Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
11-30-2012
Publication Title
Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Abstract
Let the centers of a finite number of disjoint, closed disks be pinned to the plane, but with each free to rotate about its center. Given an arrangement of such disks with each labeled + or -, we investigate the question of whether they can be all wrapped by a single loop of string so that, when the string is taut and circulates, it rotates by friction all the ⊕-disks counterclockwise and all the ⊖-disks clockwise, without any string-rubbing conflicts. We show that although this is not always possible, natural disk-separation conditions guarantee a solution. We also characterize the hexagonal "penny-packing" arrangements that are wrappable.
Volume
7579 LNCS
First Page
65
Last Page
78
DOI
10.1007/978-3-642-34191-5_6
ISSN
03029743
Rights
© the author
Recommended Citation
O'Rourke, Joseph, "String-Wrapped Rotating Disks" (2012). Computer Science: Faculty Publications, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/csc_facpubs/181
Comments
Peer reviewed accepted manuscript.