Ddf m4 journal hao lin 743375

DIGITAL DESIGN + FABRICATION SM1, 2016 Multipurpose Skeleton Hao Lin

743375 Michelle #9

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Contents: 1.0 Ideation

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2.0 Design

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3.0 Fabrication

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4.0 Reflection

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5.0 Appendix

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1.1 Object

600 mm

1.0 IDEATION 1.1 Object 1.2 Object & System Drawing 1.3 Volume 1.4 Sketch Design Proposal

920 mm

Scale 1:10

Scale 1:10 Because umbrella is such a big object compares to other objects the class provided, I used measuring tape to measure the overall height and diameter of the umbrella. For convenience, I took the skin of the umbrella off and it would be easy to measure and explore the length and angle of the bones. I also cut the bones to measure each part of the bone.

Scale is very important to design works, we can use many ways to measue things nowadays, but in ancient time they could only use hand cutting (

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1.2 Object & System Drawing

When pushing the central part of umbrella, the other parts of bones move because they are connected together.

Take this part of bones as example, when the wire inside the second tube is pulled, it would also pull the next bone move and stretch

Top View

Pespective 1

Skin

Firstly, I used the data that I measured from the umbrella bones to create different parts of bones, using split to make the holes. And connected them together to make a Skelton.

And then, I used rotation to copy six times.

I used polygon to create the line of the umbrella and exploded them. Drawing the curve line and arc to create one side of the surface and copied it.

Front

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The skin also takes an important part of the umbrella.

The skin is sewed on the bones and would move when the bones move. It covers the bones and also resists part of the tension that the steel wires create.

Bones

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1.2 Volume

1.4 Sketch Design Proposal Connecton, Stretch, Hide

Sketch Design 1 Protecting our personal space is human nature, as Sommer (1969) mentions, when people realise distance between one and another, and when they realise others are human, they would have the feeling of personal space and detect others getting closer to his personal space. So that I focused on how to make people ignore the distance between two persons and reduce the feeling area of users.

When people want to sleep, they could pull a string or metal wire which is connected to the hat and it would cover the head automatically. This design aims to prevent users from disturbing by others. Cover one’s head in order to block the outside world’s impact.

To reduce the personal space area.

This design can provide a sense of protection and when people bend over the desk, they are isolated from the outside world.

My reconfigured model is inspired by the umbrella's connecting bones system and its surface. This umbrella follows the same priciple of umrella, an intergrated bones and surface.

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Skeleton, Standing

Cover, Stretch, Privacy Blinder, which is surrounded the head, not only cover the eyes, but also the ears, this is to make sure the noise would not disturb users.

A cushion is used to protect and support the neck A supporting part is to support most of the users gravity and convey to the outside skeleton.

A safety belt is used to tie users into the seat, to prevent them from falling while sleeping Reinforced skeleton

This one is directly learn from how umbrella works, with the same working principles. The sleeping pod can hide in the ceiling or above the lights.

In this case, the user is lying on the ground, it covers too much area.

This design is called standing sleeping pod, which is inspired by activities in tutorial. The design is combined with outside reinforced skeleton and other attachments that make user feel comfortable and create personal space.

The standing sleeping pod provides not much personal space because people are moving in the street, but the blinders would block one’s view towards outside and create a sense of protecton.

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2.0 DESIGN (Group Member: Hao, David & Ivy) 2.1 Intro 2.2 Digitalization & Design Proposal v.1 2.3 Precendent Research 2.4 Design Proposal v.2 2.5 Prototype v.1 & Effect Testing

The skin of this folding structure could provide a good personal space because no one can walk closed to the user.

In this case, the sleeping pod can install in libraries, classrooms etc. which is useful to create personal space when user wants to rest, and would not occupy much area when it is not used.

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2.1 Design development intro

2.2 Digitization & Design proposal v.1

From this part, we took decision to use David’s reconfigured Because my sketch designs have complex mechanism to build, we decided to abandon my sketch designs and focused on Ivy’s and David’s designs. We bring David’s reconfigured model to the next step, using the same mechanism to repeat the same element to create some more complex object.

Combine with David’s reconfigured model and Ivy’s sketch design, we came up with this initial digital model. It developed from Ivy’s design which has two large panels to cover head and body, with David’s model’s mechanism, the structure part can be folded and easy to wear and remove. This proposal has panels to cover the face and body, to secure the privacy easily.

As the personal space map shows, the front of body where people could see would have more personal space to avoid invading. The first design could limit the sight of users which can reduce the area of subjective personal space and also secure critical parts of body.

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2.3 Precedent research

Example: Burnham Pavillion, Zaha Hadid Architect Cocept: Repetition/ Fluidity/ Curvilinear/ Public/ Semi-closure

2.4 Design proposal v.2 Semi-closure After the precedent research, we came out this design, combined with the mechanism that David brought in and the semi-closure idea found in the precedent research.

