Outsourced Wearable

For this project I knew I wanted to design a ring that would allow for me to embroider onto it. Specifically, I had wanted to design a ring that would encase the embroidery thread that I received from my recently passed Grandmother, so to me, this ring would serve as a memorable piece.

After discussing some ideas with my peers, I ended up making a simple design, that hand fewer holes, but was still visually interesting, and wouldn't take away from the importance of the thread.

To outsource the ring, and have it 3D Printed, I ordered it through a company in the states known as Shapeways. Their website allows you to check and see if there are any parts of your design that need adjusting so it is printed (almost) perfectly. My design, as it was simple enough (and I suppose well thought out too) I didn't need to make any adjustments.

I had ordered the ring to be cast into silver (because despite my ability to be able to cast the ring myself, I don't particularly like casting, and this saved me the time required to cast).
At some point I had a few issues (I had received an empty box, and it was evident that the ring had likely fallen out during shipping) But the problem was resolved in an orderly and friendly manner.

Here is the ring with the embroidery thread on it. I may have to re-do the thread, I had forgotten to wax it before attaching it, and I can tell that it has begun to fray a tad, as I have worn it many times already.



Overall I was satisfied with the results.

Milestone Projects

2D Surface Designs

Reverse Engineered Scissors

Outsourced Wearable (Ring with embroidery thread weaved through the holes)

Final Ring: Silver with Embroidery Thread

Chess Set

Without Thread

















With Thread

Chess Set: Planning and Start

For my next project, I will be Designing my own chess set, and will eventually be using a 3d Printer to print them!

Through much consideration, and suggestions from peers, I will be designing a chess set based on the different types of bobbins used in sewing. Each bobbin will relate to the roles of each role of the chess pieces.

For example, the pawn will be the smallest type of bobbin, one that is used specifically for keeping tension whilst using a sewing machine, as well as for the actual sewing of a sewing machine.

Once the six different pieces have been printed, I will be adding thread to them, and the thread itself will also play a role in what the pieces role is. For example, using a ply-cotton thread for the Queen, as it is one of the most versatile types of threads, much like how the Queen is the most versatile piece.

Below are some notes on the sizes for each piece, the threads i will use on the pieces, and some rough sketches on what the pieces will look like.

Here I have started to create the pieces in Rhino. I gave them the appearance of what the bobbins would typically look like, that may not be how they eventually appear as once I finalize my designs.

Reverse Engineered Object: Completed

I finally completed recreating a digital copy of a physical object, with the exact dimensions as the original.

Here is two views of the object, one in rendered mode, and the other in artistic mode.

Two exploded views of the scissors, to show each of its components

This was just an experiment to see what it looked like if I angled it differently.

I had much difficulty when creating the shapes for the handles of the scissors, as well as connecting the handles to the blades.
This project challenged me greatly but I am satisfied with the results

Reverse Engineered Object: Rendering the Object Part 1

I have begun to construct the scissors in 3 dimensional form, starting with the screws.

Here I made the screw using spiral, and sweeping a triangular shape following the spiral. Combined with a few cylinders, the screws begin to take shape.

Adding the rounded top to the screw.

And finally adding the indent for a screwdriver head.

Almost forgot to ad a slight rounded bottom to the screw

First screw is done, aside form my difficulties in combining the shapes using the command BooleanUnion. Perhaps I will have to reconstruct the screw to do so?

Moving on to the next screw

The screw part is done, same method as the first one (also same problem combining the parts).

I am a bit unsure as how to create the texture for the piece that the screw is attached to. I will set this aside for now.

From the screws, I moved on to trying to construct the blade of the scissors. I started with the main shape of the blade, although I am a bit unsure on how to approach making the blade more blade like. I think i still have some angles and measurements to do. 

Reverse Engineered Object: Measuring the Object

I ended up deciding on doing the pair of scissors.

My next step in the Reverse Engineered object was to get as many measurements as I could using a digital caliper. I took not of those measurements in my sketch book.

All measurements shown in the images are in millimeters, and down to the nearest hundredth decimal point, so that when I begin to construct the object in Rhino3D, it will be as accurately to scale as possible.

Reverse Engineered Object: Selecting an Object

To help better my skills in using Rhino, I have chosen and object (or two) that i will reverse engineer and attempt to build using what skills I have, and will learn while trying to render them digitally.

The first object I chose, and am more inclined to render is a small key-chain compass.

The second object I was looking at, is a pair of scissors used for cutting hair.

I will soon finalize my decision on which object I will be doing, and begin to render it digitally.

Surface Designs

What is a surface design?
It is an ornamental enhancement to any surface to enhance it's visual appearance.

Over the last couple of weeks I have been paying more attention to the different surface designs that surround us.

Things such as:

The layout of these bricks, each in their own unique pattern. Yet all of them geometric (due to the nature of bricks being typically rectangular, or square)




Or some of these designs that were on the floor. Using two different colours/types of wood for a visual effect. Or perhaps the carpet I see everyday, and take it's odd designs for granted.




I do a fair amount of work with fabric, in which surface design is a very important part of some processes. The use of dying, stitches (such as embroidery and cross stitch), as well as printing, to create a design on the surface of these fabrics.



    


And of course, the ornamental carvings that have been done on wood for many years.



With some of these designs in mind, I decided to create some of my own 2D surface designs using Rhino3D

This one was inspired by some of the lines, and patterns on some of the fabric surface designs, and the carvings on the wooden door.






I based this one on some of the brickwork designs.



For this one I played with numerous circles, and the hatching and colouring of different layers.
 

For this last one I also played around with using one shape, and seeing what sort of pattern I could make with just the one shape, in this case I used numerous pentagons, and just two or three different colours.

 


I think I like the last two the most, they have an interesting, floral look to them.

Which one do you like the most?