DIGITAL DESIGN + FABRICATION SM1, 2015 EXTERNAL SPINE Chuhan Yao 683814

Tutor: Michelle Emma James Group: Pineapple Group

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1. Ideation1.1 Object

Firstly, I took a few pictures of plan and elevation view of the pineapple, and then I printed them out in the exact scale and used tracing paper to trace them down. As for digital modeling, I firstly created a cylinder and used FilletEdge command to get smooth edges for the body of pineapple. And then, I used the Paneling Tools to create grid on the surface of pineapple and set the 2D pattern to diamond to create a pineapple-like surface. As for the leaves, I create irrgular geometric surfaces and use gumball to adjust them.

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1.2 Object + System Analysis

The body of a pineapple consists of lots of rough spiny upheaval. They present themselves in a spiral pattern on the surface. The shape of spiral patterns actually can be found in different natural formation, such as the DNA pattern of living creatures, and so on. And I actually researched for the growth of a pineapple, it turned out that pineapple actually grows from the bottom to the top with a radical pattern.

Also, the surface of the pineapple consists of lots of little upheavals. The structure of the pineapple is actually stacking these upheavals to cover the whole surface.

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1.2 VolumeThe making workshop introduced a technique of making a second skin. The task is to stick pantagons with each other and then connect them with hexagons. Because hexagons and pantagons cannot fit in 2 dimensional space, so the structure twist in 3 dimension space in a very dynamic way. We made a helmet that extended to the arm. From this task I learnt that I can actually stack 2 dimensional structures to make a 3 dimensional structure.

After the making workshop, I stick with the idea of stacking 2 dimensional structures into 3 dimensional strcuture with balsa sticks. By stacking sticks with regular angle, the structure twisted in 3 dimensional space and formed spiral form. Also, similar with the surface of the pineapple, I make some pantagons and stack them to create laying effect.

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1.3 Sketch design proposal

This mask-like design covers partly of the face and helps to hide the emotion of the person. It enables the user to deciede whether to let know his emotion.

A twisting pattern cylinder which extends the volume of personal spaces, and the shade created by gaps inbetween and hides parts of the personal space.

This design imitates back bones of human with stacking patterns and enables user whether his personal space can be invaded or not.

Human Bones\ Rotatable\ Radical\ StackRadical patterns\Shade\ Partly hidden

Mask\ Toughts\ controlable\ Real Emotions

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2. Design2.1 Design development intro:

Using the idea orginially developed by Alex by of the overlapping scales we combined it with Alex’s spine idea as well as Maggie’s idea from M1, we combined the three ideas to form a new idea. We used the layering effect from Alex’s sketch model combined with the idea of the spine to form the linear overlapping spine idea. We also incorporated Maggie’s idea of the helment and the protection of the face into the idea. We extended the spine to run down the face of the wearing to create a piece that would deter others from coming close to the wearers face.

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2.2Digitization + Design proposal v.1

This is our initial plan. With the little triangular pieces stacking up, the whole structure stick to the spine and at the same time imitate the spine like an external bone of human. It acts as a defensive skin of human that filps up when other people come close to the back.

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2.3 Precedent research

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2.3 Precedent Research

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2.4 Design proposal v2.

For modifications we learnt from the precedents that we can have the scales become dynamic in shapes and sizes. The scales become bigger from the both ends to the central panel at the shoulder. All the electrical switches and stuffs will be stored in the central panel, and attached to the body with strips.

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2.4 Design proposal v2.

Afterwards, from the second precedent we found out that the lighting effect is also important for the deign. So we adjusted the patterns and cutouts on each scale to have light coming out. We also thought about extending the strcuture to arms and legs to archieve the effect that the user look like a glowing person. But this design might restrain the movement of the user even if we leave out spaces at joint, so we eventually abandoned the idea and decided to just have the structure stay at the back and shoulder(the right one).

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2.5 Prototype v.1 + Testing effects

We tested the lighting effect and found out that LED lights works perfectly to archieve the glowing effect. The light penetrate through the cutouts well.

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2.5 Prototype + Testing Effects

While making the full size prototype we found out that the diamond shape central piece actually restrained the movement of all scales so we changed another central piece. Also, mountboard, as the material, is easy to peel and very brittle. It is very hard to fold and always tend to break.13

3.0 Fabrication3.1 Fabrication introAfter making the full size prototype we were pretty satisfied with the design so we decide not to change it. But having the same cutouts on all scales looks a bit dull so we designed a new cutout that they stack up and become more while they get closer to central piece. Also, in terms of materiality, we tested out a few different materials but they all not behaving well. And one material that behaved perfectly turned out to be poisonous and not suitable for laszer cutting. So at last we had to choose white perspex as the material.

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3.2 Final Prototype development + optimisation

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3.3 Final Digital Model

As decided previously, we decided to keep the design in Module 2 unchanged. We only changed a new pattern that made the design more dynamic.16

3.4 Fabrication sequence

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3.5 Assenbly Drawing

After we assemble each scale, we installed tabs on it and then bolt them on the thermal plastic which was made suitable for my body. Shoulder pieces were attached to a toroidal piece sitting on my neck which was attached to the spine thermal plastic piece.

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3.6 Completed 2nd skin

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4.0 ReflectionOverall, the whole course is actually very inspiring, starting with module 1: analyzing the structure of a pineapple. Pineapple is actually a common object in my daily life, but I did not pay any attention to its structure except eating it. So I was amazed when I found that the pineapple actually grows in spiral order. From module 1 I learnt that while generating ideas people only need a triger to observe and very common objects in the world has fascinating features on it. Module 2 is about generating our second skin design. I really like the classification of different system such as panel & fold, section & profile and skin & bone system. After we generated our idea, by refering to different systems, I can modify our design more conveniently and much faster. Also after we were introduced digital fabrication skills we can more easily and effecticely convey our idea by making a 3D model rather than words and skteches. These skills such as Rhino also helped me with other subjects. We also made a protoype of our design. I used to think making prototype is not very important for we already made a 3D model of the design. But in module 2 I realized there were some problems that you would never know unless you made a protoype. The central piece of our design turned out to restrain the movement of the whole strucutre after we made a prototype. It sat well in 3D model but the point is that you cannot examine the mechanism of an object as you can in real life. Module 3 is about the Fabrication of physical model. While making the final model we encountered different problems. The material we chose did not behave as we originally thought it would. From module 3 I learnt that while making a model you have to consider every possible problem that may occur while making it.

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5.0 Appendix5.1 Creditpage Drawings Computation Model Fabrication Model Assembly Photography Writing Graphic Design

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x: Chuhan Yao o: Maggie Hu

5.2 BibliographyReferences:AEDS/Ammar Eloueini (no date) California: Stage Set for John Jaspere- by AEDS/Ammar Eloueini. Available at: https://app.lms.unimelb.edu.au/bbcswebdav/pid-4680347-dt-content-rid-16487917_2/courses/ENVS20001_2015_SM1/California_AEDS.pdf (Accessed 18 April 2015)Deem, R. (no date) Design in DNA: Dual Coding Found in Nearly All Genes. Available at: http://www.godandscience.org/evolution/dual_coding_dna_design.html (Accessed: 28 March 2015)MOS (no date) Huyghe + Le Corbusier Puppet Theatre - by MOS. Available at: https://app.lms.unimelb.edu.au/bbcswebdav/pid-4680083-dt-content-rid-16487915_2/courses/ENVS20001_2015_SM1/Puppet%20Theatre_MOS.pdf (Accessed: 18 April 2015)