FMP - week 5 (2)

What worked well was that I was able to use both the laser cutter and the Zun machine. I did research into origami’s made from different materials other than paper. I came across a video that showed someone using the laser cutter to score a steel sheet, which they ended up folding. They did not score the sheet in lines but in dots or dashes with big gaps in between each dot-dash. I decided to use this technique where I created the template originally from lines but at the end I changed all the lines into dashes. 

Laser cut file

Zun machine file

Scored polypropylene

What did not worked well was that the polypropylene sheet that was scored on the Zun machine was cut slightly too deep, so when I tried to fold the sheet it snaps. It all snapped no matter how careful I was with the sheet. I was really disappointed with the result. 

Next, I will attach my model to the pillar and the edge of table to take photographs. I will also be hand scoring a big polypropylene sheet, and see whether it will work like the first time I did it, or will it snap again. I will also be drawing interiors to my models. Moreover, I will need to go to the 4D model shop to buy materials, as I have to start making my model from next week.

Looking at my action plan and timetable this is the last day of experimentation and I should start making my model from next week onwards.

FMP - week 5 (1)

What went well was I got given advice from teaching staff, which allows me to think about the things I need to consider for my pod house. We talked about the scale of my pod house, which I have not thought about yet. They suggested that I should now start thinking about the interior of my pod house. I could draw the interior or taking pictures of interiors and Photoshop them into the interiors of my models. The Water bomb tessellation I made by scoring polypropylene and cardboard, I was suggested to make a bigger piece and to use the Zun machine in the workshop to score it, instead of doing it by hand. This is something that I will consider experimenting for the next time I come in college, since I have to create the template first on Adobe Illustrator.

I manage to laser cut the same design but I change the sizes, so instead of all the pods in one size, I am experimenting with different sizes.

Adobe Illustrator file

Next I will be assembling the newly laser cut pieces. I will also be creating the template of the Water bomb tessellation, ready to be scored tomorrow using the Zun machine.

According to my action plan and time table, I am carrying on with exploring different practical methods. This has been achieved and is still ongoing, as I will be continuing experimenting using Adobe Illustrator, laser cutter and the Zun machine.

FMP - week 4 (3)

Today, we had a group discussion, where we had to show to the group how we got on so far for this project using our blog. The things they said to me were that my blog had no research. The research should relate to what I have done. Through the blog, I need to refer back to my action plan and timetable. There should be a sentence under every image explaining what the image is about. My images were altogether and underneath are all the texts or the other way round. It will look much clearer and easier for the reader if the text is beside the image. I was told that I had a good balance between the amount of texts and images in my blog. There weren’t too much of one thing.

What went well was that I managed to laser cut my design. It took quite awhile because I did not know how to operate it. I had to ask for help from the technicians and peers. Now that I got to know how to laser cut, the next time should take lesser time.

My design being cut by the laser cutter

What did not go well was my blog, which lacked many things. I will have to use the advices given to me to improve my blog.

Next, I will be gluing the laser cut pieces together and attached it on to a surface and take pictures.

Action plan and timetable shows that I should be exploring a range of practical methods, which I have start to achieve through the laser cut pieces. This target goes on to the next week, where I will be carrying on with exploring and developing my designs.

FMP - week 4 (2)

I picked out from my sketchbook a design I drew last week. I reproduced that design on Adobe Illustrator, which I will be laser cutting that design on cardboard. I was able to use Adobe Illustrator without much difficulty, because I have learnt to use it before during the beginning of this course.

Chosen idea

Laser cut file

The thing that did not go well was when I went to the workshop to laser cut, there was a long queue. I ended up not being able to cut my octagon design. I should have booked the laser cutter in advance. 

My tutor talked to me about my project, I should create a model of my pod house with the interior and another model of my location and with my pod house attached to it.

FMP - week 4 (1)

Today, I took on board the advice given to me during last week’s group discussion. 

I scored on a small piece of polypropylene and cardboard to create the Water bomb tessellation by Eric Gjerde. To do this I first unfold the paper tessellation, which enables me to see the folded lines. Then, using a scalpel I score on the polypropylene sheet and cardboard the folded lines on the paper. This technique worked on both materials. Though, the polypropylene piece has a better finish than the cardboard, as the cardboard looks scruffy and worn out. Whereas, the polypropylene piece stays in its form as the materials is harder. However, during the process of making the two pieces, it was much easier scoring and folding the cardboard version, as the materials take less effort to manipulate. On the other hand, the polypropylene sheet is much harder as a material, so it was really difficult to manipulate into the Water bomb tessellation. 
 

Water Bomb tessellation

cardboard version of a section of the Water bomb tessellation

Polypropylene version of a section of the Water bomb tessellation

I did not expect this method to work, so I was surprised that it turned out the way it did. 

Next I will be choosing a design from the drawings I have done and make a model of it. I might possibly be using the machines in the workshop to do this. I will be having a group discussion using our blog instead of the usual sketchbook. I will have to update my blog to this week. 

Looking back at my action plan and timetable it shows that this week is meant for exploring a range of methods. This is the target that I will be working on throughout this week. It also says that I will be picking a final design and draw out floor plan. This is the target that I won’t be achieving through this week, since I am still at the early stage of developing my designs. I will start finalizing my idea once I have developed two or three of my designs, which I will be doing during this and next week.