The one part I found most interesting of this film was the part where they talked about Lego's.
Lego is a company that is based at Denmark, that manufactures the leading brand of building block toys. All of the bricks were injection molded.. The brick itself is nearly indestructable, and is a perfect building block for children. Some people also use it for model building. Since it is such a basic and sturdy block, it can be used to build virtually anything, and the pieces would be able to hold its place and retain the shape.
I am personally a big fan of Lego's, having played with them as a kid to build my own creations, and even now as a teenager I still enjoy the fun of building a model that looks good and can be displayed. I find the strength of the brick very amazing, how it can withstand so much weight and still remain the same.
Friday, December 19, 2014
Field Trip: El Dorado
El Dorado started out as design company that started out with the buildings around the crossroad area. They have a very small shop that had a jumpsheer, bandsaw, drillpress, and basic welding equipment. Their focus was to design and sell their products to the clients, and not to manufacture. Their products are mostly produced by other fabricators.
What I learned from this field trip was how much commitment you need to know what you're doing. If you don't love what you're doing and are able to execute the projects at a somewhat professional level, you're not ready yet. Having favorite designers is also very important, since it defines you as someone who loves design and also have someone as a goal of what kind of designer you want to become.
What I learned from this field trip was how much commitment you need to know what you're doing. If you don't love what you're doing and are able to execute the projects at a somewhat professional level, you're not ready yet. Having favorite designers is also very important, since it defines you as someone who loves design and also have someone as a goal of what kind of designer you want to become.
Field Trip: Berry Plastics
Berry Plastics is a manufacturer that predominantly makes packaging for food services. One of their main items they made were cups. The cups were injection molded, the lids are thermoplastics, and they also have a printing line for the finished cups.
Berry Plastics is probably the biggest consumer of plastic/petroleum based products in the U.S.. What I haven't realized about plastic until the field trip, is that plastic prices depend on the current petroleum prices, since plastics require petroleum to be produced.
Berry Plastics is probably the biggest consumer of plastic/petroleum based products in the U.S.. What I haven't realized about plastic until the field trip, is that plastic prices depend on the current petroleum prices, since plastics require petroleum to be produced.
Fieldtrip: Hallmark
Hallmark is the world’s best-known greeting card brand. Our Keepsake
Ornaments hang on countless Christmas trees. We create gifts and
packages you can’t wait to unwrap. - Hallmark.com
Hallmark uses lots of die cutting to get the shapes of the paper they want. They have a machine that folds and glues down envelopes so they are ready to be used. They have a printer-like machine that engraves the paper while also applying color to the paper. They also have silkscreen prints, and machines that apply glitter and nylon for textures of the cards.
The one thing I found most amusing about Hallmark was that each die was used for one job and never to be used again. The amount of cards they sell to make the mold/die profitable is amazing.
Hallmark uses lots of die cutting to get the shapes of the paper they want. They have a machine that folds and glues down envelopes so they are ready to be used. They have a printer-like machine that engraves the paper while also applying color to the paper. They also have silkscreen prints, and machines that apply glitter and nylon for textures of the cards.
The one thing I found most amusing about Hallmark was that each die was used for one job and never to be used again. The amount of cards they sell to make the mold/die profitable is amazing.
Fieldtrip: Huhtamaki
Huhtamaki, Inc. produces the most recognizable consumer goods packaging
and foodservice products, as well as the CHINET® line of premium
single-use tableware.
Huhtamaki North America is a leading manufacturer of packaging for consumer packaged goods as well as tableware, cups, folding cartons, containers, carriers, trays and serviceware for the foodservice industry and retail market.
-http://www2.us.huhtamaki.com/
Cutting: Die Cutting
Joining: PE at connection points
Finishing: Printed on graphics
Huhtamaki North America is a leading manufacturer of packaging for consumer packaged goods as well as tableware, cups, folding cartons, containers, carriers, trays and serviceware for the foodservice industry and retail market.
-http://www2.us.huhtamaki.com/
Cutting: Die Cutting
Joining: PE at connection points
Finishing: Printed on graphics
Field Trip: Lawrence Paper Company
Since 1882 Lawrence Paper Company has
partnered with companies to design, manufacture, and deliver corrugated
box and retail displays to meet today’s market needs. We combine
structure, dependability, and aesthetics to bring the best ideas to our
customers and provide them with complete packaging solutions to support
their business goals.
