Homework Assignment for MAT 111PF, Week 3.

Supplies

Fusion 360, 1/8'' plywood, laser cutter.

Step 1: Ideation

I was going through skyscrapers to gather inspiration for my own tower design. The Seattle Needle Tower was my main source of inspiration. I had done a simple sketch of what I initially was thinking in terms of design.

Step 2: Fusion 360

When I started to put it into Fusion 360, I initiated it with the circular top piece. This is where I had designed all the press fits into it. It is design with 4 legs, which all slight expand inwards as the reach the bottom. The press fit for the legs has no upper stabilization, allowing for a flat top area. I had added 4 upper shapes, which are press fit normally into the circular top piece. All the pieces are parameterized. I had thought of adding an "antenna", but decided it didn't look good after designing it in, so I took it out.

Step 3: Adobe + Laser Cutting

I had imported the fusion design into Adobe Illustrator and marked all the lines red for cutting. The laser cutting took about 1 minute and 30 seconds, with little hassle. All pieces came out intact and correctly.

Step 4: Outcome

Thee outcome was good, It all came together. Although the press fits were very tight and required a good amount of force to get in. I believe I may have adjusted the model a little when putting it into the laser cutting software.

Step 5: Reading Reflection

I liked the idea of utilizing loss of control to bring forth creation. I had some of that loss of control during my fabrication. I was trying to even out the upper pieces, but due to multiple things being connected I lost control over the specific thing I wanted and it created a design I liked for the pieces. It included a straight triangle design that went inwards, which I was kind of pursuing above, but not below. I decided to implement that unintentional design, which can be seen in the immediate inward slope on the upper triangular pieces.