Refabricating classics
Digital fabrication of design masterpieces
Abstract
The digital fabrication course was about re-interpreting masterpiece design objects and thinking about how they could be upgraded to be used with modern entertainment and communication technologies and platforms.
The goal was to get inspired by an iconic object and find an exciting idea on how it could still be helpful and fit in today's digital lifestyle if re-purposed and upgraded but by keeping the original iconic physical design.
The constraints were that the object had to be designed in 3D in Fusion 360, fabricated using the 3D printer, laser cutter, and CNC milling machine, and use the smartphone or tablet as an internal device to make it a functional object by using an already existing application from the app store.
Datas
year
2019
scope
MAIND SUPSI, Digital Fabrication Course, teaching
collaboration
Students
Ana Gasharova, Anne Kwaro, Artur Strupka, Eleonora Zorzi, Giulia Albertini, Ivana Moreno Santos, Julian Jagan, Maria Emilia Kaitazoff, Michele Cutolo, Mihir Joshi, Rishabh Hattikudur, Sara Palmiotti, Serena Vernola, Sidharth Nangavaram
links
process
In barely two weeks, the students learned how to use the CAD program Fusion 360 to be able to design and model 3D objects with digital fabrication in mind by taking into consideration the limits and opportunities of each machine at their disposal, like the 3D printer, laser cutter, and CNC milling machine. Of course, they also learned how to use those machines and prepare and export the files.
For the CNC machine, the files were prepared using the CAM work-space of Fusion 360 to generate the g-code file without needing external software for it (convenient for prototyping, updating the tool paths after any design modification, and directly exporting to the machine to cut).
After these guided parts of the course with many practical exercises, the brief was revealed, and the individual project started to take shape from the concept and design point of view. Lots of prototyping had been done in the days that followed with many interesting tricks and clever solutions invented to mainly be able to have a good touch contact with the screen when the buttons were pressed.
But that wasn't all; every project had its challenge that needed to be solved, like laser-cutted wood bending covers held by magnets, 3D printed conductive back springing buttons, rotating handles with gears to move the cursor, hinges mechanism for covers, bouncing reflector for the camera flash, and much more.
The course was very satisfying; the results speak for themselves.
FabTV by Mihir Joshi, youtube based TV Good rest by Maria Emilia Kaitazoff, smart bedside table alarm, watch, spotify player, light, and more T-Fab by Eleonora Zorzi, game boy inspired console with interchangeable interface cover to fit the various games Speeky by Artur Strupka, audio recorder an player Phonosuper RH08 by Rishabh Hattikudur, soundcloud based audio player with scratching function WalkMaind by Ana Gasharova, sony walkman reproduction fast forward adn rewind function Sidogram by Sidharth Nangavaram, DJ console vinyl player with video effects screen for the audience Valentype by Serena Vernola, collaborative typewriting via cloud based on google docs InstagramTV by Anne Kwaro, Instagram TV player Sleeping bubbles by Ivana Moreno Santos, alarm lamp for bedside table Smart Pong by Julian Jagan, pong game Modern cuisine radio by Sara Palmiotti, FM radio player FlashFx by Giulia Albertini, instagram and photo app camera
skills
- Teaching
- 3D printing
- Lasercutting