and come seek an alliance.

    I think this is a Galaxy Quest reference...
  • RDL2004RDL2004 Posts: 2,554
    edited 2012-09-06 11:59
    I think this is a Galaxy Quest reference...

    I caught that too. One of my favorite non-serious, goofy-fun movies. Pretty well done actually :)
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2012-09-06 15:05
    Galaxy Quest was brilliant. Far underappreciated.
  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2012-09-06 23:52
    davejames wrote: »
    http://news.yahoo.com/ancient-knots-keep-mars-rovers-laces-tied-red-141541222.html



    The "international guild of knot tyers"?!?

    What the...???

    Interesting information in any event.

    At one time wiring harnesses were tied with lacing cord (waxed string), and there was a specific knot used for that. I know. I spent an entire summer making wiring harnesses.
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2012-09-07 01:13
    I suppose this combination of a clove hitch and a square knot is quite useful if you need to untie and reconfigure whatever you built.

    I just wonder who exactly is going to go to Mars to do so.

    These days, I feel it might be better to ponder what is happening on Earth rather than Mars. With more attention closer to home we might solve some very real problems. There seem to be an abundance.

    It is either that, or I'd like to climb aboard Voyager 1 and leave the solar system.
  • jdoleckijdolecki Posts: 726
    edited 2012-09-07 01:35
    The IGBM (International Guild of Bow Makers) will disagree

    A wire bundle tied with a nice Bow will be far superior!
  • RS_JimRS_Jim Posts: 1,768
    edited 2012-09-07 03:18
    kwinn wrote: »
    At one time wiring harnesses were tied with lacing cord (waxed string), and there was a specific knot used for that. I know. I spent an entire summer making wiring harnesses.

    In what seems a lifetime ago, I too spent a summer lacing racks full of video gear with lacing cord. Wished I could remember the how to tie the knot!
    Jim
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2012-09-07 03:31
    We need a tutorial thread/video on lacing up cable runs and such here. I have long since forgotten how I did it when we were building 3D radars in the Marconi company back in the early 1980s. Also used it on tube amature radio stuff as a teenager. I was shown how to do it by a guy who installed colour TV transmitters for a living.

    I can see a whole new fad here for "retro wiring" of Propeller projects. Saves using all those ugly tie wraps and such.
  • Duane C. JohnsonDuane C. Johnson Posts: 955
    edited 2012-09-07 14:17
    Try this:
    Running_Lace.gif

    Duane J
  • davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
    edited 2012-09-07 16:31
    Duane - I can see the difference between examples A and B...but, what's the difference? I can't figure how B would be "right" and A "wrong".
  • davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
    edited 2012-09-07 16:35
    ...and for those thinking that I posted this due to the use of lacing instead of cable ties - it wasn't about that and the possibility I might never have seen lacing used (I have, I'm old).

    It was the "International Guilde of Knot Tyers".

    And yes, seeing something considered "old skool" amongst rocket science was pretty cool!
  • Duane C. JohnsonDuane C. Johnson Posts: 955
    edited 2012-09-07 17:07
    Hi davejames;
    davejames wrote: »
    Duane - I can see the difference between examples A and B...but, what's the difference? I can't figure how B would be "right" and A "wrong".
    The correct way is to have the running part close in to the wire bundle. And the wrapping part on the top.
    Being closer in the strait parts will not snag as easily. The wrapping part takes care of itself.

    BTW, there is a similar wrong way to do C also.

    I like using waxed lacing myself. I think its superior to the tie wrap methods.

    Duane J
  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2012-09-07 17:48
    By Grabthar's hammer, that is clever...
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2012-09-07 17:51
    Good Reverend, you made me Google, I'm ashamed to admit!!
  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2012-09-07 17:58
    mindrobots wrote: »
    Good Reverend, you made me Google, I'm ashamed to admit!!

    LOL! Glad I contributed in some small way to the increase of knowledge (even if it is trivial knowledge)!
  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2012-09-07 18:29
    @RS_Jim & Heater

    I still use the knot on occasion but am not sure what it is called. It was shown to me by a fellow from Holland who used to make the wiring harnesses for Phillips. The lacing and knot were not continuous like the ones Duane posted. The wire bundle was tied with individual loops of lacing cord about 1 inch apart, and used a slip knot with a regular knot then tied under and on top of the slip knot. A bit too complicated for me to draw a picture of it but I guess I could post a video if anyone is interested.
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2012-09-07 19:10
    Duane C. Johnson,

    Great, thanks, that looks just like how I did it. Never did get into example (C) style though.
    Now, what is the wondefull book that illustration comes from?

    kwinn,

    Yes, let's see it.
  • davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
    edited 2012-09-08 08:25
    Duane C. Johnson wrote: »
    The correct way is to have the running part close in to the wire bundle. And the wrapping part on the top.
    Being closer in the strait parts will not snag as easily. The wrapping part takes care of itself.

    ...ohhhhhhhh! I get it. Yes, makes perfect sense when explained.

    Thanks much.
  • Duane C. JohnsonDuane C. Johnson Posts: 955
    edited 2012-09-09 09:25
    Here's the source:

    http://www.aeroelectric.com/articles/cable_lace/cable_lace.html

    Even has that Slip Knot version.

    Duane J
  • Mark_TMark_T Posts: 1,981
    edited 2012-09-10 07:47
    davejames wrote: »
    Duane - I can see the difference between examples A and B...but, what's the difference? I can't figure how B would be "right" and A "wrong".

    Tie them both - you'll find B will stay put whereas A will fall loose as soon as you let go. Try tying each around a smooth stick and them removing the stick - B will leave a string of overhand knots on the string, A will fall apart leaving nothing.
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