Synapse

There is a dual purpose for printing a 3D model. 1. Since he shape of the lamp is organic, the 3D print can provide the quickest, cheapest and most accurate  parts to test the final shape and size of the Synapse lamp 2. The parts will then be used to create a silicon mold for the final resin part. Step I: Making final design adjustments in Rhinos Software. After making a quick model from clay, testing some initial renderings, and researching and purchasing electrical parts, some adjustments are made to the final design: 1. Reduce the lamp bottom to 3 parts. So the final lamp will have 6 parts. 2. Increase the diameter volume of the lamp so it can fit the metal cord and all lighting components. Step II:  Preparing the 3D model in Rhinos before print 1. Divide each of the lamp resin parts into separate files. (a total of 6 Rhino files)  2. Prepare each file for conversion in Rhinos Check edges (command analysis - edge tools ...

Ban Mo Electric Market Bangkok Ban Mo is Bangkok's large electrical market that stretches over blocks of outdoor and indoor shops and stalls. It is situated right on the outskirts of  Bangkok China Town. ( see Map ) A trip to Ban Mo market is an experience to itself and one can get dizzy from the amount of products available, from any possible type electrical part and device to outdoor repair stalls and custom  order shops.  Luckily I was accompanied by my Thai friend who is a frequent visitor and knew which shop to select.   By the end of the trip, my shopping bag of consists of 710 baht of electrical components that I will try to use on the Synapse first prototype: 1. A ceiling hanging lamp. (60 Baht) I picked it for the flexible metal cord which I will cut out. 2. 12 volt LED bulb for the task light, warm white light (40 Baht) 3. LED strip circular plate 30mm for mood lighting, white light (100 Baht) 4. LED light strip, white light...

For making the quick model, I choose to experiment with 2 materials: 1. Foam 2. Clay Foam: The method I chose was to build up a pyramid of foam pieces and then carve out the shape. First I printed two different side views of the lamp in real scale 1:1.  Then, I cut each foam in smaller circles and glued them in a stack.  To make a model with foam it is best to use a high density foam. My first mistake was that the foam I bought had low density, so it was far from ideal to carve out shapes, especially organic and curved. My second mistake was using high solvent glue. (which was recommended to me at the supply shop). Not only  did the glue smell very strong, it also melted the foam. The pieces, didn't really glue together. In summary, it was a real mess. **See my next blog post , name: "Example of foam experimentation for model making" demonstrating a different, and more successful, way of using Foam, which was used in a p...

The main objective in the quick model is to verify the volume of the lamp, its proportion and assist in figuring out how to incorporate lighting and interaction. Preparation Steps for quick model making: Step 1 - Printed  Parts Base Scale 1:1 1. Print plan 1:1.  Step 2 - finding a suitable test lamp The top and bottom parts of the Synapse lamp mirror each other. Parts 1-3 can be duplicated. 2. Find lighting options to use in the model for testing . I found an old IKEA reading lamp that seized to work. I liked the compact shape and function of the light head which seems to potentially fit into the Synapse task light portion. If I can fix it, I can test the lighting angel without having to purchase another light. Luckily, I get a mechanic to fix the light and it works for testing Step 3 - Verifying Measurements 3.  Verify printed plan measurements I want to ensure that the lighting and technical elements ...