DIGITAL DESIGN + FABRICATION SM1, 2016 SECTION & PROFILE - DREAMING SNAIL Xiaocheng WEI (Oriana) Michelle Emma James
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Contents: 1.0 Ideation 1.1 Object 1.2 Object + System Analysis1.2 Volume: 1.3 Sketch design proposal 2.0 Design 2.1 Design development intro 2.2 Digitization + Design proposal v.1 2.3 Precedent research 2.4 Design proposal v.2 2.5 Prototype v.1+ Testing Effects 3.0 Fabrication 3.1 Fabrication intro 3.2 Design development & Fabrication of prototype v2 3.3 Design development & Fabrication of prototype v3 3.4 Final Prototype development + optimisation 3.5 Final Digital model 3.6 Fabrication sequence 3.7 Assembly Drawing 3.8 Completed 2nd Skin
4.0 Reflection. 5.0 Appendix: 5.1 Credit 5.2 Bibliography
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0.0 Introduction DESIGN BRIEF: SECONDARY SKIN The second skin is wearable and accommodates the body. The skin must be a three dimensional volume that will explore, measure, and negotiate the boundary of personal space.
SLEEPING POD FOR ONE PERSON A powernap can increase brain function and productivity. In order to make students more productive, we are asking to design a sleeping pod for one person. The pod will allow one person to take a powernap in the university campus; either at the desk, library or student union house. (LECTURE ONE)
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1.0 IDEATION
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M1
IDEATION 1.1 OBJECT
EGG CUTTER Measured Drawings
For the measured drawing of egg cutter, 3 measuring methods are used: - photocopying - tape measuring - taking the object apart into components. (Lecture one)
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Due to the characteristics of the egg cutter, which is small flat and separable, scale 1:1 would be suitable for its measured drawings. Photocopy would be a convenient and accurate way to produce plan drawings, especially for 1:1 scale. The plan is traced out by layering up tracing paper on top of the photocopy. The elevation drawings are produced with the help of tape. Photocopy is not suitable in this case, due to the curvy shape of the egg cutter. Blades were taken apart to be measured. It is a bit tricky because most of the edges are not straight and need to be carefully measured using tape.
M1
IDEATION 1.1 OBJECT
EGG CUTTER DIFITAL MODELLING The rhino model is build up from the measured drawings. The first step is to import the plan drawing into rhino and trace it out. The digital modelling process is the flat to 3 dimensional transition. The key thing is to consider the relationship between surface and solid, and the “extrude” command was mostly used in this case. Also the egg cutter is the symmetrical object, the “mirror” command is been used to simplify the modelling process. During digital modelling, it helps us to better understand the way the object works and the material system.
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M1
IDEATION 1.2 OBJECT & SYSTEM ANALYSIS
MATERIAL SYSTEM: PROFILE AND SECTION
Material
“The matter form which a thing is or can be made”
System
“A set of things woking together as parts of a mechanism, or an interconnecting network; a complex whole” (Lecture two)
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M1
IDEATION 1.2 OBJECT & SYSTEM ANALYSIS
MEASURE AND AYALYSIS The egg cutter seat is curve down like a bowl, which is fit with the egg shape, and it could be consider as the profile. And the blades could create the sections. As showing in the drawing, the blades would perfectly seat into the slots, which are designed to fit 3 different blades system at the same time. This characteristic of the egg cutter make it to be the material system of profile and section. When the blade seat into the egg cutter base, they interlock with each other and it becomes a rigid system. And the special design of the egg cutter base, which the slots can fit the 3 different shape of the blade systems. It could be used as a potential develop possibility in the later design.
Use the dash lines to demonstrate the position of different cutting points when blades seat into the cutter seat. 3 blade systems are drawn one on top of the other to give a sense of layering and its relationship with the cutter seat. The seat and the blade will interlock together .
For the thickness of the cutter seat base, it could be produced by the figures measured externally and internally (subtract internal from external).
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M1
IDEATION 1.3 VOLUME RE-CONFIGURE OBJECT
The ideas of interlocking and multi way of assembling are taking from the egg cutter. The reconfigure object show these two idea in a waffle grid system. Although the waffle grid system will be rigid once it interlocks, it shows its flexibility by different ways of assembling. All the small elements can be assembled in the system at the same time or work as its own, which is similar as the three blade system of the egg cutter.
