![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/311553_aeonnnerbj5_y0xdrarbfkajx.jpg)
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/311553_vrloct4sfsyvcmxfbtkyhgwt_.jpg)
The Mantis project began as a Task Lamp design project in University. The original brief was to design a task lamp to suit two Herman Miller furniture lines.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/311553_40rycheki7ynutadepuip5czj.jpg)
My approach was to eliminate cables in the body of the lamp to prevent wear on cables during adjustment.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/311553_ye3tlwjjuxdmjhgw_ewxjp9dk.jpg)
A concept was developed that used rails and conductive swivelling joints to transfer low voltage dc through the lamp body.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/311553_yuey7ngurgl5mlobrzuadpnwm.jpg)
The first prototype was built using aluminium and American Walnut however the speed at which aluminium oxide built up on the rails prevented the body from conducting electricity and prevented the lamp from functioning.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/311553_v5pzziisa_tdcf_2x5kqfmxdr.jpg)
With some further testing Stainless Steel was selected and I machined a new prototype from figured teak and stainless steel. The new prototype does not loose conductivity and is a fully working prototype.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/311553_vgwjnjodry5pinoinujj2lhfa.jpg)
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/311553_yufojpdjhicv6coxqg8bxawly.jpg)
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/311553_rx4tq8akcwlzlonytzzdie75i.jpg)
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/311553_9ywjuxsvyopsxam4bwbmagk70.jpg)
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/311553_hu5pwnjlmolamynojhjhy32bl.jpg)
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