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Sonostar got started with ½” PVC hubs about 10 years ago. After 2 years, even with a really basic website and no SEO, we counted up that we had sold dome kits to over 50 countries. Several customers asked us to make hubs for larger domes. So 6 years ago we introduced the ‘Megahubs’ for 1” and 1.5” PVC (all Schedule 40 specs). It was a good move for us, as the megahubs are now more popular than the ½” hubs. Periodically, though, we get requests for mini-hubs, or micro-hubs, from people who want to make a model of their dome before they actually build it. Just as the hubs can be scaled up, we figured they could also be scaled down.
Mini-hubs with Standard Hubs and Megahubs
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So the R&D team took the CAD files for the megahubs and shrunk them in proportion, and then had a bunch of mini-hubs made on 3-D printers. They experimented with different resolutions, and a few different alternative shapes, and they also had to find some colored tubing that could be used to make the struts. The calculators had to be adjusted for the smaller size (the hub-width takeaway), but that was about the only difference in the math. The results were not at all surprising: mini-hubs make mini-domes that look a lot like their big brothers. |
| We think there might be a market for these. Schools buy a lot of our dome kits, but some schools just don’t have the room to build a full-size model. We’re also a little concerned that the mini-hubs could get caught in a kid’s throat if they ever tried to swallow them, and with the bigger hubs, that’s never been a worry. It would be expensive to make all the hubs using 3D printers (as we’ve done for R&D), but we could bring the price way down with an injection mold. |
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YES, I think this is a great idea. I don’t think you guys are seen too much by the general public I found the site only because I had an idea about a greenhouse I think if you guys had the right marketing ( no I’m not in marketing and not trying to sell anything lol) people would snap up the mini kits just for fun it reminds me of the “kuh- nex” toys I had when I was a kid. Also I would be one of the parents that would jump on board to help fund something like this as a school project for my kids school if they were to send me info about it.
I think you guys should go for it, but I don’t know he risk vs reward.
I will definitely be coming back to see the final decision though.
How about a kit for protecting food plants or my wife’s tulip bulbs from critters? We are overrun with squirrel, chipmunk, rabbit, and all their cousins. A dome in clear material or rainbow of colors might be really nice. With pegs to hold down the edges.
Go for it – I’d buy a micro-kit
Don Jensen
February 02, 2024
Hi Jon,
Before my grandchildren build a dome they always get the opportunity to build a model from 1/8" hardwood dowels cut to the appropriate size. We’ve used the 6-spoked hub rubber connectors (just tear one off for the 5-spoke hub and they flex into shape), I obtained from…. can’t remember right now, in the late 1980’s. I still have them. I think I gave you the reference when you were selling the dome to the Canadian swami. I’ll look it up if you want me to.
In all I think it is a great idea. My. suggestion is to make struts compatible with locally obtained dowel sizes and of course sell your in-house struts.
Also, I would include a kit with every dome sold, for obvious reasons.
Thanks, great to have a reason to email you.
Don Jensen
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