The images on the left show how different small elements work as their own to create different form of waffle grid system. It could also be assembled all together at the same time (images on the right).
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M1 VOLUME “the amount of space that a substance or object occupies, or that is enclosed within a container”
IDEATION 1.3 VOLUME
According to Sommer (1969), personal space “refers to an area with invisible boundaries surrounding a person’s body into which intruders may not come”. So the personal space can also be understand as a portable territory. The personal space is not a rigid form of space. It is different from different genders, different cultures, different times and different environments.
(Oxford Dictonary)
PERSONAL SPACE “the physical space immediately surrounding someone, into which encroachment can feel threatening or uncomfortable” (Oxford Dictonary)
Personal space is changing: “ A man in a crowd requires at least 2 square feet -the size of the man -crowed is dense or loose -culturally acquired daylight phenomenon -relationship among the group -what they are doing/ emotions -different position of the person (front/back/side) -introverts keep people at a greater conversational distance than extroverts (Sommer, 1969) “
For my own understating, personal space could be translated as a space for defense. To create a volume as a second skin, it should have a boundary to declare the privacy.
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M1
IDEATION 1.4 SKETCH DESIGN PROPOSAL
SCREENING/SEMI-OPEN/ANGLE
SUPPORT/DENSITY/LAYERS/ERGONOMIC
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The waffle grid system is consisted of thick large strips as the main support, which is connecting to the back of the chair. Also the profile of the lager strips are ergonomic, which can provide a comfortable sleeping position while siting.
The vertical strips are extended create a semi open volume. And these ver horizontal element to provide shading.
The personal space is provide by the thinner horizontal strips, which is wrapping around the face to provide the boundary of personal space. The screening could block the sight of the public to look in, so the user would have a secure feeling while sleeping. The density of the thinner strip is not identical. The denser the strips are, the more privacy the user get.
The horizontal screening are intersected angle can make the screening block the li
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M1 /JOINTS
d from the base to the top and curve in to rtical strips are act as the support for the thinner
d with the supporting element in an angle. This ight from the top.
IDEATION 1.4 SKETCH DESIGN PROPOSAL
MOVEABLE/RETATION/INTERLOCKING/FLAXIBILITY
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The design of this sleeping pod is the ability to expand and collapse by rotating. It is very flexible since the user can design how enclosed they want to be by rotating. The only thing they need to do is to interlock the strips with the cylinder (with notches on it). And it could be adjusted with different sleeping position. The personal space is responded by the shapes of the panels, these profile form the volume of person space. Since the personal space would be different between people, the adjustability in this design could satisfied their different needs.
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300 years of industrial design : function, form, technique, 1700-2000 / Adrian Heath, Ditte Heath, Aage Lund Jensen. New York: Watson Guptill
M1 REFLECTION
In this module, we are given an object which is an egg cutter as the starting point of sleeping pod design. It is an interesting to start a design from an object which seems to totally irrelevant to the final product. We are ask to measure the object and create plan, section and elevation drawing. When I creating the section drawing, I was inspired by Heath (et al, 2000) in the graphic recording of hollow ware, that I can measure the thickness of the object by recording points at the vertical plane. It is a process of making an object flat.
We also be introduce to use a software called rhino to digital model out the egg cutter. Different from the measure drawing, it is the process of making 2D to a 3D solid. In the reading (Cheng, 2008) and the video tutorial, I have learn some basic command in rhino and by knowing these command I am able to think in a “rhino modelling” way when I built the egg cutter model. For example, by knowing the command of “mirror”, I can only build up half of the model and then mirror it to get the other half since my object is symmetrical. Also, as introducing in the reading, rendering made my final digital model look more realistic and aesthetic.
During the measure process and digital modelling, I got a better understanding of section and profile material system. However, I found that it is hard to create a sleeping pod out of waffle grid system and by restricting of this, my sketch design are not very interesting. But my sketch design are closely fulfilling with the personal space and some of the idea have been taken into the later design. Sommer (1969) talked in the reading about personal space, He mention that personal space could be various between different person, different environments and cultures. In consider with this understand of personal space, I emphasised in making my design with the characteristic of adaptability.