- http://www.lpco.co/
The Lawrence Paper Company had a lot of rollers that would process the cardboard into the basic, thin and strong cardboard that would be used for packaging. They had a printer that would print on the pattern, then it would go through die cut machines so they are ready to get folded into boxes and packaged with the product.
The scale of the factory was very amazing to see, giant rolls of paper almost like a real forest. It was also amazing to see how fast paper/cardboard is being produced.
- http://www.lpco.co/
The Lawrence Paper Company had a lot of rollers that would process the cardboard into the basic, thin and strong cardboard that would be used for packaging. They had a printer that would print on the pattern, then it would go through die cut machines so they are ready to get folded into boxes and packaged with the product.
The scale of the factory was very amazing to see, giant rolls of paper almost like a real forest. It was also amazing to see how fast paper/cardboard is being produced.
The Electronic Wasteland - CBS 60 Minutes
Computers, TVs, cellphones. These are all electronics we use everyday. Yet we never know what harmful things are within these daily objects.
These harmful things are being dumped into countries that don't have the technology to properly process these harmful materials. We as consumers have to be aware of where our used products are being recycled so that less fortunate countries are not affected by it. We should be careful as to where we recycle these things, so that our earth can stay a safe place ti live.
These harmful things are being dumped into countries that don't have the technology to properly process these harmful materials. We as consumers have to be aware of where our used products are being recycled so that less fortunate countries are not affected by it. We should be careful as to where we recycle these things, so that our earth can stay a safe place ti live.
Field Trip: Design Innovations
There are thousands of design firms. There are hundreds of builders.
But there are very few who do it well under one roof. If you’re thinking of spreading your project across separate design and build firms, be ready: you'll get designs you love that move into production before you realize your project budget is blown. Then it's back to the drawing board.
Our ability to design and estimate concurrently, plus our experience building thousands of projects means our creativity and your budget are always in sync.
-www.dimin.com/
Design Innovations has large workshop with jump sheers, bandsaws, laser cutters, various tools and all that. Yet, that is not the interesting thing about Design Innovations.
The smaller workshops near the end of the field trip was the best part. There were prototypes and products about to get finished everywhere. Being in the environment of such a private workspace was a great experience that one would not see everyday. It reminded me of days in BDS classes and the feeling of being surrounded by constantly evolving prototypes.
But there are very few who do it well under one roof. If you’re thinking of spreading your project across separate design and build firms, be ready: you'll get designs you love that move into production before you realize your project budget is blown. Then it's back to the drawing board.
Our ability to design and estimate concurrently, plus our experience building thousands of projects means our creativity and your budget are always in sync.
-www.dimin.com/
Design Innovations has large workshop with jump sheers, bandsaws, laser cutters, various tools and all that. Yet, that is not the interesting thing about Design Innovations.
The smaller workshops near the end of the field trip was the best part. There were prototypes and products about to get finished everywhere. Being in the environment of such a private workspace was a great experience that one would not see everyday. It reminded me of days in BDS classes and the feeling of being surrounded by constantly evolving prototypes.
Design and Thinking Documentary
Keep making and don't stop thinking.
From this documentary, I have learned that failing is not a bad thing. Even if you fail so hard that you don't know how to fix it, you should still keep making and creating new ideas. It is fine if your idea fails, but keep on trying to make new ideas until you see a connection. Stopping to figure out the problem sometimes doesn't work. When that happens, just keep moving. It is always a good idea to keep the thought process going.
From this documentary, I have learned that failing is not a bad thing. Even if you fail so hard that you don't know how to fix it, you should still keep making and creating new ideas. It is fine if your idea fails, but keep on trying to make new ideas until you see a connection. Stopping to figure out the problem sometimes doesn't work. When that happens, just keep moving. It is always a good idea to keep the thought process going.
Materials - Metals
Ferrous - Metals that are magnetic, and contain a certain amount of Iron.
Non Ferrous - Metals that do not contain a noticeable amount of Iron.
Alloy - Metals combined to form a metal with different properties.