The Burnham Pavilion creates a large open space with its unique curvilinear form, derived from the principle of using the skin and bone as structural members. This informal yet intricately bent-aluminum structure, is designed to be a recyclable installation that could be easily rebuilt and also promotes the idea of public discourse. The repeating use of curves gives the pavilion a more organic form.

We thought that precedent study we choose is similar to a shell. Developing the idea from shell, a closure and curvilinear structure was created. The sleeping pod can be folded and cover whole head inside when people were sleeping on the table. Its purpose is preventing the light and providing a sense of protection, privacy. And then, gas permeability was considered, what kind of the materials would be used for the skin part or just left gaps between structures?

The design uses the idea of repetition and fluidity. It can be folded in order to achieve the purpose of semi-closure. Even sleeping at the public place, this sleeping pod will provide user with sense of privacy.

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The design is based on the key word semi closure that we found in the precedent.

The user’s face can be semi-hidden or fully hidden by the device. Because it is installed on the wall, the view is blocked by the pieces of the sleeping pod, people are hard to see the user’s face when they walk by the user, which give a perspective of safety. Besides of this, people are also hard to see the user’s face from a distance. When they walk closer, their views would also be block by the device.

The user can decide the position of the sleeping pod, which means they could control the sleeping pod for semi-closure position or fully closure position.

As Scheurer & Stehling (2011) mention the idea of “abstraction” each individual would have different needs, so that on one hand, a design should have a general purpose for solving problems. On the other and, design needs to have the flexibility to suit different situation. Our first prototype aimed to have different purposes to use in different situation.

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2.4 Final Digital Design

2.5 Prototype v.1 & Testing Effects

For the final prototype design, we decided to add outer frames in order to make it more stable and stronger, the angles can also have the effect of keep others away from the user. We also added some part to cover the head in order to provide a more privacy sleeping area.

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Our first prototype just achieved part of goals that we wanted. First, the choice of the material is very weak, we used balsa wood as the material because when we tested it, we did feel comfortable of using it, but when it came to a larger scale, it was very weak. Moreover, the hand cut wooden pieces and the pin connected joints made the whole structure easy to fail.

Scheurer & Stehling (2011, p.75) say “the latter approach is chosen far too often, frequently resulting in awkward and inefficient solutions.�It is very importantn to test the prototype in order to make sure the material is suitable to use.

Second, it did secure the personal space, as the triangle shape connected parts could make people keep away from the sleeping pod, physically prevented invading. And it also reduced the subjective personal space area.

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3.1 Fabrication Intro

3.0 FABRICATION (Group Member: Hao, Ivy & David) 3.1 Fabrication Intro 3.2 Design Development & Fabrication of Prototype v2 3.3 Final Prototype Development + Optimisation 3.4 Final Digital Model 3.5 Fabrication Sequence 3.6 Assembly Drawing 3.7 Completed Sleeping Pod

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In Module 2 we tried to create a sleeping pod that could be used for multiple purposes, and fit a variety of sleeping positions. By focusing on too many potential applications we failed to accommodate the basic criteria, our design was scattered and confusing, its intentions were also unclear and as a result our design performed poorly. This time around we changed the fundamental principle behind our design and focused on one sleeping position with one purpose, to create a comfortable and safe sleeping pod. Using our understanding of a skin and bone system we adapted the complex geometry of our original prototype and reconfigured it into a structurally sleeping pod with layers of soft fabric and wool to maximize comfort. We changed the material to MDF, in order to find the potential of how to use a tough material to create a comfortable structure.

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3.2 Design Development & Fabrication of Prototype v2

Plan

Isometric

On one hand, digital design could help our design works. Using two dimensional fabrication techniques (Kolarevic 2003), we were able to laser cut over 200 individual pieces required for our sleeping pod. Without digitally modelling our design, we could not effectively calculate the size and form of each individual piece, plus the quantity. Digital modelling also helped us finalize our design, by allowing us to create several prototypes without wasting any raw materials, whilst giving us the ability to freely add, subtract and change the size of individual elements.

Elevation

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On the other hand, digital design has its limitation, for example in rhino, it cannot show how the structure react to the physical world, and this could make our structure fail. As Iwamoto (2009) states physical model remains its importance because it could show the realistic effect of the design.

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3.3 Final Prototype Development & Optimisation

One of the major components that we had to test was the joints. To see whether or not they could support the weight of the structure. As triangulation forms the most crucial part of the design as it is the only thing keeping the structure up. Getting the right angle, size and height of these triangles plus the friction between the joints would determine whether or not the structure would stand. Previously we connected the joints and segments together with a flimsy steel wire that couldnt hold the structure together.

