Periodic Table

2019 was the international year of the periodic table, marking the 150th year of the table of elements. To mark this milestone, mk Profile Systems worked closely with Warwick University to create a giant periodic table sized at 3.6m x 2.7m x 2m with its structure based on both the 25 and 40 series of the mk aluminium profile system. The benefit of using mk’s comprehensive profile system was that it requires no welding, abrasive grinding or painting unlike a steel structure. However the profiles are sturdy and combine high load capacity whilst retaining an attractive design. The 25 series profile is ideal for light duty frames and show cases but by incorporating the 40 series, which is ideal for exhibit pieces, this provides additional strength to the display piece. Initially on display at the Royal Society Summer Exhibition in London at the start of July 2019, the table will then be used at other shows/events. The idea for the structure came from Warwick University, a long standing customer of mk Profiles, and then mk assisted with the design to ensure that the vision became a reality. Once all of the profiles and associated components had been delivered to Warwick University the students set to work assembling the structure and then adding the elements. This included 1064 LEDs with 9 LEDs for each element; the elements each have their own micro controller with individual addresses, then each of the six main blocks has a 12C routing board to address the (up to) 24 elements. The routing boards connect to a central hub which in turn links to the control panel that has its own controllers, 126 in total.