CYBER+SPOKE
Alex Brown 2013
In CYBER+SPOKE I came to fully understand the term RAPID PROTOTYPING. For the first time I am able to design and make plastic forms, the ubiquitous type that in their millions, fill up our lives. They are something that were confined to mass production but with rapid prototyping, are now available for creation and reiteration at home.
Experiments in Light Refraction
Investigation and play were undertaken in order to better understand light. Inspiration was found in dappled shadows of tree leaves.
Multiple LEDs make for interesting shadow effects. The water refraction can be relevent for bottle lights.
I have chosen light bulbs and bottles to work with for the same reason. Both are cheap, disposable glassware, both often have a beautiful form rarely noticed for their ubiquity. The Lightbulb Trinkets aim to highlight this beauty through their reappropriation as functional homewares items, diverting them from the waste stream.
Lightbulb Treatment
Bulbs are reclaimed from a recycling bin at work
Secure bulb
Cut end off
Break out terminal and glass seal
File out glass
Season to taste and shake
The salt polishes the inside nicely
Fimo modelling clay served as prototype material prior to the completion of the 3D printer. Working prototypes for both USB and batterypowered LEDs were also created.
Lightbulb Trinkets
Lamp Vase Bowl Plantpot Basket Et Cetera
These hex frame contraptions didn’t go far: the unanimous decision from the class and teachers was to revert to the original idea.
My first prints made it clear that to avoid using support material is a noble and worthwhile quest. Reductions in speed and layer thickness both helped to improve print quality. However, there are still myriad print settings to adjust and learn from.
The materials costs are negligable for vases and non-electrical trinkets, the bulbs hauled from a recycling bin, and the printer filament use is tiny. The noggins cost around 10 cents each. The electronics for LED trinkets add $3.50, plus battery. However, the labour in wiring renders LED trinkets infeasible. Pre-made components are a better option. It took me over an hour to wire up one trinket. Until I find a cheap pre-made lightsource, I would only market vase versions at $12 wholesale: -Lightbulb Treatment: 8 mins @ $40/hr = $5.00 -Print Time: 20 mins @ $10/hr = $3.30 -Materials (inc. packaging) = $3.00
Risk of delamination must be considered for my hanging trinkets. I ensured the structural members’ ‘grain’ runs longways. Next on the agenda is a trinket with sourced LED componentry, to cut down on labour and increase brightness.