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2.0 DESIGN Xiaocheng WEI (Oriana) Allison Webber
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M2
DESIGN 2.1 DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
DESIGN CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT Screening light became an important idea for us, these first few designs using interlocking waffle grid structures to create a solid, yet open and light space due to the gaps in the structure. Moreover, we focussed on the direction of light, and having angled slots to let light in without people being able to see the user, retaining their sense of privacy.
sketch design (Webber, 2016)
Creating an adaptable design was also important , as different people want different levels of privacy. To achieve this, the designs below can be adapted to create various levels of privacy, having removable or extendable pieces to cover users.
KEY CONCEPT INTERLOCKING/ WAFFLE GRID/ SCREENING/ ADAPTABILITY/ ROTATION
sketch model (Webber, 2016)
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sketch designs
The main focus of out initial sketch model was to show how different interlocking pieces could interact. While this design cannot be used as a sleeping pod, the way the pieces interact can be used in many ways, such as creating adaptable designs where one side could be removed, or through waffle grids.
M2
FORM 1
FORM 2
FORM 3
The main feature of this initial sleeping pod proposal is adaptability. The curvy shapes of the strips is designed in consideration of the body shape. And two sizes of the curvy strips interlock with each other, which could also provide the transformation in form. User can change the form of sleeping pod by rotating the strips and lock them in place. In considering personal space, form 2 would provide the most personal space because it provide a screening overhang on top of the head. However, form 3 is more open and spread out in compare with form 1 and 2, which are curve in. The adaptability and flexibility could be showed in providing deferent levels of the personal space by change the shapes.
IDEATION 2.2 DIGITIZATION + DESIGN PROPOSAL V1
Meanwhile, this proposal would not be further develop in the future fabrication due to its low constructability in terms of scale and materialism. We have done some material research and tested out some material like foam and felt. It is found that these materials are not able to provide enough support to the whole structure. And if we increase the density of the foam or felt, which would satisfied the ability of supporting, but it would scarified the comfort while sleeping. As a result, the form of this proposal was abandoned but the idea of the adaptability of personal space and the interlocking junction design would be kept in the later design.
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M2
DESIGN 2.3 PRECEDENT RESEARCH
C Space Pavillion Alan Dempsey & Alvin Huang
notches assembly analysis
waffle grid system and junctions
concept of the precedent: waffled/ curved/ ergonomic/ screened/ interlocking
The C-Space pavilion is an open space made from solid timber sheets, cut into curved pieces forming a waffle grid structure. Furthermore, the curved panels makes the pavilion ergonomic to sit on. Because of the waffle grid structure, the pavilion is an excellent example of section and profile design, being composed of flat sections to form the ‘C’ shape. Although this the design is solid, light screens through the gaps in the structure, and has a feeling of openness.
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M2
DESIGN 2.4 DESIGN PROPOSALS V2
DESIGN PROPOSAL V2.1
For this design, we were inspired by the precedent’s use of a waffle grid structure, and wanted to trial using different materials for the different sections. Here, we decided to use a mixture of wood and foam, the piece that curves around the neck having vertical foam blocks interlocking with a rigid wooden panel, making it so the user could move their neck in any direction, and still be comfortable. Furthermore, the user’s head is protected by an extendable canopy, also made of the waffle grid structure. Since it is collapsible, the user can make the sleeping pod either more or less private, being able to push it back completely for an open space, or completely covering their face to feel safe.
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M2
DESIGN 2.4 DESIGN PROPOSALS V2
DESIGN PROPOSAL V2.2
(Webber, 2016)
This design was also inspired by the precedent, as well as exploring how soft and hard materials could be used in a panel and fold structure. Around the neck and shoulders, rigid wooden panels interlock with foam, enabling the user to tilt their head back or to the side, the rigid pieces adding structure, yet the foam cushioning their head and making them comfortable. This design also connects to a chair, the back of the structure going around to the back of the chair, keeping it in place. A panel also goes up and covers the user’s face, being made with a waffle grid to enable light to screen through, retaining the user’s privacy by making it so their face is hidden, yet not completely dark. The panel’s height is also adjustable, using a hinge like structure to allow for taller users, or those who do not want total privacy.
