Additional work on the full scale prototype. There is still an issue with rotation, and when laminating the parts of the structure with glue, we had a first breach of a part. This was also a result of increased stress to the corners due to reinforcements of the vertical sides to prevent bulge, see image below.
A full scale test of alternate legs, that proved quite successful. The rotation is now reduced to a minimum. This version will be refined to complete the first full scale prototype. In parallel, the digital model will be updated according to lessons learned in preparation for a second full scale prototype.
A number of studies to solve the rotational problem, this seems to be a plausible solution. Compared to earlier studies, in this alternative the vertical leg is tapered. THe preferred alternative is here a thinner leg a the bottom. This will be tested in the workshop next week.
Update on the work with the full scale physical prototype done. There is tendency for rotation of the tabletop that comes with material performance and the structural solution that needs to be overcome. The aim is to find a solution for this very soon, in order to move on to production issues. We are also considering to enter in the Asahikawa international furniture design competition, at the first stage this only requires visualizations.
First try in assembling the full scale prototype, done in the workshop at Beckmans.
Images from today´s modelling session with Kalle Jönsson. Three models of the support frame were completed, in scale 1:5.
As part of a trip to Jönköping and Värnamo which inclded two lectures, I had a very interesting meeting with Sune Nordgren and Johanna Lilja of Vandalorum. One of the main focuses is to put designers in contact with local producers, and they have a network of several hundred of small companies in the area. I gave them a brief presentation of my work from the thesis, and they were very excited. As an initial contact, I will select a few students from AA dip16, who could benefit from direct contact with these industries. In the long run I am obviously also interested in making use of this contact for my own research. There may very well be a potential for ParaTable here, although I am slightly concerned that Källemo is another important actor at Vandalorum. This could be very good of course, but the current idea is to try to produce the table through alternate channels, with more direct contact with small producers.
Based on the first parametric GC model, I redesigned the support frame for better fit and higher geometrical control when all parts are joined. The frame has three distinct parts, which are tripled for the three “corners”. Two components are crossed fro side stability, and each corner-point has single planar post. The GC model is updated with the new scheme, so far the conrer post is modeled as a solid. Next step will be to set up the crossbars. A parallel fabricaiton scheme will be set up, in which the corner post is simply cut out of a sheet material, and the crossbars still need to be first fabriacted from a thicker sheet, then twisted into its final shape. On the 17th of Dec we will do first physical models in the workshop.
I updated the parametric model of ParaTable, and I am currently working on the support frame (the structure) for the table, and the way it adapts to different tabletop configurations. The table overall shape is based on three simple points, as is the support frame. The intital studies are doen in Rhino surface modeler, in which the principe for the frame is set as a static construct. This build-up is then replicated in GenerativeComponents, in which the relation to the three controlling points is set-up, with additional variation is added through variables.
I will meet with Kalle Jönsson in December for a short workshop session around the materials used for both the tabletop and the frame. For the frame I am currently looking at a material that is fabricated to a unique form for each variant of the table, but also put in tension during assembly (like a wicker chair). I am not yet sure what material would be adequate, but for both tabletop and frame, we are possible looking for a recycled material. Images below shows the current stage of development in Rhino, with a final chosen static shape, and the parametric model, which is not yet completed. Before the December workshop I am hoping to finalize also with patterns for fabrication, that will be laser cut in preparation for our material tests.
I will look for a better way of displaying multiple images later on, as slideshow. For now, each stage can be viewed by clicking each image for better resolution.
