Project 3

Third project exploring parametric surfaces and adjusting to real-world applications according to assignment instructions

Step 1: Exploring Geometries

I found some alternative formulations online (unrelated to digital fabrication) that I found interesting, like a rotating horizontal axis that created interesting shapes. I also created new parameters to control the number of crests in the shape and combined some existing code from the lamp examples to make the tops flat

Step 2: Failed Prints

However, when I imported the geometry to cura, it was not able to slice it correctly. I tried to simplify the shape and repair the mesh using fusion360 but that did not work. I tried to print the geometry cura sliced but it was a failure and the support tore the geometry apart.

Step 3: Successful Prints

I modified the design and removed the code that flattened the top and twisted the shape and just kept the parameters that modified the number of crests that my design had. I was able to slice and print this design

Step 4: Shape Variation

I did not like how the crests fit with the lamp (which is round). I tried to use a lof function to merge the curves generated by the previous steps with a circle polyline but this operation created separated surfaces after extrusion that I was not able to join at the moment (Mert suggested changing the offset, an option I have not explored yet)

I found that I could modify the code so that the shape of the curve would change over the height using the same logic (including j as a parameter) that was used to flatten the example lamps. This way I was able to modify the curve across the length so that the crests became flat as the fixture approached the base.

Step 5: Final Results

I printed 2 versions, one using white PLA and one using wood PLA, and found that they look nice when stacked!