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(Webber, 2016)
M2
DESIGN 2.4 DESIGN PROPOSALS V2
DESIGN PROPOSAL V2.3
This design proposal is the combination of the version 2.1 and version 2.2. As respond with the precedent research as well as the material system, the main form of the design is the waffle grid system, which is the soft material (foam) intersect with the hard material (wood strips) at the neck part; for the head part, small panel pieces intersect with the wood frame with different densities and angles to provide screening. The head part and the neck part are interlocking by notches. In order to respond with the adaptability of personal space, the head part is designed to rotate around the neck base and interlock with the neck base by differently located notches. The density of screening are changing while rotating, so different levels of personal space could be addressed. The neck part is the main structure supporting the human body. Ergonomic streamlining of the wood plane and varies density of the foam provide comfort to the users.
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M2
DESIGN 2.4 DESIGN PROPOSALS V2
DESIGN PROPOSAL V2.3 --- ADJUSTABILITY & PERSONAL SPACE
The whole head part can be rotated around, so the users can adjust the density of screening depending on their need of personal space.
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M2
DESIGN 2.4 DESIGN PROPOSALS V2
DESIGN PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT Waffle grid is the typical profile and section material system. The version 2.3 took the section shapes of the version 2.2 to form the basic frame of the waffle grid, and added the screening intersecting with the basic frame. The collapsible frame system of the version 2.1 are not being taken forwards due to the rigid characteristic of interlocking junction. Rotating of the head frame would perform better than collapsing/expanding in term of interlocking connection. The idea of the hard material and soft material intersecting is kept in the version 2.3. It could provide the user a comfortable sleeping experience since the foam is soft, but also could support the head weight by the wood frame. According to the lecture five, human head weight are around 8 to 10 kg, so it is necessary to interlock the foam with the supported wood frame. Also the densities of the foam are different in order to adjust different sleeping position (head).
Influenced by the precedent, the head part are using screening to block the light and casting shadow by angled intersection of the small panel pieces and wood frame. It could provide a darker internal environment for the user to nap without blocking the connection with the external environment. (Webber, 2016)
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M2
DESIGN 2.5 PROTOTYPE V1 + TESTING EFFECT
PROTOTYPE V.1
We have used different densities of foam to make it more comfortable for the user. For example, the sections at the back of the neck use harder, firmer foam to stop the user putting their head too far back and getting neck cramps upon waking up. However, softer foam is used around the shoulders to enable the user to tilt their head towards their shoulders and lean comfortably.
When we assembled the head frame, we forgot to cut an opening on the base of the neck frame, so the head frames were not be able to go in and rotate around. The opening should only locate on the shoulder base instead of the head frame, since it would affect the interlocking performance of the head frame.
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M2
DESIGN 2.5 PROTOTYPE V1+ TESTING EFFECT
TESTING EFFECT
testing the relationship between comfort and the distace of neck and foam
higr density foam low density foam
sense of scale as second skin
testing the relationship between comfort and density of foam
From the testing effect of this prototype, we found out that the shape of the foam is not ergonomic enough, which caused the discomfort of the neck by leaning too much to the back/ side. It is because the distance between the foam and neck is far away. Also, the different densities of the foam would have a great influence in the user experience in relation with the comfort.
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Architecture in the Digital Age - Design + Manufacturing/ Branko Kolarevic, Spon Press, London c2003
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M2 REFLECTION
Robert Sommer (1969) define that personal space is one’s security zone, and the zone would be different due to culture, gender, environment. So the size of the personal space is various between person to person. In order to provide various size of personal space, we focused in adaptability and flexibility in our sleeping pod design. According to the precedent research, we decided to use the waffle grid system as our main form. However, a traditional waffled grid system would be restricted by its rigid connection so we have tried different ways to explore the possibility of making it flexible to cooperate with various level of personal space. In order to make a rigid waffle grid movable, we divided the whole sleeping pod into two parts: the head part and the neck part. The head part could rotate along the neck part, so the screening with different density could provide different levels of privacy.
Another aspects we need to consider is the adaptability with different body shapes of users. Although the interlocking connection of waffle grid is rigid, we think the other way around by intersecting a soft material in a hard material. The elastic of the foam could make the rigid waffle grid movable without moving the connection so the neck part can move vertically along the foam axial. In the reading of lost in parameter space (Scheurer & Stehling, 2011), it talks about the abstraction and reduction in the development of the design. It has influenced our design from m1 to m2 design. In terms of abstraction, we abstracted some key term from the object and our sketch model, and then combined some key ideas and took it into our further design. The 3 types of egg cutter blades were abstract to the sleeping pod design as adaptability. And the design of rotation of head frame is also showing the idea of reduction.
