Clay Printed Objected

Clay Printed Object

For this homework assignment, I worked with 3 other classmates: Ben, Jin, and Ty.  We shared ideas for which items to print through email and a subsequent discussion.  At first we couldn't decide which of the two ideas below to print with the clay printer.

Idea 1

This was an idea Ben and I had considered for the 3D plastic printed object.  There was some concern that the knobs on the object would be problematic to print with the clay printer.

Fig 1 Idea 1 - Top View

Fig 2 Idea 1 Side View

Fig 3 Idea 1 Perspective View

Idea 2

This idea is a variation of the above with the knobs removed.

Fig 4 Idea 2 Top View

Fig 5 Idea 2 Side View

Both versions were brought to the clay lab.  When it was our turn to print our object, Bryan flipped a coin to make the decision.  Very diplomatic approach!  It was decided we'd go with the second design.  Below are some of the photos of the final product during printing and shortly after.

Fig 6 Beginning of the Print

Fig 7 Print 80% Complete

Fig 8 Print Complete

A video of the clay printer is below:

Final 3D Printed Object

Preparation for and Printing of the Final 3D Object

This weeks blog post focuses on working collaboratively with another student to generate new ideas inspired by a mash-up of a selection from the ideas from the Nov 8th post.  Each new idea should be inspired by at least two objects, one from each student.

Ben was my partner for this work.  He was very easy to work with as he brought great suggestions to the table and was very open to new ideas.  Initially, we spent some time talking about what we liked about each others objects then made suggestions about which objects to combine.  We divvied up the ideas and shared our files with each other so we could each work on a few of the ideas.   Although we could have chosen to sketch the ideas, it seemed just as easy to use Rhino. Our plan was to generate mash-ups, choose a few to print, then choose the most successful of those as our final product.

Below are the results of the mash-ups that completed for our combined work. 

Idea 1

I really liked the split in Ben's pyramid and Ben was interested in using the object that looked a bit like a dalek.  We decided to create the mash-up of these two images.  I added the split in a vertical direction to be sure it would be printable and twisted the split (removing the knobs that touched the split).  I believe this is printable, but I am a bit concerned about the angle of the bottom knobs.  I think this mash-up made the original shape more interesting.  It almost looks like a piece in a machine of some sort.

Vivian's Abstract Shape

Ben's Split Pyramid

Idea 1 View 1

Idea 1 View 2

Idea 2

I thought the smooth form Ben created was pretty cool and had a lot of possibilities.  By rotating, then combining this form as a negative space to the vase shape, a new object was created that was a well balanced combination of our two ideas.  It also looks better than the original vase.  I believe this is printable.

Ben's Organic Shape

Vivian's Vase

Organic Shape Inverted then Cuddled Up to Vase



Shapes Positioned Around Vase Ready to Go - Vase in "Ghosted" View

Idea 2 View 1 - Vase Minus the Organic Shape - Rendered View

Idea 2 View 2 - Vase Minus the Organic Shape - Coloured View

Idea 3

Another Idea was to combine one of Ben's abstract shapes with the top of my vase to create a more interesting vase shape.  This idea wasn't as successful as the other ideas shown above.  The top of my vase had too many dips to fit comfortably on the abstracted base.  Although I resized this top several times, it wasn't possible to create a neat fit that fit organically with the base.  Below is as good as I could get it and it has a few very short horizontal pieces that makes it questionable that it could be printed.  If I could have made it work, I think it would have been more attractive than the original vase.  I also tried fitting a different top, one that had a circle as a base thinking the fit would be more successful since the connection point on both shapes are circles.  The final result wasn't particularly attractive, although I do think it is an even balance of both ideas and it is printable.

Ben's Abstract Shape



Vivian's Abstract Shape

Vivian's Vase

Idea 3 View 1 - Coloured View




Idea 3 View 2

Idea 4

Ben noticed I used a lot of twisting in my objects.  This inspired the idea below.

