DIGITAL DESIGN + FABRICATION SM1, 2016 M3 JOURNAL - SLEEPING POD CHEN CHAOMING (769691) TIM - Seminar #3
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Introduction
From the M2 prototyping process, 4 kinds of material has been tested as the flexible foam board and 1mm screen board are abandoned due to the lack of folding compression and unsatisfactory aesthetic performance. By contrast, the 290 gsm ivory card and polypropylene performed in different compressive characteristics which could be utilized in the prototype. The prototype is designed as an armour which creating the head supports around the neck with sponge padding embedded on the inner surface to increase comfort level, and the wearer’s face could be covered by a continuous folding system. However, from the observation and test on the prototype, the front compact structure did not work as expectation and it also encountered the problem of fixing on human body.
_Tested Marterial
_Elevation
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_Front
Hence, according to the feedback from M2, I decided to change the direction of the design.
_Elevation
_Front
_Sponge Padding
Design development
_Design Development 1
_Design Development 2
_Design Development 3
During the developing stage, I tried to keep the idea of assembling different sizes paraboloids to model a varying geometry that not been limited too much of following the human body’s shape. However, by considering the feasibility of fabricating the model, a more pure, spherical geometry was created.
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Design development + fabrication of Prototype V.2
The spherical pod is designed as an enclosed system to keep the user’s head being protected while the congregation of hyperbolic paraboloids alternating joined by smooth surface panel to form a threatening spiky geometry.
_Perspective
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_Front
_Perspective
To test the feasibility of the design, I started to fabricate the bottom part using the small card cutter. And I also met some setting problem with the cutter which could be adjusted in final fabrication.
_Card Cutter
_Fabrication tested
The prototype demonstrated nice aesthetic performance of external side. However, the size around the neck circle should be further adjusted.
_Prototype Front
_Prototype Perspective
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Reading Response Wk 6 Architecture in the Digital Age - Design + Manufacturing/ Branko Kolarevic, Spon Press, London c2003
Briefly outline the various digital fabrication processes. Explain how you use digital fabrication in your design? Two-dimensional fabrication: Most commonly used fabrication technique, included two-axis motion of the sheet material related to the cutting head, as well as implementing as a moving cutting head or moving bed even a combination. Technologies vary because of the difference between materials and their thickness. Example: Laser Cuter, Water-jets Subtractive fabrication: Through using electro-, chemically- or mechanically-reductive processes to remove specified volume from solid materials. The milling could happen in multipleaxial motion. Example: CNC Milling Additive fabrication: It is an incremental process of adding material layer by layer. Example: 3D Printer Formative fabrication: Mechanical forces, restricting forms, heat or steam are applied to a material so as to form it into desired shape via reshaping or deformation, which can be axially or surface constrained. Example: Steam-bending board Assembly: As the technologies are helpful in creating the individual components effectively and accurately, assembling processes are also crucial to the product which needs to determine, move and fix each component in its proper places.
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Reading applied to design How does the fabrication process and strategy effect your second skin project?
During my fabrication process, in order to form an enclosed system by assembling a large number of hyperbolic paraboloids with consideration of light weight, ivory card is the selected material which could be perfectly cut by the card cutter. Comparing to fold the paraboloids by hand and one by one which is really time consuming, I extracted the accurate measurement from the rhino model of each types of paraboloids and unrolled them into original flat shapes. The template created to print the job to the cutter. However, there was no technique can be used to the assembly process, which I chose the traditional way of creating tab connection by offsetting the edges of 5mm for joining components invisibly.
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Reading Response Wk 7 Digital Fabrications: architectural + material techniques/Lisa Iwamoto. New York: Princeton Architectural Press c2009
Describe one aspect of the recent shift in the use of digital technology from design to fabrication?
Three types of joining system are introduced in the reading as well as in the lecture. They are Sectioning, Tessellating and Folding. In my view, the system used in my sleeping pod project is in between the Tessellating technique and Folding technique. The single piece of hyperbolic parabolids was created along the folding pattern, while the collection of pieces is fixed together without gaps by using the tab connection.
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Prototype development
_Prototyping Process
Learned from the experience of previous prototype fabrication, I started to make exact prototype based on accurate measurement from digital model and examined black color card to create different atmosphere. To allow the folded pieces to join without being seen, the edges are offset by 5mm to create a tab connection. _Tab Connection
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Prototype optimisation The information of folded pieces are indicated and classified in to different templates. The grasshopper program is used to create the dashed line.
_Card Cutter Template Screenshot
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Prototype optimisation
_Views from different angles
The prototype is fabricated with majority of white or black ivory cards as well as clear polypropylene sheets.
_Top
_Bottom
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The bottom paraboloids are adjustable to user while it could be opened outwards before wearing, and fold inwards after the position is fixed.
_Flipping Bottom
A circle of inner layer is attached near the lower part of face which comprised layers of paraboloids with cotton ball, aimed to increase the interior comfort level for the wearer.
_Inner Layer
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Prototype optimisation
The assemblage of different colours and types materials demonstrated sharp contrast between light and dark parts.
_Effects
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_Viewport from the inside
Suppose the views of wearer from the inside off to different parts of sleeping pod.
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Final design in Rhino
_Perspective
_Front
_Left
_2D
_Right
_Clipping View to Inner Layer
_Back
_Top
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Fabrication Sequence
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Assembly Drawing The assembly drawing shows the project in detail pieces with specific measurement indicated.
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COMPLETED PROTOTYPE
_Completed Prototype Tested on Human
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