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3.0 FABRICATION Xiaocheng WEI (Oriana) Allison Webber
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M3
FABRICATION 3.1 FABRICATION INTRODUCTION
INITIAL DESIGN & PROTOTYPE V.1
Our M2 design focussed on making an adaptable structure with interlocking pieces, using light screening to create a sense of privacy. Using section and profile structuring to create various densities to screen light through,we designed it to be possible for the user to be hidden to others, or able to make it so they can be seen. Moreover, we used foam interlocking with wood to create a comfortable and supportive base that the user could use to rest. However, after m2 the screening and balancing of the object needed to be revised to be more practical to fabricate. NEEDED IMPROVEMENT: - the shape of the neck frame should be more ergonmic - curve down to shoulder - rethink about the material which is connected to the foam
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FABRICATION 3.2-1 DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT OF TEH SHOUDER PART
In respond with the feedback of M2, the foam shape should be changed to make it more ergonomic. Also, we are suggested to add more layers in the neck part to interlock with the foam, in order to produce more support for the back of the neck. Changing the depth and the height of the foam block to make it more ergonomic. Also the density of the foam may influence the user experience.
EVA foam and thermal plastic have been considered as the additional shoulder part material, which could be reformed the shape after heating.
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FABRICATION 3.2-1 DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT OF INTERLOCKING CONNECTION
head frame version 1 the small noches will let the frame lock into place
head frame version 2
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head frame version 3 There are 2 sets of notches, so the user can lock the screening closer or further away from their face.
head frame version 3 Only the head frame in the middle will notch into the neck base. Since all the head frames are connected with the back plywood screening, only the middle will need to notch into the neck base, the other frames will also stay in place.
M3
FABRICATION 3.2-1 DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT OF INTERLOCKING CONNECTION AND ANALYSIS
process of head frame moving outwards
the new notches of the neck base frame process of head frame moving inwards
The head frame in the middle notch into the neck base inwards. Since all the head frames are grouped by the back screen, it would provide more personal space in the front. With the same rule, when the head frame moving outwards, the personal space would reduce.
the head frame could rotate around the neck base frame
However, this idea was failed in the actual fabrication process due to the selection of the material and the distance between notches.
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FABRICATION 3.2-1 DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT OF SCREENING AND HEAD FRAME This change of the angle of screening are closely related with the rhino digital model. When we designing the screening angle, we thought it would provide enough shade for the interior. However, when I using the command of “render” with the setting of spotlight, it would produce the view of how the screening preform in actual environment. It showing me the effect of the screening shading without actually producing the physical prototype. It make our fabrication process more practical and efficient.
IN RELATION WITH THE DIGITAL DESIGN AND FABRICATION
double frame
the top screening pieces have changed its angel and depth to be better coop with the light from top.
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it would be very easy for us to keep in mind that in the actual fabrication, the material would have its thickness. So one frame for two side of screening will not be possible in actual life. So the head frame have been doubled to make sure the notches would work without influencing its structural function.
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FABRICATION 3.2-1 DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
PHYSICAL PROTOTYPE AND DIGITAL MODEL
We are trying to use formative fabrication to reshaping the materials into wated shape by applying heat (Kolarevic, 2003). We have added EVA foam at the bottom of the neck structure. And the EVA foam stay in a bending shape after heating up. However, as the image of the bottom showing, it will not staying in the ergonomic shape after few days after. It may be caused by not being heated enough by just using hair drier.
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M3
FABRICATION 3.3 PROTOTYPE V.3
we also tried seeing how polypropelyne would perform as the neck supports. While it did hold together, it was a bit too thin, and moved under pressure.
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FABRICATION 3.4 FINAL PROTOTYPE
This change in the design would be very comfortable and fit all body types since it is rope. And the users can adjust their sleeping positions (arms).
-The height and depth of the foam block. -The front foam structure
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FABRICATION 3.4 FINAL PROTOTYPE DEVELOPMENT & OPTIMISATION
PROTOTYPE OPTIMISATION
here, we tried to paint the foam white in order to have a unified appearance to our design, However, the fabric paint would not dry, and reallyweighed down the foam. Next we tried spray paint, and while this did dry, it became crunchy and hard. Finally, we used hot glue to cover the foam, which made it even softer and more comfortable.
