We 3d printed resin joints. The concept here was to create movable joints. We learnt that 3d printing does not give precise results but the resin is more flexible than ceramic or plastic.

The materials we used for the lamp are canvas and wax; both structurally unstable.

Our final project is an outcome of the experiments we had made over the weeks to study the material properties.

Laser cutting: In this exercise, we used the flexibility of canvas to our advantage by making our sphere stable by twisting it.

Laser cutting – Canvas

Milling: We created a mold from foam and casted the wax. From this experiment we figured that paraffin wax, our first choice of wax; was highly brittle and fragile when set and as a result, extremely difficult to de-mold. We experimented with micro crystalline wax, which though more opaque, was much easier to work with. We also observed that it was flexible even on setting.

molding the wax

3d Printing: We used Form lab to cast resin joints which were not as rigid as the plastic or the ceramic ones.

Resin joints

The process

After many failed attempts to try and link the two materials, we decided to reinforce the canvas with wax. By adding a layer of microcrystalline wax over the canvas, it not only strengthened it but also enhanced its flexible properties.

By this method the canvas could be molded while the wax was still slightly warm and hold the desired shape.

Reinforcing the wax with cotton fibers gave an interesting effect when light was passed through.

Experiments were also made by varying the proportion of paraffin and microcrystalline wax. But we concluded that pure microcrystalline worked best.

The Design

The concept was to create a lamp that showcased the materials in their true element. The canvas being a fabric is made to drape around the structure.  Tessellating the fabric created an added dimension.

The density varies along the length of the lamp with the top most part being highly dense with smaller triangles and openings and the bottom being less dense with larger triangles and openings.

The canvas to canvas joints were 3d printed in resin as it was tested as flexible and complimented the canvas.

The material we chose was paraffin wax. We milled foam which served as the mould. We had a couple of setbacks as paraffin is too brittle when set hence the outcome was not as clean as expected.

Canvas Sphere

Our choice of material was canvas. The challenge here being that it lacks stiffness.

The design comprises of 2 circles of 75mm diameter and 1 circle of 90mm diameter which formed our internal support systems and 25 crescents as the skin. After trial and error, we noted that a twisted arrangement of the canvas gave more structural stability. Thereby working the material’s flexibility to our advantage.

Source: http://www.fabricandart.com/purchase/Oasis-organic-cotton-fabrics/Snow.html

100% COTTON CANVAS

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION:

The chemical composition of cotton, when picked, is about 94 percent cellulose; in finished fabrics it is 99 percent cellulose. Cotton contains: carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen with reactive hydroxyl groups. Glucose is the basic unit of the cellulose molecule.

Molecular Formula of Cellulose: (C₆H₁₀O₅)_n

 MATERIAL DESCRIPTION:

Canvas is a heavy duty cotton-based fabric manufactured in a plain or twill weave that is often applied to a broad spectrum of uses. A sturdy and durable fabric often used in industrial applications, canvas is graded according to weight. It is used for making sails, tents, marquees, backpacks, and other items for which sturdiness is required. It is also popularly used by artists as a painting surface, typically stretched across a wooden frame and in the fashion industry to make handbags, shoes and cases for electronic devices.

EXTRACTION PROCESS:

Cotton fibers are extracted from the cotton seed by a process called retting. These fibers are spun into threads, which are then woven tightly into canvas.

BASIC PROPERTIES:

Compressive strength (N/m²)                        -

Tensile strength (N/m²)                                  -  400 x 10⁶ N/m²

Strength of wet cotton 20% higher

Stiffness (N/m²)                                               –  12 x 10⁹  N/m²

Density (g/cm³)                                                -  1510 kg/m³

Carbon footprint (average,KGCO2E/KG)   –  5,9 KGCO2 / ton of spun fiber

Recyclable                                                          -  Yes

Laser                                                                   –  Yes

Small Laser                                                        -  Yes

Milling                                                                 -

3dprinting                                                          -  No

ADVANTAGE IN THE CONTEXT OF DIGITAL FABRICATION:

• Cotton canvas is sturdy, at the same time stretchable, which makes it possible to stretch the material over a frame until it is taut. It is also very durable.
• It can be enlarged and reshaped according to individual requirements.
• Cotton yarns are versatile and tensile. It has water taxing effect which makes it supple and robust.
• It is easy available in the market and even on online stores.

MATERIAL SUPLIERS:

Casa Piera

Pintor Fortuny, 21
08001 Barcelona
934245401

http://www.casapiera.com/

PRICE : 

9 Euro/meter

REFERENCES:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canvas

http://readanddigest.com/what-is-canvas/

http://www.life.illinois.edu/ib/363/FIBERS.html

http://www.fao.org/docrep/007/ad416e/ad416e06.htm

http://www.sinsengguan.com/Artist%20cotton%20canvas1.html

http://cotton.missouri.edu/Classroom-Chemical%20Composition.html