Studio 4 Journal, Week 2

This is the first journal entry which compliments the research and development process of my lamp design. For those who read this that aren't privileged enough to have seen the complete concept, all you need to know is that it involves a cement sphere and an Alucobond arm.

This week and the weeks leading up have been full of productivity...

• On/Off Switch
• MDF Sphere
• Latex mold Testing
• 1:1 Scale Drawing
• Light source soldering

On/Off Switch - The first iteration for mounting an on off button under the Alucobond was intended to use the plastic within the laminated sheet as a live hinge. I let a fellow student tinker with the sample I had cut, but they poked it too hard and broke the plastic. I took this on board and decided to set the button on its own mechanism. There were also some strength issues with the 3D printed parts.

So far the switch it mounted sideways with a cam  that allows for a slimmer fit than if the button was butted up against he Alucobond button.( 40mm vs 30mm) There is probably room for even tighter fitting and slimming. There will also need to be some efforts made to cut away excess material. Some adjustments have been made for a tighter track for the button to slide in and deeper travel.

MDF Sphere - In order to make accurate cement parts, I need a form to cast a mold from. Starting by laminating MDF sheet together I made a 210mm block. The laminating was done ins two parts, which meant that the MDF was able to bulge slightly, which made laminating the two parts together a little tricky. eventually I found some clamps that had enough strength to clothe the gap properly. Before I started on the large sphere, I tried turning a small one on the lathe at home which turned out pretty terrible. Learning what not to do from the smaller attempt, the large sphere turned out quite alright. I've filled some small gouges that appeared after the turning. Currently, I'm waiting for the putty to set fully before I clean up the sphere and go over it one last time to make it as rough as possible. If I deem it to be inadequate, I'll see about getting a new material and using more precise machinery in the workshop at uni.

This is more or less my method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lConTQ-cUw

I'm taking the technique of using the ghost line as a guide, but my lathe has different mounting gear.

Later Mold Testing - Before I slap a load of latex on my sphere, I though I should test some smaller objects. Also, I've borrowed a blowing ball which is almost the same size and my design to test with.

1:1 Scale Drawing - I wont upload the drawing here, but after marking out some variation and narrowing down an accurate drawing which explains the size and workings of the lamp, I'm able to start working on getting on electronics under way. In addition to that, I've moves away from the rectilinear style of arm that I originally had, moving to something with a little more angular style to suite lamp's protruding angles.

Light Source Soldering - The lighting is provided by 9 strips of LEDs that are each 15mm long. Initially I had considered a brightness adjustment, but moved away from it because of the complexity of circuitry, but since that decision I've realised I might be able to wire in a dimming button with little effort. Possibly looking at using some Acrylic as a diffuser, but it might block too much light and i will need to do some testing.