NETS DOCUMENTATION

CONTENTS

Tech-or-Treat Installation

Testing and Fabrication

Specification

Page 6

Page 10

Page 14

Instructor : Paola Zellner Bassett

Participants : Michael Bednar, Adam Burke, Brian Heller, Kelsey Margulies, and Matt Young

Special Assistance : Tom Martin and John Seminatore

NETS is a textile space Independent Study, originating in Virginia Tech’s School of Architecture + Design.

The Fall 2014 course focused on developing upon previous iterations from Spring 2014 and incoporating optical fiber lighting controlled by remote sensors while also studying mechanical movement systems for the textile space.

Intentions

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5INTENTIONS

INTENTIONS

Nets 2.0 is the second iteration of an ongoing investigation of sensing spaces. The installation used the medium of netted structures to describe space. Sensors were used as inputs to mediate between people and the structure of the space, bringing the space to life. The investigations of the semester focused on the introduction of movement and optical fibers into the net structure.

The goal of the introduction of movement was to develop a dynamic space that could change density and at different stages create shifting conditions of interiority and exteriority. The optical fibers were conceived of as a secondary layer of information, woven into the physical structure of the net, reacting to different environmental factors. In our installation these factors were a combination of proximity sensors located away from the main net that would remotely and dynamically influence the behavior of the color and intensity of the light projected through the fibers. This connection served to change people’s perception of distance and barrier within the confines of the installation.

NETS 1.0 Preliminary Sketches

TESTING AND FABRICATION 7

TESTING AND FABRICATION

Our major changes from Nets 1.0 were the introduction of optical fibers and inversion/movement of the net structure itself. In order to allow inversion we began testing conical shaped nets. Our first discovery was that a netting pattern with even spacing would collapse on itself, causing bunching and tangling of the net. To solve this problem we developed a progressive reduction in diamond size when moving from the large ring to the smaller support armature (see: Table A). We started netting at the large ring using twenty lengths of rope; they were run through the eyebolts to their midpoint, creating forty strands. Each row of diamonds formed was slightly smaller than the last. The measurement was done with a marked stick and rubber bands to keep our place. It was low tech, but highly efficient.

Another development of the netting was its attachment to the ring and armature. This was achieved using twenty regularly spaced eye-bolts on each. The eye-bolts allowed for free movement of the ring relative to the net position without binding or distortion. They also fixed permanently the position of the netting joints around the circumference of the rings.

The introduction of optical fiber cables presented a challenge because it also required a collection point for the fibers to be illuminated with a single lamp. The support of the light engine and distribution of the optical fibers led to the development of a twenty sided fixed armature. It helped regulate the optical fiber strands and also served as a smaller ring structure for the conical net. The fibers we separated into groups of eight strands and fed through twenty of the larger holes in the armature, these holes corresponded with connection points for the net with eye-bolts. Once the strands were fed through the holes they were split and run along the line of the net structure. Every other diamond two strands were dropped at a netting point to develop a diffused array of points created by the ends of the optical fiber strands. The first time we tested the optical fibers we just wove them into the net structure, but there was a lack of regularity in this process so we began to fix the fibers at each point where we dropped 2 strands. This provided an adequate amount of regulation for the strands. The large ring was constructed of 5 – 1” PVC conduit segments bent using the Bend-It and formed on a jig with a 7’2” diameter circle segment marked out on it, joined with PVC conduit connectors and PVC joining compound.

Manipulations of NETS 1.0

Optical fiber assembly

TESTING AND FABRICATION 9

Lifting vertically is the best way to prevent distortion of the lower ring. In order to do this we needed a super-structure with the same diameter as the lower ring. Originally we were considering another large ring, however we moved to a large six pointed star because it was more rigid and provided more attachment points to support both the small armature and the large net ring. The six points provided six lifting points. We used aircraft cable as our lifting medium. Aircraft cable was attached to the large ring below by looping it through 6 evenly spaced eye bolts and crimping the wire. It was then run upwards threaded through six eye-bolts at the points. The cables were then gathered to a central point at the center, run through a section of ½” PVC pipe to prevent abrasive damage to the light engine, and then brought to the ground with a single cable. There were some problems with cable tangling and curling that prevented a smooth return of the large ring to its lower position. This could be rectified with a more refined collection system for the cables in the center and/or a heavier lower ring.

The optical fibers we used did not hang straight and required a weight at the bottom to put them in tension. The weights we developed were 2” sections of sand-blasted ¾” diameter Plexiglas rods. The ends of the optical fibers were inserted into holes drilled halfway into the rods. This allowed the light from the optical fibers to be dispersed evenly and provided surface area to join the rods and fibers using double stick tape. We attempted to use super-glue as well as epoxy, however they both proved to be inefficient methods of joining.The initial light source was a 16 watt LED light engine, however it was not powerful enough to illuminate the strands if there was any ambient light. Our final light source was a 60W DMX controllable LED light engine. This allowed us to activate the lights with xbee based proximity sensors, communicating wirelessly with a computer running MAX 6 (with attached programs and documentation) and a DMX USB Pro Mk2 DMX controller. The LED light engine has 3 color channels that can be controlled independently. We also had 3 corresponding sensors assigned to trees within the lobby of the Moss Arts Center. As the sensors were approached the channels were removed from the larger net. This allowed for dynamic interactions between multiple humans and the installation.

Super-structure faciliating movement

Optical fiber resolution

SPECIFCATION 11

SPECIFICATION

SPECIFCATION 13

TECH-OR-TREAT INSTALLATION 15

TECH-OR-TREAT INSTALLATION

At the conclusion of this prototyping process, the NETS installation was placed for public viewing at an event displaying an intersection of science, engineering, art, and design at the Moss Center for the Arts (CFA) on Virginia Tech’s campus. The project was transported and installed on the morning and afternoon prior to the evening event. Coordination with the staff of the CFA was required to ensure the installation would be secure and electrically supported. Our project was part of a larger collection of works on display from a wide range of university departments from computer engineering to architecture. In addition to this, the prototype was supported by large, illuminated elements from a project completed by our predecessors.

Once the project arrived to the CFA, it was reassembled, attaching the lower net with the wooden support it hung from. The installation was then hoisted into place from the roof of the building by the CFA staff and electronic connections were established. Next, acrylic weights were added to the ends of the optic fibers in the piece and sensors were connected between interior and exterior elements of the installation.

In this setting, the project was hung from the roof near the entrance of the CFA on the exterior, and the elements of the previous project hung on the interior of the building with visual connection between the two. The sensors were placed at the base of the interior elements and sent information to the NETS installation on the exterior. Each of the three elements inside the building were illuminated in a different color and when a sensor at the base detected an obstruction, that color information would drop from the fiber optic illumination in the NETS. This created an interactive environment for viewers to have a direct effect on.

In addition to the variation in color, the lower ring of NETS was able to be moved and change the character of the piece. The project would begin in a fully extended state and as the ring was moved higher, the weighted optic fiber ends would spread apart and accentuate the changing nature of the net. This allowed for the NETS installation to appear differently to viewers when they exited the event from when it was seen while entering.

Optical fiber responding to sensorTransportation and Installlation