Silicon and Acrylic
This weekend we got motor-extruded caulk onto our micro controller-controlled rotating platforms.
Since we are still getting acquainted with the medium, we were only able to generate flat designs. Flow rates, cure times and data for how high we can stack/layer beads is still in process. We had hoped to have a form built up by Sunday, but were happy with all the progress nevertheless.
Silicon Extruder
Here’s what I think is the easiest way to build the silicon dispenser. It’s 45″ tall.
The Crayola Session
Today we experimented with crayons. We gradually heated a hot melt glue gun (that we adapted for crayons) starting at 109 degrees, we notched up the temperature with a rheostat until the crayons melted enough to extrude a bead. At about 113 degrees it worked. We notched the temp up to 127 degrees to try different viscosities of melted wax and feed rates. We discovered that crayons need to be preheated – so a heat tube on an extruder should be the length of the crayon.
We also discovered the pitfalls with melted crayons. The hardened beads are very brittle and, even though it seemed great that they harden in seconds after being extruded, they do not self adhere well. Whatever we create with crayons will probably be very delicate.
So, even though the experiments were encouraging, and they clarified some design questions, we are migrating to a more consistant and robust medium for now. latex caulk (mostly because of time and deadline considerations).
Electric Balsa
Finally on acrylic discs and illuminated pedestals, we were very pleased. Excited to see what the next step their evolution will look like.
Building Balsa Cities
Two weeks wasn’t really enough time but it was enough to start dreaming about balsa cities.
Airplane Models to Balsa Light Sculptures
This will happen again and again… and I better be careful what I say. I told Wendy that always wanted to play with those balsa wood airplane models – but discard the plans and build ’em into odd structures. We met Yvonne and Colby in the west-side’s longest standing RC Model shop, Evett’s.
Balsa Light Assemblies
Theory: Working with die cut airplane models.
Deviating from kit blueprints.
During the construction there was a desire to build out more organic forms that suggested another functionality while maintaining some intrinsic qualities of the components (ie. airplanes, wings, fuselage…).
To some, the maquettes seemed like structures built from the scraps of a techno-industrial society