NIST Research Lab Access Platform
This was a really fun project to design. The staff at NIST needed to have a way to access their testing instruments in a safer and easier way than a ladder. The other requirement - no metal components. The testing equipment produced a strong magnetic field around the device, ferrous metals effected by magnets of course were out of the question, but even non-ferrous metals such as aluminum fasteners could disrupt testing. The solution - an entirely wooden structure with traditional mortise and tenon wooden joinery connections. No fasteners were used at all! The other requirement - make it look like it was part of the testing apparatus and belonged in a laboratory setting. Not just some generic wooden set of steps. I think the final solution was a great success. We even matched the finish texture and color specifications to the testing equipment by contacting the manufacturer in Germany.
