DIGITAL DESIGN + FABRICATION SM1, 2016 M3 JOURNAL - SLEEPING POD
Zhuyun Wang (Constance) & Pengenan Liu (Nina) (755396 & 652182) Michelle Group 9
Introduction
The design brief for this project is a sleeping pod for 1 person, with consideration of the personal space. The sleeping pod is expected to allow 1 person to take a powernap in the university campus. According to our research, leaning on the desk to sleep is very unhealthy because of high pressure for eyes, negative affect on breathing system and so on, we would like to create a sleeping pod to help people sleeping in a heathy way. Thus, for our design, we expect the user to sleep standing or sitting against the wall as shown in the picture. Also, we care about the comfort significantly, as a comfortable environment is essential for good-quality sleeping. In addition, the design will address the issue of suiting for different sizes of users.
Design development
For this prototype, we will develop it in different aspects
1.Materials - explore different types of materials to generate the best one in terms of functions and textures.
2. Size - adjust the form of the sleeping pod to suit for anyone
3.Joint - develop a joint that can be adjusted into different sizes.
4. Test effects in terms of comfort, blocking sound, locking light and supporting human bodies.
Week 7 - Prototype optimisation - Problem defined
During the Module two presentation, Nina and I figured out that the major problem of our design is that we though our project is suitable for anyone. However, when Paul tried to wear it, it seemed too small for Paul. Thus, we realize it is hard to match everyone’s size by fixing the project on the user’s shoulder.
In the right picture, it showed that we try to remove the parts that surround the user’s shoulder. But it is obvious that the sleeping pod cannot just sit on the shoulder steadily. So in the following states, we try to explore different forms of the design to generate a best version that the design is suitable for anyone in any size.
Prototype optimisation - Version one
In version one development, we tried to remove the initial part that fix on user’s shoulder, instead we just extend the end of the strip to act as a fixing belt that the user will attach it around the body. The advantage of this design is that the sleeping pod becomes very light weight and easy to use. The disadvantage is that the single belt is not stable enough in terms of self-supporting.
Prototype optimisation - Version two
In this version, we are inspired by the backpack that using two parallel strips to fix the whole sleeping pod on the shoulder. The advantage of the design is that sleeping pod is very stable sitting on the shoulder and the user can user wear it walking just like a backpack. However, the problem is that it is not easy to wear since the user is expected to wear the ‘backpack’ while put the head into the sleeping pod. Thus, further development is required.
Prototype optimisation - Version Three
In the third design, we decide to develop the second design further. There are two strips that is free at the bottom of the sleeping pod, that you will bring them at the back and intersect them. The strips are set at the front eventually. In general, it is a combination of ‘backpack’ and the initial design of belt. The advantage is that it is stable as well as easy to wear. However, the strips are too long and may be confusing for users.
Week 7 - Material Research
Three pictures shown above are the Acoustic Convoluted Foam, which should be installed on the wall for absorb noise in room.
Three pictures shown above are the convoluted foam, which is our final model’s material.
The colour and function are very suitable for the sleeping pod, but it is clear that there are some holes on foam.
Because of its softy, dimple on surface, and plasticity property, we choose it as our final model material.
And when we finished making a final model, the smell of it is very pungent.
A sharper end of wire could make it easily to insert into foam.
Three pictures shown left are the first material we try to use, called Foam Bolster.
However, due to the thickness and density of this form, it is hard to insert a wire inside.
And it also hard to fix the form in a certain shape.
Three pictures shown above are the Medium density foam, which is always used in the seat backs, cushions and mattresses.
Three pictures shown above are the Medium density foam, which is always used in the seat backs, cushions and mattresses.
This material is really soft, so that when we insert a wire inside, the foam in the hole stops the pricking hole.
This material is really soft, so that when we insert a wire inside, the foam in the hole stops the pricking hole.
Besides, the edges of form were broken easily that causes the no aesthetics.
Besides, the edges of form were broken easily that causes the no aesthetics.
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?
The free and advantage of the digital fabrication is that the designers can draw what they could build and built what they could draw. This is because that complex geometries are described precisely as NURBS curves and surfaces, and thus computationally possible also means that their construction is attained by means of CNC fabrication process. There are several digital fabrication processes available. 1. TWO-DIMENSIONAL FABRICATION: there are many cutting technologies such as plasma-arc, laser-beam, and water-jet, using as a moving cutting head or bed. DIfferent technologies will apply to different requirements in terms of thicknesses. For example, laser-cutters use a high-intensity focused beam of infrared light with highly pressurized gas to melt the materials and work only for the materials that can obsorb light energy. While water-jets can cut almost any material and thicker materials compared to laser-cutters. 2. SUBTRACTIVE FABRICATION: this method is about the removal of a specified volumn of material from solids using electro-, chemically- or mechnically - reductive process. Three types of milling can be identified: axially, surface or column. For CNC milling, a dedicated computer system controls functions over the movement of the machine tool with digital geometry imported instructions. The CNC instructions generates a ‘tool path’ to create the model as designed digitally. 3. ADDICTIVE FABRICATION: this process adds material in a layer-by-layer way to generate an incremental form. As a converse of subtractive fabrication, addictive fabrication’s characteristic is that the digital/solid model is sliced into two-dimensional layers. Also, information of each layer is delivered into the machine and the physical product is generated by incremental layers. 4. FORMATIVE FABRICATION: materials are shaped and restricted by heat or steam into desired shape through reshaping and deformation, which can be axially or surface constrained. For mental, it can be heated and bended in a bendable state. ASSEMBLY: assembly is the stage after all components are digitally fabricated. Each position of component can be determined precisely and then be fixed in its proper place.
