DIGITAL DESIGN + FABRICATION SM1, 2016 M1 JOURNAL - Expandable folder Hoi Man (Priscilla) Kwok
752464 Michelle James - Seminar 1
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Measured Drawings The expandable folder is carefully observed to obtain the accurate measured drawings. Instead of taking a photograph of the object and tracing it, measuring tapes and rulers are used to directly measure the folder to avoid the possible inaccuracy of dimensions.
From the top view, the flap appears to be slighted curved instead of flat, because of the button that pulls the flap towards the folder itself.
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Scale: 1:2
Measurements in millimeter
Not only are the height and width of each tab measured precisely, but also the distance between each tabs so that they distribute on evenly.
A photograph is taken to show how the folder appears when it is opened at an normal angle. The perspective view of the object can then be drawn by measuring the approximate angle of the folder
Scale: 1:2
Measurements in millimeter 3
Analysis
fig.1
fig.2
fig.3
The foldable side of the folder consists of 14 identical rectangles with dimension of 125mm x 15mm, which are connected to one another at the long edge. When the folder is closed but not squeezed, each rectangle is closely aligned, almost overlapped with one another. This gives the folder an overall thickness of 30mm (fig.1). When take apart and have the folder fully expanded, the side appears to be a rectangle with width of 210mm and the height reminds unchanged (fig.3). Since the bottom end is attached to the front and back piece of the folder, it is restricted to be opened at an angle of less than 75 degrees (fig.4).
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fig.4
The folder can be opened to the maximum of approximate 75 degrees at the maximum. To open the folder, it indicates increasing the angle at the joint of edges. When the folder is closed, the angles between each joint is less then 5 degrees, by increasing the angles to 75 degrees at largest, distances between each inner pocket increase and they are further apart.
Not to scale
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Digital Model - Process
Staring from the origin, create multiple tilted rectangles with gradually larger angles.
Adjust the positions of rectangles to create gaps between each of them. Turn on Osnap to ensure lines drawn to connect rectangles are at the end of lines.
After connecting the two arcs with straight lines, use the tool “Sweep 2 rails”, select the two long rails and the arcs to result in the curved plane. Draw a rectangle and rotate it so the edge joins with the curved plane to form the flap.
Draw an ellipse and duplicate it, move one of them until they are 35mm apart, draw two parallel lines to join the ends.
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Use tool “corner points” to join the four corners of the rectangles and create planes. Create the inner pockets by same way. Zoom in to ensure lines are joined properly to the end point of planes.
Create an arc and rotate it so that one end of the arc joins with the end point of the bottom plane. Draw two parallel lines joining the arcs.
Create the button by first drawing a circle with diameter of 5mm, then a smaller one with the same centre and diameter of 3mm. Extrude smaller curve to 1mm in height and larger on to 3mm. Create planes with the tool “surface from planar curves”. Create the other half with similar method but reverse dimension.
Use the tool “Sweep 2 rails” to create the top and bottom surfaces and result in the tab.
Rotate the tab and join it with the pocket. Duplicate and repeat the step to all the five pockets.
Make sure the edge of tabs are joined to the edge of pockets. Render with various transparency and reflectivity.
Top view
Front view
RHS view
Not to scale
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Elevation
The cross sections of either sides of the folder are jagged. The profile gradually increases from the bottom to the top in scale but remains the same shape. All the five pockets are same in shape and size, but tilted at a slightly different angle.
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Not to scale
Sketch Model Inspired by the jagged cross section of the side of folder, I have two strips of paper overlapped with one another folded. They are connected on both and long and short edges to enable twisting and distortion.
Where the two strips overlap with each other there is an rectangle. Its scale various but remains the same proportion.
The structure works in creating personal space for individuals. The same profile can be repeated in various scales to suit different body parts in order to create distance between the users and other disturbance.
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Sketch Design #1
Shell/ Expandable/ interaction The jagged sections are in small scale at where the users put their heads, which make it more adjustable and flexible, hence increases the support for the neck and head and therefore provides comfort.
The expandable part on top, as indicated by blue line, can be folded for more direct sunlight. Curves can also be adjusted to fit individuals’ need.
