Add the water
Turn the valve to fill the open trough along the bird's back.
Machines & motion
Tipping Heron
Fill the bird’s trough until it tips forward and pours water from its beak.
Explore every angle
3D MODEL
Load the 3D model to rotate and zoom. Approx. 1.2 MB.
Design concept shown in a fixed pose. The 3D view explores the form; effects and mechanisms are illustrative.
FROM ACTION TO DISCOVERY
How the interaction works
Watch the bow
The added load tips the bird forward around its pivot.
Pour and return
Water leaves through the beak, allowing the weighted tail to restore the bird.
A CLOSER LOOK
Perspective render
Explore the arrangement of a pivoting heron with open back trough, beak outlet and weighted tail.
LEARNING THROUGH PLAY
What visitors can discover
This concept brings balance, weight and animal-inspired play into a shared water-table setting. Visitors can explore the idea at their own pace and compare what they notice with a partner.
Balance
A changing load produces a changing position.
Gravity
The tilted trough creates a route for water to leave.
Mechanisms in stories
An expressive bird form makes a pivoting mechanism memorable.
PART OF A BIGGER WATER TABLE
Planning Tipping Heron
Keep the valve reachable and leave clear space for the complete tipping arc. Develop the counterbalance, beak discharge and reset behaviour through testing.
The arrangement can be developed for a museum, science centre or play space as part of a custom water table. Final dimensions, materials and operating performance are established during design and engineering.
See the complete water table exhibit →KEEP EXPLORING
More in Machines & motion
Make this discovery part of your exhibit.
Let’s explore how Tipping Heron could fit your water table.
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