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M3
FABRICATION 3.4 FINAL PROTOTYPE DEVELOPMENT & OPTIMISATION
PROTOTYPE OPTIMISATION We also painted the frames and sceening, initially trying to use acylic paint. However, his did not dry smooth, and was time consuming. Instead, we used white spray paint for a even finish.
For the supporting frame, we tried to use plywood first. However, this broke when we picked it up. To fix this, we re printed it in perspex, although this proved even worse, breaking even more frequently. To temporarily fix this, we reinforced the perspex layer with the wood layer, as well as duct tape.
Here, we tried testng different densities of foam. The white foam is the least dense, and we tried using this for the back of the head. however, it was too soft, and if we were to put our heads back, it would be uncomfortable. We also tried using the denser green and yellow foam pieces on the sides of the head, but these were too hand for it to be possible to tilt our heads to one side. However, using the green foam at the back and the white foam at the front worked very well.
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FABRICATION 3.5 FINAL DIGITAL MODEL
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FABRICATION 3.6 ASSEMBLY DRAWING
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FABRICATION 3.7 FRABRICATION SEQUENCE
constructing the head part: laser cutter, card cutter, spray paint
constructing the neck part: hot wire cutter, hot glue gun
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M3
FABRICATION 3.7 FABRICATION SEQUENCE
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FABRICATION 3.8 COMPLETED 2ND SKIN
M3
FABRICATION 3.8 COMPLETED 2ND SKIN
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FABRICATION 3.8 COMPLETED 2ND SKIN
the front screen effects
higher screening density could block the sight from exterinal and providing higher level of privicy at the right of the front screen, people from exterinal could headly seeing the user’s face and it could provide more personal space the screening with lower density gives the user a more open feeling while they are in teh sleeping pod
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FABRICATION 3.8 COMPLETED 2ND SKIN
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FABRICATION 3.9 FINAL PROTOTYPE WITH FINAL OPTIMISATION
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FABRICATION 3.9 FINAL PROTOTYPE WITH FINAL OPTIMISATION
According to the feedback of M3, the hanging foam at the front have been taken off. Also, in oder to let the head part rotate more easily while using, the material of the neck base have been chaged. We change the plywood to cardboard and 2 layers of prolypropykene. The thickness of the neck base have been redused so the head is able to motate smoothly. Moreover, the surface of the prolypropylene is less rougher and it also helps the head frame move easily.
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M3
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FABRICATION 3.9 FINAL PROTOTYPE ON BODY
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FABRICATION 3.9 FINAL PROTOTYPE ON BODY
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FABRICATION REFLECTION
Digital Fabrications: architectural + material techniques/Lisa Iwamoto. New York: Princeton Architectural Press c2009
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This laser cut file templet showing the final step of lettng a degital design come up to the actual life. One of the key things is when we are setting up the templet, we should be setting up the right outline as the size of the mterial sheets.
M3
FABRICATION 3.8 COMPLETED 2ND SKIN
M3 REFLECTION
In the m3 fabrication process, we put our foot from the design stage to the actual fabrication. And in this stage, we found the most challenging point is finding the suitable material to bring our design actually work. The material of the neck base raised the most problem in our fabrication and it shows the deficiency of the digital modelling. When we were building the neck base and all the head frames and screenings in the digital model, they were all “floating� and the gravity did not show in the digital model. Because of this, it is easy neglect the constructability of the design of form and performance of the material proprieties. For example, when I outline the shape of the neck base, I did not lay emphasis on the structural performance on it but just outline a shape, which looked like it would work in the digital model. The digital model does not give us a sense of the weight and gravity, so when it come to the actual fabrication stage, problems occurred. The width of the neck bask is too short and the notches on the neck are too close together, so the neck base broke numbers of times even we had changed different materials like plywood and perspex. Also due to the friction of the plywood and fragility of the perspex, the head frames are not be able to rotate and support the head part structure. And we only realise this after we assembly all the elements together, but we are not be able to fix these problems since they act as a whole. Once the thickness or the width of the frame and base changed, all the notches would also be changed. It show the characteristic of the waffle grid system, which is acting as a whole and once a small part be changed, the whole system would also be influenced. In the reading of Architecture of the Digital Age, different kind of digital fabrication processes and strategies are introduced to us. The two dimensional fabrication strategies are been used the most in our sleeping pod fabrication. The numbers of cutting technologies include of plasma-arc, laser-beam and water-jet (Kolarevic, 2003). The laser cutter made our design come true in term of the accuracy and efficiency of the digital fabrication. The laser cut strategy is the subtractive procedure (lecture six), and we need to unroll our solid model into a 2d flat plane on a laser cut template. Huge amount of pieces in different scales and sizes would be cut out by the laser cutter and it speed up our fabrication process and precise pieces cutting by the laser cutter bring our design work.
