Digital Making_Found Object

Found Object

I have included the works of great abstract artists for educational purposes and juxtaposed them against one of my own photo. I have used this type of juxtaposed relationship to create  a common idea about how the sum of the parts can equal the whole (the actual physical building) but that the whole  may look different as you are putting all the parts together bit by bit (my photographic vision of the building). 

I have chosen to model a camera is because architects depend on photographic images to convey a message or to legitimize their work and recognizing for their accuracy and precision, photographs could render architectural elements as never before. Architects began to design with photographic representation in mind and for good or bad the public began to understand the built world around them in photographic terms

Photography surpassed drawing as the preferred artistic medium for recording and presenting architecture. With the advancement of photographic technologies and the modernization of the built environment around the turn of the twentieth century came innovative representations of architecture. Compositions and photographic processes began to reflect the avantgarde and modernist sensibilities of the time, and photographs of buildings, churches, homes, and other structures often showcased these developments. Experimental and conceptual approaches toward the representation of architecture have been embraced by photographers. 

Digital Making_123D Catch

123D Catch 

App Installation

Autodesk 123D Catch is an app that allows the user to generate a 3D Model of any object by taking a series of photos from different angles. It will recognise the object through the captured photos and combine them to from a 3D model.

The first step in creating a 3D model is to install autodesk 123D Catch from the app store if you are using your phone. You can make any object of your own choosing. I used the app to render my camera with 3 easy steps.

Before attempting to take photos of the object, you will need to create an account by pressing the plus sign on the top right corner so that all scanned project are stored into the account.

Then begin taking multiple shots of the object in various angles and a full 360 capture of the object making sure each shot is clear and in focus. For faster processing make sure the background is not too cluttered with items and making sure the lighting is good for capturing photos.

It is important to take photos from the top view for the application to work properly.

Wait for the application to process and combine all the images together to form a 3D scanning of the model. It will take 10 - 20 minutes to render for my specific object. Depending on how many images you have, the process time may vary and may take longer for others.

Once this step is finished and the waiting is done, download the stl file form the account previously created on the Autodesk 123D Catch webpage.

It is now ready to import into Mesh Mixer to clean up all the unnecessary and excess pieces such as the surrounding items.

Digital Making_ Mesh Mixer

Mesh Mixer

Software Installation

There are many different applications that could help clean up your model such as Mesh Mixer. simply click on the download button for installation.


Clean Up

The next step after your installation of Mesh Mixer onto the computer. Discard all the unnecessary bits from the scanning produced by 123D Catch and retain the object as it is. Export this into an obj file for the next software application use which is 123D Make. 

Digital Making_123D Make

123D Make

Software Installation

After scanning the model through 123D Catch and discarding all the unwanted bits though mesh mixer, it is now ready for import into 123D Make to create various patterns of the object. This software allows you to generate templates of your desired model for laser cutting and assembly later.

Importing

Simply download Autodesk 123D make onto the computer and import the ojb file into this software. After loading into 123D Make and it is imported, there are different options of shaping this object through stacking, interlocking and radical techniques shown below. The software will generate a pretty good 3D model of the object for creating a solid contour.  

original

stacked slices

interlocking slices

radical slices

Previously I have used interlocking as a method of creating my mold for hammering. After my first attempt of laser cutting, I realized there was a problem with the interlocking hence I underwent with stacking which is a better approach. 

Preparation for laser cutting

The autodesk 123d make generated over 50 pieces which is not ideal for laser cutting.  it is expensive and too much to laser cut. you are able to define the number of templates for cutting. as a result I reduced the size of the model creating roughly 32 pieces with a maximum of 3 templates to cut. The final step is to export these templates as PDF files. Click on the 'Get Plans' Tab  and save them onto your usb or hardrive. 

The next step is to import these PDF files into Adove Illustrator to modify the settings for laser cutting. The dimension of the material sheet you choose to use should be 600X300 as it will fit perfectly onto the laser cutting machine. It is important to note that the outlines of the template should be red for actual cutting and blue for scouring shown above. The 123D make will produce an original template shown below which is not ideal for laser cutting.  In addition, the line weights should be set to 0.001 for the laser cutting machine to cut effectively. 

Digital Making_Laser Cutting

Laser Cutting

This step is very easy, I simply removed all the required pieces from the laser cutting and began stacking

it is best to stack and assemble all the cut out pieces once before attempting to glue them and making sure your pieces are not missing.

once you think you are ready, start stacking and gluing each piece together 

This is the final product with every piece glued together. I have rearranged all the pieces from the laser cutting in chronological order and glued each slice together to create a mold shown above

Digital Making_Metal Shaping

Metal Shaping

Aluminium sheet

You will need an aluminium sheet approximately 1.6mm in thickness, your laser cut plywood mold, hammering tools and having access to the workshop. Begin shaping the aluminium sheet with the molded plywood form work shown below. There are many metal shaping tools to help with the shaping of the aluminium in the workshop lab. Mallets are a great way of shaping and bending your aluminium sheets.  

Before trying to wrap or shape the aluminium, it is best to have all the dimensions marked out onto the metal sheet before cutting with a marker. After you are satisfied with the dimensions, use the foot operated guillotine to trim the aluminium sheet into the exact length and width you desire.

Cut the aluminium sheet to the correct dimension that will cover certain areas of your form work, in this case I have tried try to wrap the metal sheet around the mold. I have used a pan brake machine show below to bend the sheet at a 90 degrees angle.

Use different workshop tools which comes in different sizes and shapes to assist you in your metal shaping. The tool shown above works best for bending the aluminium sheet around my molded object as it pushes the edge into the crevice. 

Hammering requires a lot of force and simply holding the aluminium sheet will not help hence clamping is a great method in stabilizing the plywood object while hammering and shaping the metal sheet. 

While working with aluminium sheets, it is important to be careful and take caution with sharp edges, corners and shrapnel that may cause injury and cuts. As I was working with the aluminium sheets in the workshop, I had a few cuts on my fingers while trying to bend it, it is recommended to bring your own gloves for protection and safety. Wearing ear muffs while working in the labs is highly recommended as it is loud with everyone pounding and hammering away which may cause discomfort or damage to your eardrums. 

Digital Making_Final Product

Final

I have managed to wrap the aluminium sheet around the laser cut plywood formwork . i attempted to cover the entire mold with metal sheet however the top bit was extremely difficult to shape and it fell apart while I was pounding and hammering it hence the disproportionate shape however I was able to cover the top with a small aluminium sheet which fits perfectly over the plywood mold.