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Principle

14. Spheroidality

a. Replace linear parts or flat surfaces with curved ones, cubical
shapes with spherical shapes
b. Use rollers, balls, spirals
c. Replace a linear motion with rotating movement, utilize a
centrifugal force

  • Principle Description:  Replace linear attributes with curved or spherical properties.

  • Hints on Usage:  Replace linear parts with curved or spherical parts. Replace linear motion with rotation. Use rollers, balls and spirals.

  • This principle is not only about geometry — it is also about changing many things that appear linear such as shifting to non-linear relationships between characteristics and parameters, shifting to non-linear coordinates and signals or actions, etc.

  • The trick is to look for linear situations, relationships, straight lines, flat planes and cubic shapes in situations and systems then assess what new functionalities could be realized if moved to a non-linear state.


Examples:
  • Bearing surfaces transitioned from high-friction flat plates rubbing against each other to sleeve bearings for rotary shafts. This led to roller bearings and ball bearings that allowed friction to be reduced and loads to be distributed differently.

  • Flat conveyor belts that tend to wear on one side can have an extended life if both sides are used.  Just a little twist in the belt yields a mobius strip configuration that allows both sides of the belt to be used;  doubling its life.

  • Economic sanctions are now only used in the most extreme cases of failed diplomacy (linear relationship).  Staying joined economically to countries that were once considered enemies is considered a major cause of the fall of the Berlin wall (spherical relationship).

  • At one time nails had a tapered, rectangular shape.  The nail transitioned to a round cylindrical shape and today some nails have a twisted shape that allows the nail to be retained in the wood better.

  • Jewel cases for CDs started out rectangular but have transitioned to shapes that match the disc shape of the CD.

  • One way to change the culture in a business involves eliminating those resisting the change and developing a more accepting culture (linear thinking). Another method is to see the culture as a system:  as one method of change is applied to the system it adapts to resist and to accommodate.  A designed series of events can thus change the culture of a company by honoring the resistance and using it as feedback on the way (spherical thinking).

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