DIGITAL DESIGN + FABRICATION SM1, 2016 M3 JOURNAL - Rainbow Hoop
Bowen LIU , YiXuan HUANG, YAKUN LI AND Baolin Qiu (783990, 798105, 798554 and 813267) Siavish Malek + Group C
Introduction
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
Our M2 Model was aiming to create the skin and bone structure to reduce the visual sense through the way of connecting strings to create the dense surface in front the face.
M2 model recap and analysis.
However, M2 model came up several great issues that are helping and pushing us to achieve better outcome of M3 Model
Two parts are consisting the M2 model. The one part is supporting part, which located at the both shoulder and one pipe standing at the back. This part doesn't present the value of the skin and bone structure. Because of the pipes was cut into different length and the joints and glue completely fix its shape. The strings within it don't provide any function. One continuous pipe makes the above part, and the strings hold its form. However, once the above part sitting on the supporting part on the shoulder, the supporting part fixed the form of the above part and replaced the role of strings, which result in the whole model lost its skin and bone structure.
Through this journal, we will introduce the whole process of fabrication of M3 Model. And the idea, improvement, testing and tears behind this.
Initial Response Therefore, to avoid the supporting structure ruined the sense of skin and bone structure, we decided to transfer the load bearing point from the shoulder to head. The model will sit on the head and use its self-weight to stretch out the whole structure, which means we will transfer our enemy "weight" as the energy of our skin and bone structure. Secondly, testing more material of tubes relate to its weight and flexibility to figure out the best material to fit the different part of the model. Furthermore, testing more different way of strings connection in relates to its different function and its different expression.
Issues we have from the M2 Model 1. Skin and Bone Structure is not working very well. The bone structure could hold itself by joints and the glue The strings do not actually tie the structure up and play its function as the skin In the result that as we can see from the model, the strings do not look very tie and holding the structure. Some of the string even looks loose. 2. Connecting technique need to be more rich and complex. Strings are too thick to accomplish the complex patterns. The way of connecting strings is not abundant. Only one connecting pattern has been used in this model. Surface looks simple need more patterns. Need to avoid the screw ring as the way of connection which restricts the distance between each connecting points. 2. Need to test more different size and weight tube material.
Design development + fabrication of Prototype V.2
In the design of the prototype V.2, we came up the form of many regular circles, and there is no joints between each circle and the strings act as the joints and hold the whole structure as a whole. And we will use different strings patterns in different part to show its different function. The whole structure sits on the head and uses its self-weight to expand. However, as the images show that some of the strings were still very loose.We have to use hand to stretch to keep the tension of the strings. After analysis the model, we found that because the type of pipe we used is too soft and light. Therefore, the weight is not enough to expand its structure. The other reason that makes the tension of the strings not enough is that the some of the areas is not evenly stressed. Secondly, because of its softness, the pipes can not keep its circular form after being stretched in the different orientation.
Reading Response Wk 6
Reading applied to design
Architecture in the Digital Age - Design + Manufacturing/ Branko Kolarevic, Spon Press, London c2003
In our design, we have tried laser cut., through the material testing of the acrylic board. But we finally abandon this idea due to the acrylic board is too easy to be broken. As long as our model’s central idea is that using the weight as the energy to keep the tension of the strings.
There are four main types of digital fabrication processes Two-Dimensional Fabrication is the most common fabrication technique. It including various of cutting technologies such as laser beam, plasma-art, and water beam.
Moreover, since we choose to use the transparent pipe as our main material, we can not use the laser cut for a reason is that the material is too soft to laser cut.
Subtractive Fabrication refers to the technique which involves the removal of a specified parts from the original material through the electro, mechanical, and chemical processes. Additive Fabrication is the processes of adding materials in a layer by layer fashions. It is often referred to as layered manufacturing, solid freeform fabrication, and desktop manufacturing. A typical example of additive fabrication is the 3D printing.
ZCorp's Z406 3D printer
Thermojet Printer by 3D System
The SLA 250 stereolithography system by 3D System
In our original idea, we initially decided to use the 3d print to make our joints of pipes. But, based on the aesthetic reason, we finally decided to use strings to connect each component and act as the joints.
There is no actual joints in our project. The strings connect the cross point of pipes.