Ferrous
Iron - a sturdy, heavy material usually used as some sort of fastener part or the structure of something big (buildings)
Steel - a ferrous, malleable metal that more purposes and can be used on a variety of heavy duty parts.
Non Ferrous
Aluminum Alloy - a non ferrous metal that is lightweight and is incredibly malleable. Used in cans, and parts that have to be thin and lightweight.
Magnesium Alloy- metal with a high weight-strength ratio. Can be reused in lots of cycles. Used for cast parts, or welding.
Titanium Alloys - Three kinds of titanium: Alpha, Alpha-Beta, Beta. Each has varying traits regarding heat treatment and welding traits.
Zinc - Mostly used for protective coating, due to its lack of strength.
Copper Alloys - good conductive properties, and does not corrode easily. Lacks strength in high temperatures.
Nickel Alloys - Incredibily strong metal, one of the highest in strength under high temperature. Useful in structures.
Lead and Tin Alloys - Incredibly malleble metals, metals that can be used for soldering or as an alloy.
Precious Metals - Most common ones are gold and silver. used as coatings or in jewelery and products that convey luxury.
Non Ferrous - Metals that do not contain a noticeable amount of Iron.
Alloy - Metals combined to form a metal with different properties.
Ferrous
Iron - a sturdy, heavy material usually used as some sort of fastener part or the structure of something big (buildings)
Steel - a ferrous, malleable metal that more purposes and can be used on a variety of heavy duty parts.
Non Ferrous
Aluminum Alloy - a non ferrous metal that is lightweight and is incredibly malleable. Used in cans, and parts that have to be thin and lightweight.
Magnesium Alloy- metal with a high weight-strength ratio. Can be reused in lots of cycles. Used for cast parts, or welding.
Titanium Alloys - Three kinds of titanium: Alpha, Alpha-Beta, Beta. Each has varying traits regarding heat treatment and welding traits.
Zinc - Mostly used for protective coating, due to its lack of strength.
Copper Alloys - good conductive properties, and does not corrode easily. Lacks strength in high temperatures.
Nickel Alloys - Incredibily strong metal, one of the highest in strength under high temperature. Useful in structures.
Lead and Tin Alloys - Incredibly malleble metals, metals that can be used for soldering or as an alloy.
Precious Metals - Most common ones are gold and silver. used as coatings or in jewelery and products that convey luxury.
What Influences Product Design? - Reflection
Product Design is influences by a multitude of things. Some of these factors include the market, technology, sustainability, economics, aesthetics and industrial design, product life, and evolution. Though it is a very long list, these are all things that influence a customer's likelihood of purchasing a product. For example, some people are going to prefer the wristwatch over a pocket watch and vice versa. The pocket watch has a certain aesthetic that some people may like. The wristwatch might be more preferred because of the technology and how it is easier to carry around. The job of the designer is to find the target market they want to sell this item towards, and provide theses factors into the designing of the product to increase the chances that the consumer will buy your product.
Function & Personality - Reflection
Most designed objects serve some sort of functional purpose, such as making phone calls or get us from place to place. Then there are ones that are just symbolic or decorative, such as a painting, or a sculpture. However, what a designer should really strive for is to blend the two, and to not focus too much on either. There may be appeal if there is one of the aspects, but sometimes that does not draw enough appeal for the consumer to purchase it. If there is both, the consumer is more likely to think it is "worth their money". Hence, a designed product should have a defined functional purpose, and also provide a sense of personality that gives delight to the consumer other than its primary function.
Field Trip - Zahner
Zahner is an engineering design consultancy and fabrication shop known for realizing the visions of architects from Frank Gehry to Zaha Hadid. Since its establishment in 1897, the company's engineers and fabricators have been at the forefront of innovative design and fabrication for a variety of artistic disciplines. From the use of aerospace engineering of curving facades to developing and applying patented technologies, innovation is at the core of Zahner. The museum-level craft and engineering that Zahner consistently provides can be found in North and South America, Europe and Asia.
Zahner primarily manufactures projects engineered by its Design Assist team, a practice the company developed in the late 20th century to give clients power to directly control quality, cost, and schedule. Design Assist consistently saves money for owners. This is achieved by expertise, automation strategies, and analytical processes which occur at the beginning of each project.
