Wednesday, May 9, 2012

EAT project spikes


Finding a solution for the spikes on my pollen fruit holder was challenging.  I decided to print all 82 of them separately on the objet machine (though grouped in files of 10-12 each) and attach them to recesses designed into the sphere.  It seems like using the CNC mill to create this object is not particularly practical, but I have learned lots of different processes along the way.  It's also helped me with establishing a work flow.  With 82 spikes, I had to establish patterns to make the process go more quickly and smoothly.  For example, I put each set of spikes in a different layer in the original file to help me more easily figure out where they go in the sphere once printed.  We'll see if this helps when the spikes finish printing in an hour!

EAT project progress


I've CNC'ed the mold for the base of my pollen sphere, and yesterday and today I cast two porcelain prototypes.  I'm actually going to be casting my final sphere in a non-shrinking material, but I figured it couldn't hurt to do the porcelain.

The first one I did (on the left) cracked when I went to sand off the spout.  For the second one, I used a knife to cut off the spout while it was still leatherhard, which seemed to work better.