How to make (almost) anything

by Gabriella Gardosi (Gaia Gaoi)


Final Project Proposal

Week 08- The New Idea:

A live drawing suitcase which can control a CNC machine attached with a paintbrush.

The Tagtool setup (Img src lichtgestalten-tagtool.org) with Bot of the Cloth: A Flexible CNC Machine



In 2009 I began to use an open source live performance instrument called the Tagtool, for drawing and animation. It plugs into a projector so that you can draw and animate live.


During the Make Something Big week project, I realised I wanted to directly control the CNC machine, and began inquiring as to how one could generate G-Code from live drawing.

I want to emulate the Tagtool Suitcase and link it directly to a CNC machine.

I envision being able to draw a line on a touch pad, locking in the image which will send it directly to the CNC machine, so that the line across my screen equates to the length of the CNC.


I would have to output G-code for the CNC and callibrate the touch pad screen to the dimensions of the CNC.



Week 01- Initial idea for final project:

I envision my final project to be a heat-sensitive transforming artwork.
An artwork that changes with the seasons..

Previous Model:

Model of my 2014 project at ITP, New York

    The above model consist of:

  • Laser cut acrylic
  • Laser cut mdf
  • CNC wooden base
  • LEDs
  • Breadboard

Proposed Model:

My Final Project combines three components of abstract art:

Each component will be tackled using the skills learnt during the Fab Academy.


The model consists of:

Line

Lasercutter and 3D Scanning

  • Engrave acrylic slides using the lasercutter. The layered acrylic slides will portray a scene e.g. a scene of a Barcelona square. one layer will describe the trees, another layer a cafe terrace with table and chairs and another for the buildings in the background.

  • Explore the possibility of using a 3D scanner to create the scene which would be printed onto the acrylic slides.

Form

3D Design and printing, Molding/Casting and Composites

  • Make 3D model of artwork
  • Print a 3D maquette of artwork
  • Create base to contain electronics

Colour

Output Devices and Composites

  • Experiment with LEDs, RGB
  • Different composite materials

Transformation

Electronics Production, Input/Output Devices, Networking/Communications and Interface/Application Programming

  • LED lights with be programmed to illuminate different acrylic slides
  • Thermal sensor to change LED lights- I considered different sensors, like sound however I like that a temperature sensor is outside of the viewers control thus constantly giving surprising results (element of surprise!)
  • Create a remote sensor which can be placed outside while the artwork lies inside

Project Management