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The overall effect of the sleeping pod is to provide a stable platform that is comfortable and safe for the user. In order to make make it stronger, we use MDF as the structure material. As every user is different in size we must cater to that requirement, in response we adjustable segments to the sides of the design. These teeth like structures form the base of the main structural triangles, by adjusting the height of these triangles we could change the height of the sleeping pod.

The skeletal structure of the sleeping pod is quite hollow, it contains a noticeable gap between each layer. So in order to create a sense of safety and security we added a layer of fabric stuffed with wool, essentially a pillow that would wrap around the users head blocking light and sound.

The soft nature of the pillows combined with the irregular form and mediocre soundproofing, creates the perfect illusion of safety for the user, allowing them to have a pleasant experience.

Digital fabrication has granted us the ability to efficiently and effectively create the numerous components needed for our sleeping pod. By digitally modelling the complex geometry of our design we were able to grasp a sense of the approximate size, form and function. This allowed us to freely adapt our design during the development and fabrication stages, helping us by highlighting the structural issues that plagued the project. Using tessellation to set out our individual components we were able to save time, money and material whilst using the laser cutter to carve out the entire project. The only remaining obstacle in the project was assembling the sleeping pod and attaching the fabric to its foundations.

Our design is made up of over 200 individual pieces, the pieces are grouped up in different categories for different sizes. We did not need to unroll our design because of the simplicity of each component, leaving the only complicatio assembly.

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3.6 Final Design

3.6 Fabrication Sequence

Plan

Elevation 2

ELEVATION OF RHINO MODEL ON BODY

Elevation 1

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Isometric

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3.6 Assembly Drawing Stable sheet

Shims

Layer 4-13

Stable sheet

Outer Frame

Tapes

Tubes

Layer 3 Layer 2

Inner Frame

Layer 1

Adjustable Supporting Teeth

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3.7 Completed Sleeping Pod

Detail about teeth

New sleeping posture was found during recording

With cushion

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How to change position of the sleeping pod

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I have learnt a lot of from DDF during this semester.

Our group members are major in architecture, as Marble (2008) mentions at the beginning of the article, architects have lost the skills of craft for a long time and just did abstract works and let builders and fabricators to bring their abstract idea into reality, this could be considered as risky for the design itself.

Marble (2008, pp.40-41) describes that through digital design, drawings and models are the blueprint of buildings. This is the same as the assembly drawing that I made, like showing how to build the prototype.

4.0 REFLECTION

Rifkin (2011, 117-118) describes that the new technology in 21th century has changed how business looks like, from concentrated crafting to distributed processing. New techniques allow DIYs and promote saving energy and material. Moreover, they make normal people possible to create their own product without deep professional knowledge. Rifkin says “3D printing of customized manufactured products will increasingly reduce logistics costs… The energy saved at every step of the digital manufacturing process, from reduction I materials used…” Not to mention 3D printing, other tools like CNC cuter and laser cut also provide a huge potential for people to create something not on the assembly line. From my experience this semester, I find it helpful to use software to design the sleeping pod. Using digital design would provide more opportunities to make great works than purely hand works. Compared with the model we did in M2 (by hand) and M3 (using laser cut), I found that new techniques can help improve the efficiency of design, fabrication, and assembly works.

For the design itself, the final design outcome is still not the ideal one. As Paul gave the opinion of our design during module 3, we lost the opportunity of using MDF, a hard material, to use different shape of pieces to create a “soft” & “comfortable” surface for people to sleep. I have mentioned this idea during M3, using different curved wooden pieces to create a surface which fit man’s face. However, due to many reasons I did not do it at the end, it was a pity for me and our group.

After this semester’s work, one thing that I learnt very important is teamwork. During M2, due to lack of communication, Ivy and I did most of the work, and David just did a little bit because we did not tell David what he supposed to do. After this lesson, we had a good communication between each other, shared the things we have done, and had more frequent team meeting. I could not rely on myself, but team members are very important to achieve success.

Another experience that I learnt is we should do the digital design works first, and then did the fabrication. Because our design’s elements were simple repeating, I made the laser cut file without making the digital design. The result was the physical prototype worked very bad. I should read the reading first and then do the jobs. I think this is some kind of “risk” that Marble (2008) talks about.

These experiences would benefit my future and career. Thanks.

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5.0 APPENDIX

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Bibliography Kolarevic, B 2003, Architecture in the digital age - design and manufacturing, Spon Press, London.

Marble, S 2008, ‘Imaging risk’, in P Bernstein & P Deamer (eds), Building the future: recasting labor in architecture, Princeton Architectural Press, pp 38-42.

Rifkin, J 2011, The third industrial revolution, Palgrave Macmillan, pp107-126.

Scheurer, F & Stehling, H 2011, Lost in parameter space? IAD: architectural design, Wiley, pp. 70-79.

Sommer, R 1969, Personal space: the behavioral basis of design, Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall.

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