Formative Fabrication is the processes of reshaping the original material into the desired form through the way of heating, steaming, compressing and folding.
The acrylic board we tested by using the laser cut into the shape we desire
Plasma-arc CNC cutting
The double-curved acrylic glass panels
The CNC bending of the aluminum profiles
There is a little gap inbetween each pipe, however, it is impossible to separate.
Reading Response Wk 7
Reading applied to design
Digital Fabrications: architectural + material techniques/Lisa Iwamoto. New York: Princeton Architectural Press c2009
Cube with meshed edge
Mesh without size function
Mesh with fixed size funtion
Mesh with meshed size funtion
The 3D model software helped us to create the different surface. Although it can not show the models weight, we still could use the software to create the surface over the model.And practice and see different patterns before we build the model. With the thousand and millions of advantages of digital technology, however, the disadvantage of it still traped us through our process of model making. Because of we use our materials self-weights as the main energy to expand the model and keep the tension of the strings. However, the 3d model and any of the digital model making software do not have the function of showing the model's weight. Therefore, except the shape of the model, we can not gain any help from the digital design software to solve the force distribution problem. Therefore, we have to testing on the actual model and to see what is going to happen.
Through the development of the digital technology, the digital fabrication became the main technique to produce a digital and physical model. It is inconceivable that design a building without using digital technology in today’s society. The digital technology integrates every step of the architectural process from conceptual design to the construction. The digital technology has far more improved the efficiency of the design process and fabrication. Although the 3d model soft ware allowed us to see what is the pattern look like on the 3d model before we actually built the model physically. However, the 3d model soft ware cannot show the effect of weight. Therefore we can not guarantee that the string will work on the physical model. Therefore, we have to test on the actual model to see its effect.
3D modeling and other drawing software like CAD is one aspect of digital technology. Digital technology allowed us to see the three-dimensional model of our design before the physical model is made. We could test more prototype and materials, fix mistakes and get the best result before we fabricate. Furthermore, the 2D drawing software is initially replacing the physical drawing and transferring it into digitally platform which makes the two-dimensional drawing efficient, easy to edit. Moreover, because of the digital technology, the physical fabrication has also changed dramatically. The 3D printing technology gives a direct transfer from the digital model to physical model.
Unfolded panel
Michael argues that “Making becomes knowledge or intelligence creation, In this way thinking and doing, design and fabrication, and prototype and final design become blurred, interactive and part of a non-linear means of innovation (Iwamoto, 1969).� The digital technology not hugely improved the efficiency of design process and fabrication, but also gives designer more opportunities to test more and learn more which result in the best outcome of the design.
"Software affords a wide array of tessellating possilities that inevitably propagate certain design techniques, so it is not surprising that there has been a rise in tessellated projects." The tessellated pattern designed by software.
Rhombus Pattern 1. Strong tension 2. Fixed at 4 points result in the transform of the plastic circle.
Prototype Development String Patterns Testing And Analysis
Through the process of testing patterns, we have been tried numbers of different patterns in the different form and bone material.
Tension Patterns is performing good in tension. However, the material of 6mm clear vinyl tubing is too light to achieve tension by using its self-weight. Ruled Surface Pattern have a really good perform to form a beautiful and complex surface on the tube. Squire Pattern 1. Strong tension 2. Repetition and rotation of the squire pattern resulting in the great ability to form the circular for of the bone structure.
Using pipe as the bone structure to form the open and close structure. Four circles fixed one joint and using its self-weight to let the structure open and close
Moreover, ruled surface is also a great way of connecting in the position where having the cross of pipes
Tension Pattern 1. Great in tension 2. Especially for two component which having a heavier weight. Using straw as the bone structure and cut it into different size, put the strings in to the staw and through the way of connecting to form the ruled surface. 1. Beautiful Patterns with hign desnsity. 2. Good in tenstion
Testing string patterns effect on the 6mm Clear Vinyl Tubing. After the test, we found that the string pattern will not perform well at 6mm clear vinyl tubing because it is too light and not enough self-weight to keep the string fully in tension. Therefore, we decided to use the pipe which have more weight.
Tension Patterns is performing good in tension, however, with the restriction of the self-weight of the tube, the tension patterns only work well in the space of one bent tube. And have good ability to hold its curve.