Idea 4 View 1

Idea 4 View 2 (looks a bit like a dinosaur)

Idea 4 View 3

Idea 5

Originally, were we going to take one of my other objects based on an octagon shape, then twist it will reducing the number of sides with each twist.  This was how one of Ben's objects were made and his was very effective.  This idea was attempted, but wasn't as visually impactful as we had anticipated so it is not included in this post.

Printed Object

We decided to print idea 2 as that seemed to meet the requirements of the assignment and was a good collaborative mix of both our ideas. Below are some photos of the final product.

Final Object - Still in Printer

Top View of Object so the Texture on the Inside is Visible

Top View of Object

Side View of Object

We are also planning to print off one more object although the requirements for this homework assignment have been met.  The additional object will be added to the post once printed.

Overall, I've enjoyed this assignment.  It was fun working with a collaborator and cool to print off a 3D object.  The printer is a bit more sensitive that what I might have assumed, so that was good learning. 



3D Brain Storming Idea

3D Printed Hollow Form Object

This weeks assignment is to create 10 ideas of objects that could be printed on a 3D printer.  A few of the limiting parameters include:

• must be closed polyform
• must be self supporting when printed.  Considerations include:
• no horizontal surfaces other than the top
• attempting to maintain >~35 degree angle of surfaces relative to the horizontal

I chose to render the objects with the "artistic" view setting in Rhino.  In some cases, I also used a different method of display to highlight a specific feature of the object.  I experimented with many of the example techniques demonstrated in class including:

• loft
• rotate
• taper
• twist
• shell
• stretch
• planarsrf
• copy
• revolve
• bend

Object 1

Fig 1 Object 1, View 1 (Rendered)

Fig 2 Object 1, View 2 (Artistic)

Fig 3 Object 1, View 3 (Artistic)

Fig 4 Object 1, View 4 (Top View)

Object 2

Fig 5 Object 2, View 1 (Rendered)

Fig 6 Object 2, View 2 (Artistic)

Object 3

For this object, there is some question whether the bottom rung of nodes are self supporting due to the angle at the bottom of the node.  The angle might be less than 35 degrees.

Fig 7 Object 3, View 1 (Artistic)

Fig 8 Object 3, View 2 (Top View - Artistic)

Object 4

Fig 9 Object 4, View 1 (Artistic)

Fig 10 Object 4, View 2 (Artistic)

Object 5

Some concerns I have with this object are the many points along the surface and the struggle the 3D printer has with sharp points.

Fig 11 Object 5, View 1 (Artistic)

Fig 12 Object 5, View 2 (Artistic)

Object 6

Fig 13 Object 6, View 1 (Artistic)

Fig 14 Object 6, View 2 (Artistic)

Fig 15 Object 6, View 3 (Artistic)

Fig 16 Object 6, View 4 (Top View)

Object 7

Fig 17 Object 7, View 1 (Artistic)

Fig 18 Object 7, View 2 (Artistic)

Object 8

Fig 19 Object 8, View 1 (Artistic)

Fig 20 Object 8, View 2 (Artistic)

Fig 21 Object 8, View 3 (Top View)

Object 9

Fig 22 Object 9, View 1 (Artistic)

Fig 23 Object 9, View 2 (Artistic)

Fig 24 Object 9, View 3 (Artistic)

Object 10

In rereading the assignment, I think Object 10 might not meet the criteria listed.  I included the object because I think it looks pretty cool and I feel it is a little different from many of the other ideas as it is quite organic.

Fig 25 Object 10, View 1 (Rendered)

Fig 26 Object 10, View 2 (Artistic)

Fig 27 Object 10, View 3 (Artistic)

Fig 28 Object 10, View 4 (Artistic)

Fig 29 Object 10, View 5 (Top View)

Overall, I liked the assignment.  I find I start running out of ideas after about 5, and then I really struggle with the last 3.  I was pleasantly surprised by how attractive the top view of the objects often are, especially if the object is twisted.  The symmetry of the image really stands out.