Libra Scale

Libra ScaleLucas Pinheiro Teixeira | 1D | Man and Activity

Libra Scale

Context

Thinking about kitchen scales is remembering the pleasure ofcooking. In this changing world more and more people choosepre-made, prepared or instant food instead of using receipts.Cooking is seen as a great pleasure by some people, thoughthe kitchen environment is not prepared yet to be the new livingroom in the contemporary house, where people divide their timebetween meals, entertainment and work.

The Kitchen as the new Living Room

Living rooms were meant to make us feel good. Everything seamsto invite us to relax, to forget the routine. Kitchens, in the otherhand are usually a house attachment, a room of minor importance,a place filled with appliances, tools, all sort of machines and theso common fluorescent lamps.

So the challenge I set for my self was to build a kitchen scalethat could bring the living room feeling to the kitchen environment.An aesthetically pleasant object that could transform the act ofcooking into a delightful ritual.

Libra Scale

The Challenge, The Concept

The challenge I set for my self was to design a kitchen scale thatcould bring the living room feeling to the kitchen environment. Anaesthetically pleasant object that could transform the act of cookinginto a delightful ritual.

For so, it seam pretty clear to me that an analogical system wouldsuit the best my concept. Then, the idea of using elastic springs anda retractile ruler came along. That system would allow the scale to bequite hygienic and precise, yet elegant and good to look.Cooking for one is indeed cooking for you. A chance to be creative,a moment to think about yourself and not about your work. A goodmeal is in fact a great present for your body and soul after an exhaustingworking day.

One ruler, one dish, one bowl, two springs and a metal frame, that'swhat I purpose for someone who wants to enjoy the moment ofcooking as a pause. An object that invites you ,through it's presence,to plan your meal, to weight the ingredients, to treat yourself right. Akitchen scale that communicates in silence, that reminds you howpleasant cooking can be.

Libra Scale

How it works

The spring principle is a common system use for weighting. Also knowans newton method, it measures the weight through distance. Oncethe spring stretches with the weight of the object, its length expandsin proportion.

Libra is based on this very principle. With 2 elastic springs, one plateand one retractable ruler, it allows you to weight quickly and quiteaccurately.The range of weights supported by the scale vary between 75 gm and500 gm, once it was thought for one person. There is no risk that thesprings may brake once the surface where the scale stands is the limitfor stretchingThe retractable ruler displays the weight being measured right on topof the structure, graphically. It’s system retracting makes it possible thatthere is always tension and that the ruler stays aligned perfectly.The weight of the plate guarantees that it is horizontal and in tensioneven if it is not being used, while the 2 springs hold it on 4 points toenhance stability.The design of the metal structure makes it sure that the scale stays stilland standing due to its concentration of weight of the bottom massivebar.

0 gm 100 gm

250 gm 500 gm (max)

Libra Scale

0 gm without the bowl 0 gm with the bowl

Start at 0 - with or without bowl

When do you want to weight some ingredient you can choose if you wantto use the plate or the bowl.Both options are possible with the same ruler since you can extend it andretract it using the two screws to fix the ruler. The distance between the2 screws was thought to anulate the extra weight of the bowl.A small engraving of the bowl is situated by the screw, so that is easy tounderstand which one to choose.

Libra Scale

Bottom part of retractable ruler

Front part of retractable ruler

Retractable Ruler

The retractable ruler is the element that translates the weight into carateres.Its system relies on a mechanism that guarantees that the ruler is alwaysin tension.The ruler it self only shows the value that is being weight. The other numbersrest on the back part of the ruler that is not displayed directly to the user.The system is fully integrated into the metal structure and it’s seamlesswhen observed by naked eye.

Libra Scale

One bowl, One plate - the right measure for you

Libra was designed to fit a single person needs. Both the bowland he plate are dimensioned to satisfy the user common needs.Therefore the containers may carry liquid, grainy and solidingredients.

The bowl may contain up to 1/3 L and the plate counts with aquite large surface to put big ingredients.

Both solutions might be detached from the main structure, sothat you can clean them after usage.

80 gm Pasta 250 mml Milk 150 gm rice

250 gm Meat & Fish | 200 gm vegetables | 500gm powders

Libra Scale

Libra, the user and the kitchen

Libra was designed for the kitchen as the new living room. So it’s shape,materials and size, work together for inviting us to use it.It was meant to be a scale that reminds you to treat your self right, to relaxyour mind and give your body a good meal and, even better, a pleasantcooking time.Therefore its shape is notorious within the kitchen scenario. Its strangecontours captivate our attention and invite us to start the ritual of cooking.The weighting system, the cosy feeling provided by the wood containers,the elegant and discreet structure and the colourful springs appeal to theuser from the kitchen balcony.Its size fits you and the soften edges and the hygienic finishes guaranteea safe and comfortable usage.

Libra Scale

Materials and Dimensions

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Oak : Wood light yellow to dark brown, hard with coarse grain.Elastic Textile Springs: Available in a wide range of colours, stretchingproperties, aesthetically pleasant.Stainless Steel: High resistant to corrosion, food compatible, good mechanicalstrength.Polyester : Medium cost, flexible, good mechanical strength, food compatible.Aluminum: Light, resistant to corrosion, aesthetically pleasant, precise,recyclable.Epoxy Coating: Turns the wood surface easy to clean and food compatible.

Dimensions: Structure - 150mm x 250mm x 300mmPlate - 250mm Ø x 30mm | Bowl 100mm Ø x 70mm

Stainless SteelElastic Springs Oak

Epoxy CoatingAluminiumPolyester 654

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Looking BackwardsSketches, Ideas, Studies - From the final concept, untill the first idea

On the next pages