Prototype Development Bone Material Testing We tested the acrylic board as the bone structure, and laser cuts it into form and cutting holes on the acrylic board. Then put the strings on it.
Therefore, we focus back on the pipes. We have been tested many kinds of pipes since the beginning of the M2. First of all, through the experience of using the 10 mm white water pipes, we found that the weight of the pipe is satisfying. However, the strength of the pipe is relatively strong. Therefore, it is hard to drill the hole on it by using the hole punch. Furthermore, because of its strength, it is also hard to form the shape we desired. From the images at the left, The way of shaping the pipe is that we cut it into different length and using the glue and joints to fixed.
Through the processing, we found that the acrylic board is too easy to broke. As the picture shown below. Because of our project is using the self-weight as the energy to keep the string fully intension. Therefore, the weight may break the bone structure and also the material of acrylic is relatively light weight.
We also tested the 10 mm black water pipe. Same as the 10 mm white water pipe, the strength of the pipe is strong and hard to drill the hole over it. And it is hard to form the shape we desired. Moreover, the weight of 10 mm black water pipe too heavy as well as to take the advantages of the lightness of skin and bone structure. As well as the black color shows the sense of heaviness that we do not put it into our design.
Finally, we decided to choose the reinforced transparent water pipe as the material of bone structure in our design. Because the reinforced transparent water pipe's weight is satisfying our design's need. Moreover, its strength is perfect to form the shape of our design and also not too strong to drill the hole over it by using the hole punch.Furthermore, the transparent color of the water pipes gives the sense of lightness which conforms to our design
Prototype Optimisation String Art
Through the test of strings patterns, we chose 4 of these ways of connection which are tension patterns, cross patterns, ruled surface patterns and square patterns. Based on different functions of different connect patterns, we allocate different patterns into the different position in our design to give it best chance to show its advantage.
We used the cross patterns on the surface over the head. For a reason is that the cross patterns could provide the most evenly force distribution. Which is the most comfortable way for people to wear?
We used different colors of strings to demonstrate its different functions.
The square pattern can hold the circular form of the pipe while remaining in good tension. Therefore, the reason we use the square pattern in this area is that we what to keep this semi-circle remain its curve to satisfy the shape we design in the 3d model.
Because of the tension pattern's super ability to hold two components which have heavier weight. Therefore, we used tension patterns to act as the load-bearing elements to hold and carry the structure up to the position we want. All these load-bearing elements in tension patterns are in the color of purpose
This pattern is the another version of square patterns. This shape is a triangle pattern; we transfer the square patterns to triangular to allow this patterns to hold the semi-circle shape rather than a circle shape. All this triangle pattern are in the color of green
Moreover, we also used this pattern as the eye cover surface. Because that this is the best way to create the most density surface in a single surface.
Moreover, we also used this pattern as the eye cover surface. Because that this is the best way to create the most density surface in a single surface. The ruled surface pattern have the advantages to create a beautiful and intricate surface. Meanwhile, it is also a great way of connecting two pipes cross to each other. Therefore, we decided to use this pattern to some the place where the pipe cross. We used yellow strings to express this. Moreover, we also used red strings in the ruled surface. However, the red string is not used to connecting two pipes cross to each but is for holding the curve form of the pipe while creating beautiful patterns.
Fabrication Sequences
According to the 3D model and measuring the distance between each connection points. And drill the pipe by using the hole punch.
Using tape and timber batten to fix each component in the position we desired.
Measure and drill the pipe
Fixation Tention
Cut The Pipe
Form the pipe into the circle and Lable it
According to the 3D model, measure the length of each component and cut the pipe into different length.
Using the 6mm Clear Vinyl Tubing as the joints to connect the 8mm reinforced transparent pipe. And label each circle.
Start to put on the strings.
Eye Cover
Line Arts
Final Adjust
Assembly Drawing
C4: 1470mm
C1: 1130mm
C3: 1580mm C2: 1380mm C5: 1380mm
Assembly Drawing
Appendix
Architecture in the Digital Age - Design and Manufacturing/Branko Kolarevic. Spon Press, London, c2003 Digital Fabrications:architectural and material techniques/Lisa Iwamoto. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, c2009
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