Reading applied to design How does the fabrication process and strategy effect your second skin project? There are several digital fabricarion processes that can be used. Each fabrication process has its advantages and disadvantages, thus for specific design, we should consider which strategy can solve the question better. For two-dimensional fabrication, it is useful to apply when we require the project that has multiple components or pieces and assembled in a complex way. Also, the small components should be made in two-dimensional fabrication, and assembled manually. For subtractive fabrication, it is useful to apply to the project that is more like a solid with certain parts subtracted. The milling method can create negative spaces effectively and keep the positive space. For additive fabrication, it is effective to apply when the design is a collection of layers. Especially when the project is a group with incremental two-dimensional layers. For formative fabrication, it is key to check the features of the materials and understand whether the material is capable to be heat or steamed without uncoverable damages.
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? The meaning of digital fabrication is that architectural and material techniques documents architecturally innovative projects realized through digital design and constructive process. So the fabrication is not only for the 3D printing, laser cutting and some digital ways. The using of digital fabrication is to realize the final forms the design aesthetic. This reading introduced CAD/CAM,sectioning, tessellation, sectioning and folding. In this project we may mentioned the following ways to help us construction the model, and some of them we think we may use it in other project. Tessellation is a collection of pieces that fit together without gaps to form a plane or surface, that is more like our model to fix every pieces tigtly. It offers a way to build smooth form using sheet material. In a real building design, tellellation is to adding tiles, siding or brick on, but in this project, it is to covering a surface od strips. Computer places is an essential position in our designed sleeping pod, although our idea is fabrication by ourselves, we still need to use Rhino and indesign to realize the final form that we want to express to audiences. Folding is taht turns a flat surface into a three-dimensional one. Folding is not only for making form but also for creating structure with geometry. When fold one material, those material may get stiffness and rigidity can offering a self-supporting. That is what we want our model to use. Because it user wearing sleeping pod, they must bear the self-load from the product. Beside, folding is also a method to transform 2d to 3 dimensions, which has more potential to make suface itself a mofulated three-dimensional spatial contruct. Folding really provide a the great potential for variety because it is inherently capable of manifesting a wide range of forms. Inherent geometric and material parameters whitin the limitation of material property Our model is based on the desire to form an intergrated and generative design strategy from a biomimetic approach to architectural fabrication.
Reading applied to design Referencing from the lectures and readings, what is the implication of digital fabrication on your design ? There are several digital processes that we used in our project. Acturally our idea for this project is a little bit different, because we did not use many digital tool to help us design and construct the final model. However, like lwanmoto in 2009 expressed that this digital to physical model creation allow people to create a series of prototypes within a short period of time and are able to test different materials and make a different views of models and it is helpful for us to improve the designs.
 So in this project, we use Rhino software to construct the model via the prototype. Because we brought the material first, in this design, we use Rhino as a tool to help us test the model under different direction of light, and also to test the spiral effects of model.
Week 8 - Design development + fabrication of Prototype
Those photos show the physical protype version 2, that we change the main material of this model. This material called Acoustic Convoluted Foam, which should be installed on the wall for absorb noise in room. The reason why we choose this material is that it could realise the goal that we want this sleeping pod achieved. When we wear sleeping pod in public area, noise is always one of the problems, and we all want a quite space to have a rest.
Photographs when we wear it
However, there are some problems on this model. 1. gaps on between each strips 2. this model really has a pungent smell 3. when we glue it, it worked poorly (because this material has the higher density, so it is much harder that the material we used before.)
Week 8 - Prototype development - Process Joints The left photos show the first method that we create the adjustable strip on our shoulder. firstly, we cut a hole in the first two strips, then we found that it tends to be tore when we pull or drag it. Then, we cut the strips in another side into a smaller size for insert it inside the hole. Finally, fold it in the opposite direction.
The above pictures show the fixed method that we decide used in our final design model.
The above threes pictures show the second method that we want to fix strip on people’s shoulder and makes it flexibile for everyone.
because in this way it minimise the joints on foam, and also create enough space for different people.
It is workable for this model, however, as for the connection between hoop&loop with foam, we try to use glue, stick and sewing on foam. they all does not work due to the strong stick force between hoop and loop.
Week 9 - 2nd Skin final design
TOP VIEW OF RHINO MODEL ON BODY
ISOMETRIC OF RHINO MODEL ON BODY
ELEVATION OF RHINO MODEL ON BODY
Week 9 - Fabrication Sequence
2mm wire (12 m)
Generate a 10-meter strip with wire at the middle
Insert the wire into the form of strip
finish of 10-meter strip
Start to spiral strip around the model to form the sleeping pod
Attaching the last layer to the sleeping pod
Complete design of sleeping pod
Assembly Drawing
Testing light efffects in Rhino
This sleeping pod can cover the user’s face entirely, thus it offers a pleasant environment for sleeping because of blocking the light.
2nd Skin
Characteristics of the final sleeping pod: 1. Supporting human body - hidden pillow inside 2. Blocking the sound - dimples on the surface 3. Blocking the light - covering the user’s face entirely 4. Comfort - soft materials 5. Suitable for users in different sizes - bendable fixing strips 6. Personal space - boundary around body 7. Security for walking - visible when looking down (gap in between)
TESTING AFFECTS
lean against the glass with blocking sound and light
Sitting in public space with security and comfort provided
lean against the wall with blocking sound and light
Feeling comfot to sleep in public space
sleeping with standing in study area
sleeping with standing in asile
Side against wall
Using phone when wearing the sleeping pod