Flower center design

First pass at the flower center looks like crap.  It's aspect ratio is not quite right and it's boxy.  The reason for the shape is it needs to house the re-setting mechanism, which lives just inside it.  If I could downsize the re-setting component, I could slim down the center.

​It could be rounded more to make it look better.  Could also ask Cat Tweedy Ball for some advice.

Box panels removed

Because we're already getting close to our desired production cost estimate, and because we may have to accelerate the design process due to a potential product launch partner, I decided to get rid of the outer box panels, leaving just the opening and closing lotus for the first prototype.  I also changed the base from a hexagon (which mirrored the panels) to a circle, which I believe looks better.​

Box changed from 4 to 6 sides

When I started getting into the design the driving mechanism for the box panels, it became clear that because the petal assembly has 6-fold symmetry, the box panels would have to be the same or 2 different driver designs would need to be developed.  So I changed the box panel count from 4 to 6 and lined them up with the single-petal stations.