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4.0 REFLECTION
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M4 REFLECTION In the studio of digital design and fabrication, it is a new journey for me in term of the design strategies in rhino and digital fabrication technologies. This studio introduce us different digital design methods and it would be very helpful and practical for us to keep exploring them. The most fascinating point of our digital design is that it extending then possibility of our design, which is making impossible into possible. For example, the command of contour helps me to create different density of lines by just type in different distances between curves, and contour lines would shows along the surface in between head frames. This command simplify the design process and it would take much more time without this digital technology, because each curves are different in term of the length, angle and bending. The screening surfaces are coming form these identical curves and the differences let the system working as a whole. Also, thanks to the digital fabrication technology. Due to the characteristic of waffle grid system, every single piece would influence the whole structure so the errors in cutting of screening and notched would not be tolerated. And the laser cut techniques solve the problem of it and the out come of it would not be satisfied if we hand cut them. As Michael Speaks said, making now becomes a part of design (Iwamoto, 1969). I still can remember the excitement and the sense of achievement when my group mate and I saw the final full scale sleeping pod coming out. It is a totally different feeling when we look at it as a digital model and the actually fabricated model. It is the power of making. And during the fabrication process, countless problems have been found which we did not noticed in the design process. We kept refining our design during the making process, and the fabrication process is also a part of my design process. The changes of the material in the neck base part showing the dislocation between the digital modelling and actual fabrication. Digital modelling is more ideal however when we come to the fabrication, numbers of factors need to be considered. The failure of letting the head frame rotate around the neck base is resulting from the properties of the material (like friction, fragility) and notches design. And you may not be able to realise these in the digital model and it seems to be work. All these experiences would be taking into considerate in my future digital design and it is a useful experience for us to explore the unlimited possibility of digital fabrication. However, the two dimensional fabrication, in this case is laser cutter, also have its restriction in design. And the principle of how does the laser cutter work also have great influences in my design. Because the laser cutter could only cut in a flat plane along x-axial and y-axial, so the waffle grid could only intersect perpendicular in the design. So when I was building the digital model, I kept taking consideration of not having the z-axial cut. Also, the thickness of the material would also need to consider when making the notches. Overall, from design to fabrication, it is a progress of learning from the failures. And all the design should be respected because you will never know how much effort have been put even it is a simple design.
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5.0 APPENDIX
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APPENDIX 5.1 CREDIT
CREDITS
Page Cover
Drawings
Computation
Model Fabrication Model Assembly
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APPENDIX 5.2 BIBLIOGRAPHY
Heath, A., Heath, D., & Jensen, A. (2000). 300 years of industrial design : function, form, technique, 1700‐ 2000 / Adrian Heath, Ditte Heath, Aage Lund Jensen. New York : Watson‐Guptill. Cheng, R. 2008. Inside Rhinoceros 4 / Ron K.C. Cheng. Clifton Park, NY : Thomson/Delmar Learning, c2008. Sommer, R. 1969. Personal space : the behavioral basis of design / Robert Sommer. Englewood Cliffs, N.J. : Prentice‐Hall, c1969.A Scheurer, F. and Stehling, H. _2011_: Lost in Parameter Space? IAD: Architectural Design, Wiley, 81 _4_, July, pp. 70‐79 Asperl et al, 2007,Surfaces that can be built from paper / In H.Pottmann, A.Asperl,M.Hofer, A.Kilian (eds) Architectural Geometry, p534‐561, Bentley Institute Press Kolarevic, B 2003, Architecture in the Digital Age ‐ Design and Manufacturing /Branko Kolarevic. Spon Press, London Marble, S, 2008. Building the Future: Recasting Labor in Architecture/ Philip Bernstein, Peggy Deamer. Princeton Architectural Press. pp 38‐42 Rifkin, J 2011, The third Industrial Revolution. Palgrave Macmillan.pp107‐126
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