Computer Virus Sculpture #10:

Blue Capacitor Virus (2014)

Electronic components (capacitors) and plastic.
21"x21"x21"

This sculpture utilizes 30 large blue capacitors that were discarded as electronic waste. The shape of this sculpture was inspired by a number of biological viruses with regular nodules on their envelopes. For example, the novel coronavirus, or NCoV, has many extended nodules organized about its surface. This virus was first identified by the World Health Organization in September 2012. It is associated with severe acute respiratory illness. According to the CDC, the coronavirus has mainly affected people living in the Middle East. Those infected had fever, cough, and shortness of breath. About half of the infected have died.

This sculpture was constructed such that each capacitor is located on an edge of a dodecahedron. The supporting frame was designed using OpenSCAD a nice, opensource solid CAD program. Images from OpenSCAD are shown here:

Thirty edge pieces and 20 vertices were printed on a MakerBot Replicator 2. The printing took about 30 hours. The Replicator 2 worked like a charm. There are a number of options to select when printing; these were printed with standard resolution and with 25% infill.

The electronic parts were manufactured by BC Components. This firm was purchased by Vishay Intertechnology in 2002.

This part does not appear to be obsolete as it is still being sold today. Outlets can be found by searching on its part number, for example: 3188FH222M350AMA2. For those that are interested, here are the specifications:

Product Description
CAPACITOR SCREW TERM 350V 2200UF
Model No.: 04-11081
Part No.: 3188FH222M350AMA2
Capacitance:2200µF
Capacitance Tolerance:± 20%
Voltage Rating:350V
ESR:0.051ohm
Life Time @ Temperature:5000 hours @ 105°C
Height:146mm
Diameter:76mm
Capacitor Terminals:Screw
Lead Spacing:31.8mm
Operating Temperature Range:-40°C to +105°C
AC Ripple Current @ 100Hz:10A
Capacitor Mounting:Through Hole
External Length / Height:146mm
Impedance:0.031ohm
Leakage Current:1.98mA
No. of Pins:2
Series:PHL

Thanks to Potomac eScrap who donated these electronic parts. And to Martin, my friend and neighbor, who introduced me to 3D printing and OpenSCAD.