Truss by Tom Harper

DIGITAL DESIGN + FABRICATION SM1, 2015 M1 JOURNAL - RULED SURFACE Thomas George Harper 695363 Tutor : Paul L

Measured Drawings Figure 001

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The diameter of the rod and the nails was measured using digital calipers. The average of the 18 rods was used as a standard due to the low differences. The Diameter was approximately 6.4mm

Render 001

The length of the rod was measured using a tape measure and was approximately 889 mm Given the high levels of symmetry and its geometric properties it was then modeled using CAD software to provide the realistic render and technical drawings. The geometric structure that the equivalent ruled surface is approximating is that of a hyperbola with the three dimensional equation: (X/A)^2 +(Y/B)^2 -(Z/C)^2 = 1 Given that A,B,C are constants and X,Y,Z are the axis variables. Although given the pivots and the truss structures range of movements the constants can subsequently take on a range of values until the surface begins to represent a volume akin to a cylinder. This occurs as the implied radius of one end reaches a minimum and is equal to that of the radius of the other end. It should be noted that the alignments of both ends with all ways be (40*2+20)=100 degrees out of phase. Or as a constant of 2.5 for 9 pairs of rods. In this case it is 0.27recuring As this constant approaches 0 or 1 the ruled shape approaches that of a cylinder. As this constant approaches 0.5 the ruled shape approaches that of a pair of cones pointing inwards with intersecting surface lines.

Analysis Figure 005 1:20

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This progression shows how the complex 3 dimensional geometry can displayed as a flat sur-face. It highlights the pivot system that gives the mesh its ability to change shape. It shows how the system possesses a high level of symmetry and how a collection simple rods with piv-ots can produce an intricate 3 dimensional lattice structure

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Digital Model

Render 001

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Sketch Model

The model was painstaking constructed largely by hand. It is based upon sketch number 1. Though out the process it became aware of many many faults and many things to investigate further. One such thing is the potential for making either 2 snaking loops that connect via string or wire, or 2 malleable planar disks. While the model did not perform as well as hoped it did provide a lot of valuable information and experience. One large aspect was if and how to terminate each line and how many layers to have.

Sketch Design #1

String - Flexible - Rotate - Square - Moveable

How does this respond to your personal space? By changing The shape, The material and The configuration it produces a space that gives you a volume that is yours. But is also flexible, it can pivot, it can twist and it can compress itself in to a flat near planar surface. To me it represents something that is midway between a room and a skin, To many people there are spaces of work or relaxation that they feel that they own and are comfortable in, be this a workshop or a room or somewhere else, it is a place that is as comfortable to the individual as their own skin. This gives the opportunity to expand that place to something portable and reconfigurable.

Sketch Design #2

Curve - Twist - Splayed - Bone -Sharp

The squared truss system is an expansion upon the reconfigured design but it is by no means all that different. The difference in this sketch arises from the systems form fitting function where the squares can be reconfigured to fit almost any logical non crossing closed loop. The twist and warping give it the final layer of complexity that exploits the visual appeal of mathematical curves. This is more of an idea upon a system that a final piece but it gives the rules upon which to expand and to explore.

Sketch Design #2 What is your idea? [Maximum 5 key words]

Sketch Design #3

Smooth - Folding - Offence - Geometric - Faux

The knife is possible the most unusual concept, that focuses not on providing a 3 dimensional literal skin and it does not provide a skinned space, but it focuses on making an individual in their own skin, providing both something visual appealing, something to fidget with but also a way to make them feel safe in their own skin. The great line of ‘the best form of defense is offence’ was a lot of the inspiration for this. For the initial design it focused on forming curved surfaces and exploiting the pivot system for its method of folding which hopefully would function, but there is no reason that this idea could not be expanded upon to provide a more mundane and predictable solution to the questions posed. Also it has a great capacity to fit in with the title of the subject, “digital design and fabrication” being a piece that is very easy but also very complicated to 3d or even just 2d model, and it also provides a wide ranges of things to explore in regards to fabrication, be that the processes used to make it or the materials used, anything from pine to polycarbonate could be used. Also it has the irony of being useful to the field of fabrication in regards to being a useful yet elegant tool.

Appendix