CAD Project

For my CAD project I have started with some patterns I have made in Corel draw based on the Fibonacci spiral and sequence. I then exported these files into Solidworks halved them through the circle and revolved certain shapes. This made some really interesting images that would only be seen properly if made from a translucent material. 

I looked at these and thought of the drawings by biologist Ernst Haeckel, who created hundreds of drawings of microscopic marine creatures. Each drawing is very detailed showing the beautiful patterns and repetitions of shapes within the creatures. I also looked at mathematician and sculptor George Hart who creates 3D geometric forms with 2D pieces of material. Most of his pieces are made possible by the technology of computer programs and rapid prototyping. 

From this point I was trying to think of ways that I could make my shapes 3D using 2D pieces, so I decided to look at nets of geometric shapes to see if I could use these to mimic shapes I have produced in Solidworks and then once I have the shapes I want I will figure out the best way to make them whether it be that I use hinges or layering.

Below are the 3D shapes I have created using nets. I am going to try and create new shapes by experimenting and attaching them together. For the finished CAD design I want to have a storage box or shelf, using either translucent or mirrored Perspex.

 

Clay Extruder Stencil

For my Ceramics Project I have been experimenting with scale for my light, I have to create a stencil for the clay extruder that will give me the hollow extruded outline of my light. I had to find the correct measurements for the shape to fit into a 9.4 by 9.4 cm square for the clay to go through the extruder properly. I then produced the lights pattern in solid works using the correct sized shape and produced a prototype with a 3D printer of the finished idea which is quarter the scale to the finished light design.

 















I then had to cut the pattern out of a 11 by 11 cm sheet of alluminim, I did this by drilling holes to allow the band saw blade to go through and also holes for a construction system. I need the shapes that are in the centre of my shape to make the light hollow, so I need to hold them in place using screws, I have produced an example in solidworks to explain the idea. So far I have managed to cut out the inner shapes and they only need some filing, so now theres only the outer ring to the shape to tidy up.

For my Cad Project I have tried looking at the fibbonacci pattern and then changing it to create even patterns, changing subtle curves inside a circle and mirroring and rotating shapes. The patterns I have come up with are similar to mathematician and geometric sculptor George W. Hart who creates both 2D and 3D forms using mathematical equations, he has produced some amazingly complex work. Using the patterns I have created I want to experiment with ways of making the flat 2D shapes into 3D forms.

Sampling Clays

This week I have been creating samples of my clays, I have made 5 clays altogether and have mixed several colours together making several marbled and several fully mixed samples. This is  a table of the clay tests I have done so far, once they have been fired I will take a picture and produce a new table to say what colour has been produced.  

Coloured Clays	Expected Colour	Colour Test	Marbled Samples (Mix 1)	Fully Mixed Sample (Mix 2)
Rutile and Red Iron Oxide	Brick Red	Rutile and Red Iron Oxide	Rutile and Red Iron Oxide and Yellow Iron Oxide	Yes
Yellow Iron Oxide	Yellow	Yellow Iron Oxide	Rutile and Red Iron Oxide and Iron Oxide	Yes
Yellow Ochre and Black Iron Oxide	Black Yellow	Yellow Ochre and Black Iron Oxide	Yellow Iron Oxide and Iron Oxide	Yes
Manganese Dioxide	Dark Brown	Manganese Dioxide (Reduction)	Yellow Ochre and Black Iron Oxide and Yellow Iron Oxide	Yes
Iron Oxide	Light Brown/Purple	Manganese Dioxide (Oxidation)	Yellow Iron Oxide and Manganese Dioxide	Yes
		Iron Oxide (Reduction)	Manganese Dioxide and Iron Oxide	Yes
		Iron Oxide (Oxidation)	Rutile and Red Iron Oxide and Manganese Dioxide
			Yellow Iron Oxide and Iron Oxide and Rutile and Red Iron Oxide

To produce the marbled effect with the clays, I firstly rolled two clays into a long sausage shape and twisted the around each other into a marshmallow like shape and twisted it into a spiral and rolled it, this made Mix 1 in my table. Mix 2 is a full mix of two colours rolling and kneading the clay until no individual colour could be seen.

Coloured Clay Tests

In ceramics I have begun making my own clays, I don’t like the effect of glazing, but I still wanted to use colour in my piece, so I have made several coloured clays. So far I have made 4 bags of clay, each 3kg in weight. Different chemical powders create the colour. So far I have used, iron oxide, manganese dioxide, black iron oxide with yellow ochre and rutile with red iron oxide. I’m not sure what the outcomes will be yet, but they should all be neutral, warm shades of brown, yellow, cream and red.

I will test the colours in different firings, reduction and oxidation as I will get different colours for each. I have also experimented with marbling, I think it could give an interesting effect putting two to three colours into the extruder at a time and seeing what comes out, I like the idea of each piece being uniquely different. Recently I found that my clays weren’t holding together as well as they should and cracking with pressure so I found that adding bentonite gives the clay elasticity which has strengthened my clay, I think leaving the clay for a week to two weeks also lets the clay mature more.

I still need to experiment more with different colours I want to make at least 4 clays and use red iron oxide and yellow ochre on their own and maybe both together to hopefully produce an orange. The mixing of two coloured clays creating a marbled look is called Agateware,

‘Agateware was made in England between 1725 and 1750, and the earlier pottery was salt glazed, while the later were just covered with a colourless lead glaze. The pottery was made by mixing different colours clays or different colours of slip. In the first method the different coloured clays are usually laid in slabs, one on top of the other and beaten out to form a very big mound of clay in which the colours are mixed all together. The other method is easier to combine because it is basically clay mixed with water, making it very easy to pour. The different colours are poured together, but it is not mixed, instead a stick is pulled through maybe in a figure eight and then the slip is poured in a mould.’ Pottery Magic.

Thomas Perry uses this technique in his thrown and hand built pieces,

‘My own pleasure is derived from the process of forming a vessel while the clay can be shaped, joined, cut, and carved. I utilize white stoneware and porcelain clays because they produce smooth surfaces and respond well to colour in glazes, under glazes, and slips and also to colour within the clay itself. I often mix oxide and commercial stain colorants into these clays to integrate layered and patterned combinations with wheel-throwing and hand building. Slicing and carving into the swirling surfaces of the wheel–thrown vessels exposes variegated patterns resembling mineral and rock cores, wood grains, and exposed stratigraphic earth layers, while stretching clay slabs during hand–building distorts and expands original patterns into new designs. The result is always a surprise and reminds me of the geological processes the earth undergoes to produce the clays and glaze materials I employ. Exploring forms with the coloured clays feed new ideas for forms with single–colour clays, and vice–versa, always linking my creative cycle to history, tradition, and the earth.’ Thomas Perry.