How does this respond to your personal space? When the structure is fully closed, it appears to be a shell that separate the user within it and the outside disturbance. Its curved profile implies the sense of protection as well as effectively avoid interruption. 10
Since the major function of the structure is a sleeping pod, emphasis
Sketch Design #2
Floating/ penetration/ movement This structure consists of multiple rectangular straps which are joined on top and bottom. The metal ring in the middle gives the diamond shape to the structure but more importantly, enables users to adjust the position of each strap and therefore the amount of light in and where it shines on.
There are two holes on each strap for the metal ring to go through and allows movement.
How does this respond to your personal space? The amount of personal space a person needs various depending on different individuals. This design focuses on allowing users to determine their personal space - the amount needed, the way presented and what to avoid. Since the straps are movable, the structure can be fully closed or opened, users are therefore allowed to entirely control their privacy.
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Sketch Design #3
Rigidity/hiding/foldable/connection
Specifying the length of different parts of the structure, it can be folded and stacked properly, which allows easier storage and access.
The movable joints which connect the wooden strips allow it to be folded and stored easily. How does this respond to your personal space? The design puts emphasis on rigidity and movable joints. Unlike the previous design, it is portable and easy to store since the it is to be used in the university. It encourages users to take a short break at where they are, either inside room or outdoor, with no interruption. 12
Appendix
0206 Help info
0208 Object Properties
0303 Copy
Select “surface” > “Sweep 2 rails”. Click on both long edges followed by the two short curves, press enter so that a curved surface appears.
In the “properties” section, not only can the objects be renamed and moved to a different layers, they can also be coloured in the “material” section, where the levels of gloss, reflectivity and transparency can be changed.
Click “polar array” and select the objects to copy from, set the center of the array and put in the number of items, press enter to get copies of the objects radiated from the center.
0403 CircleEllipsePolygon
0405 Freeform Curves
0601 SurFromPlanarCrvs
Circles can be created by inserting radius or diameter. The tool “circle around curve” enables circles to be drawn with the center at the curve. Simply select the curve and drag or insert diameter of the circle.
Among the four freeform curves, the handle curve appears to be the easiest for me due to the knowledge of drawing lines in Illustrator. By clicking “ExtrudeCrv”, the curves becomes 3dimensional; its shape can be changed by dragging the control point to form an abstract structure.
First start by drawing random curve lines intersecting each other. “Trim” the excess parts and “join” the rest together to form a closed curve. Once a closed curve is created, select it and click “Planar curves” to give it a surface.
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0602 EtrudeCrvs
0603 Revolve_Rail Revolve
0604 1RailSweep
0605 2RailSweep
Start by having a closed curve drawn flat on the grid. Draw another curve line from any point of the closed curve from side view, select “Surface” > “EtrudeCrvs” > “Along Crvs” to extrude the base curve along the curve line.
Draw a rectangle parallel to the z-axis as guide. Use “Control curve” to construct the cross section of a glass, click “Revolve” and select the profile.
Draw a curve connecting the top and bottom shapes, click “Sweep 1 rail” and select the curve, followed by the cross section curves to obtain the poly-surface.
Simply by clicking “Sweep 2 rails” and selecting both the long rails and cross sections, curved plane can be created. The control points on the surface allow it to be reshaped in various way. By clicking “Transform” > “XYZ Coordinates”, it restricts the direction when dragging the control points and therefore prevents distortion.
0605 2RailSweep
0609 Pipe
Loft
The tool “Union” can be used to make two separate objects united. First make the two objects closed by clicking “Solid” > “Cap Planar Holes” and selecting the objects to be capped. Then select both objects and click “Union” to make them one.
“Pipe” can be used on intersecting objects. Go to “Curve” > “Curve from Objects” > “Intersection” to make the cylinder intersection with the sphere, leave the sphere with a circle on its surface by deleting the excess part of cylinder, then use “Pipe” and create circle cross sections with various diameters.
Start by drawing multiple curves with “interpolate point”, stack them together with gaps in between ad click “loft”. Select the curves from bottom to top, be aware of where to click on the curve because it will affect the result. Make sure the white arrows are all pointed to the same direction to prevent twisting. If it appears twisted over, click “Align Curve” to change the direction.
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