rapid prototyping

Rapid prototyping is the term for a number of computer controlled methods of building 3D objects or prototypes. It is a collection of processes, which have previously only been used only by engineering industry, but is now emerging as exciting new creating methods for artist, designers and crafts people, (see explination of the priciple of rapid prototyping).

contour range (rapid prototyping project)

The initial idea for the ‘Contour Range’ came from seeing the characteristic layered appearance on items created by ‘Rapid Prototyping’. The basic principle for Rapid Prototyping (RP) is to create 3D objects as a series of stacked 2D cross sections. Normally the visual evidence of the layers in this process is undesirable and consequently very thin layers are used to make the smoothest possible surface. However I saw the layers as having aesthetic possibility. Enlarging and emphasising them would create a strong visual feature which also reflected the nature of the construction process used.

Parallel inspiration was drawn from the height indicating contour lines on topographical maps. The method of using contour lines to build a three dimensional model of a landscape is very similar to the way that the ‘Laminated Object Manufacture’ (LOM) - rapid prototyping processes builds an object. Thin layers of paper are used to build the shape, the layers are cut with a computer controlled laser and automatically glued on top of each others using heated rollers, after hundreds or even thousands of layers a 3D model is finally created.
To initiate a soft organic look the first prototypes was developed by indenting shapes hand-thrown on a potter’s wheel. This process then had to be simulated using 3D computer modelling software to create the computer file essential for the RP machine to work from.
The file was taken to Warwick Manufacturing Unit (part of Warwick University) who carried out the first two small cup shaped models on their LOM machine using layers of 3mm MDF.

Just like a topographical interpretation of a landscape the ‘Contour Cups’ was modelled (on computer) as a completely smooth shapes and only gained the steps through the LOM process, equal to an architect's 3d-terrain model, a soft organic landscape simplified as a layered or stepped object.
Using machinery and technology beyond its normal parameters had its difficulties. Constructing from the thicker layers of MDF instead of paper meant that each piece had to be manually placed and removed, resulting in the otherwise fully automated LOM process becoming very labour intensive. Furthermore each piece had to be cut four times as the lightly powered laser struggled to cut through the MDF, with the machine having to be stopped and reset manually for each run.
The RP technology holds great potential not only for creating accurate prototypes by also for direct manufacture. However, in this case the RP were used only in the initial stages of the model/prototype. To arrive at a finished ceramic shape very conventional making skills still had to be applied. The MDF models had to be developed through series plaster and rubber moulds just to achieve the working moulds. The Rapid Prototyping process did add a unique aesthetic that would not have been be possible to replicate by traditional modelling skills.