1.7 Molding and Casting

Ideas:

This week assignment, my idea is to experiment with geometry, randomness and materials.

Weaire–Phelan structure

Soap bubble

2D and 3D molds, 1 or two pieces: Breakdown decisions

One of the basic design decisions you will make is to choose the way your object will behave digitally. I mean, if it can be milled as a surface with some elevation, then it is mainly a 2D design. The things get more complicated when you try to design a complex object, the more subdivisions that the surface has, it will perform better if you subdivide that model into parts. The number of parts will depend on the complexity of your model. If you made a two part model, then in the process design it is necesary to add some

Ingredients

Physical stuff (Atoms)

Pre-mold: Wax brick

Mold: Silicone

Parts: Hydrostone

Digital stuff (Bits)

3D models. Based on acknowledgements: Prof. Denis Weaire Steve Pennell Ken Brakke John M. Sullivan

Instructions

Steps

Step 0: Design the model.

I manage to made several designs, mainly to improve my computer design skills and to test new concepts. Also you will need to take in mind the difference beetween a 2D and 3D model, of one or two pieces.

In the end, because I cannot have a new wax brick, I have design a new object, a smaller one so I can reuse the milled wax bricks.

Step 1: Select the right bit diameter. Result: Bit selected

Options: 1/16, 1/8. It depends of the spacing of the parts or the separation of the subdivisions inside the model

Step 2: Put the material (wax) on the milling machine and the selected bit. Result: Milling machine ready

Step 3: Zeroing the machine and send the work to mill. Result: the pre-model will be ready on the wax brick

Step 4: Prepare the mold material (Follow carefully the manufacturer instructions, in the case of liquid silicone OOMOO 25 is same volume of both components). Result: Material prepared

Security warning: Do not forget to wear gloves.

Step 5: Carefully pour the material into the pre-mold. Result: Liquid poured. Mold almost complete

Step 6: After the time especified by the manufacturer instructions (in the case of liquid silicone OOMOO 25 is 75 minutos), remove the mold from the wax brick. Result: mold complete and ready to be used

Step 7: Prepare the parts material (plastic, silicon, chocolate, etc. In this case is Smoooth-Cast 325). Result: Material prepared

Step 8: Pour the material into the mold. Wait an apropiate time before pull (in case of Smoooth-Cast 325 is 15 minutos). Result: material poured

Step 9: Remove carefully the part from the mold. Result: part ready!!!

Results:

There is a relationship between the object and its representation. From code into things. Code, 3D model, pre-mold, mold and part.

Inspirations from HTMAA

Full visual journey

17apr 2013