01 Sketching
01 Box
Description
I started my fabrication process with creating a box (following the class instruction).
Materials Used
- Band saw
- Dripp press
- Hand drill
- Clamps
- Disk sander
- Belt sander
Reflection
Through this process, i get to use and get experience with various tools and are more prepared for the future fabrication works.
02 Automaton
Description
The tasks here is to create 5 of something.
I chose to represent my family—my father, my mother, my two cats, and myself—as the five elements in my automaton. I crafted small wooden pieces for each family member and desiged the mechanism to allow them to move up and down.
Materials Used
- Wood
- Bamboo stick
- Band saw
- Wood glue
- Belt sander
- Hand drill
Problem
It wasn’t entirely successful because it couldn’t move properly. I made the round pieces using a band saw and then sanded them, but since they were handmade, they weren’t perfectly round. As a result, the automaton gets stuck when turning. Additionally, I used bamboo sticks for connections, but they weren’t strong enough and bent easily.
Reflection
Throught this not so successful experience, I learned a lot:
- Precision: Fabrication requires high precision, and accurate measurement and manufacturing must be ensured.
- Importance of material: The stick didn’t have enough strength to support the mechanism properly.
- Weight: It is important to consider the weight of materials. They need to be light enough for smooth movement but also heavy enough to prevent getting stuck in the air.
03 Gear Practice
Description
This is my first experiencing with designing and making gears using laser cutter. :D
Materials Used
- Woodboard
- Laser Cutter
- Woodglue
- Wood
- Band saw
- Belt sander
Reflection
I learned how the size of gears affects the turning speed. A larger gear should be used to drive a smaller gear for better efficiency.
04 Gear Enclosure
Description
I further experimented with using gears, and this time, I created a gear mechanism that can open the enclosure.
Materials Used
- Acrylic plastic sheet
- Laser cutter
- Glue gun
Reflection
One important lesson I learned from the challenges of connecting gears is that it's not just about the distance between them to make the teeth fit together. It's also crucial to control their positioning—keeping the center fixed while allowing rotation and ensuring that the gears stay aligned on the same plane so the teeth can properly connect.
05 The False Turn
Description
The theme of this project is to critique how businessmen and capitalists harm the environment. In front of the media, they promote their sustainability efforts, but in reality, they only care about profit. I used gears to create a turning mechanism that reveals these two contrasting sides.
Materials Used
- Cardboard
- Acrylic plastic sheet
- Laser cutter
- Glue gun
- Acrylic rod and tube
- Sand paper
- Disc sander
Reflection
I gained valuable experience in designing gears and assembling the entire mechanism. For future projects, I should be more careful with gluing and connections to ensure a cleaner and more polished final look.
The End: Conclusion
Yay! Thank you so much! Very fun and meaningful learning experience!!