- azahner.com
Zahner uses a multitude of power tools to achieve the look that the customer wants. Most of what Zahner works with is some form of metal. They use a water jet to perform cuts into the material, special punches that make different shapes onto the surface, and a grand multitude of methods to achieve surface textures that are drastically different from the original material.
Zahner works with prototypes that are at such a grand scale; most of the prototypes are 1/1 scale that are placed right behind the factory. It is amazing to be able to see what more or less what the finished product will look like right in front of you.
Zahner primarily manufactures projects engineered by its Design Assist team, a practice the company developed in the late 20th century to give clients power to directly control quality, cost, and schedule. Design Assist consistently saves money for owners. This is achieved by expertise, automation strategies, and analytical processes which occur at the beginning of each project.
- azahner.com
Zahner uses a multitude of power tools to achieve the look that the customer wants. Most of what Zahner works with is some form of metal. They use a water jet to perform cuts into the material, special punches that make different shapes onto the surface, and a grand multitude of methods to achieve surface textures that are drastically different from the original material.
Zahner works with prototypes that are at such a grand scale; most of the prototypes are 1/1 scale that are placed right behind the factory. It is amazing to be able to see what more or less what the finished product will look like right in front of you.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Sketches of Frank Gehry - Film
Sketches of Frank Gehry is a 2006 American documentary film directed by Sydney Pollack and produced by Ultan Guilfoyle, about the life and work of the Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry. The film was screened out of competition at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. Pollack and Gehry had been friends and mutual admirers for years. The film features footage of various Gehry-designed buildings, including a hockey arena for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The film includes interviews with other noted figures. - Wikipedia
Frank Gehry has designed a multitude of different buildings, ranging from hockey arenas, museums, to even his own house (which he used extensively as a testbed). His design of architecture is very organic and sometimes even feels impossible (in the case of the Guggenheim Museum). It is so eye catching it has become the defining building of its location.
Throughout the documentary, he uses a method of prototyping that was very fast and clean. This method of prototyping engages the designer team and promotes collaboration. It is definitely a method that should be widely used.
Frank Gehry has designed a multitude of different buildings, ranging from hockey arenas, museums, to even his own house (which he used extensively as a testbed). His design of architecture is very organic and sometimes even feels impossible (in the case of the Guggenheim Museum). It is so eye catching it has become the defining building of its location.
Throughout the documentary, he uses a method of prototyping that was very fast and clean. This method of prototyping engages the designer team and promotes collaboration. It is definitely a method that should be widely used.
Matthias Pliessinig - Hallmark Speaker
Matthias Pliessnig is an acclaimed furniture designer based in Philadelphia whose work uses steam bent wood. His style is "kinetically contemporary" and he uses "computer-aided curves with laborious craftsmanship" to handcraft chairs and benches.
Pliessnig is a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design and the University of Wisconsin (Madison). His interest in woodworking developed after he decided to build a boat and was inspired to apply those techniques, particularly steam bending of wood strips around a mold, to furniture making. The New York Times reported that his studio "looks more akin to a boat-builder’s garage than an icy SoHo loft, which makes sense when you consider the lunular shapes of Pliessnig’s chairs."-Wikipedia
Matthias uses only steam bent wood to achieve the unique forms of furniture he creates. He uses 3D modeling programs as a form of sketching, to get most of the contour lines and the looks of the finished product. All of his work are joined and cut by hand, using lots of clamps to form the shape, and various powered saws to cut the material. The furniture is then finished and sanded by hand, then shipped through handmade boxes that are sturdy and can withstand overseas transportation.
I find it amusing that he encourages us to design and make through traditional processes. He likes the tools of digital modeling, but embraces the skill that goes behind handmade products, which are skills that cannot be replaced by machines.
Pliessnig is a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design and the University of Wisconsin (Madison). His interest in woodworking developed after he decided to build a boat and was inspired to apply those techniques, particularly steam bending of wood strips around a mold, to furniture making. The New York Times reported that his studio "looks more akin to a boat-builder’s garage than an icy SoHo loft, which makes sense when you consider the lunular shapes of Pliessnig’s chairs."-Wikipedia
Matthias uses only steam bent wood to achieve the unique forms of furniture he creates. He uses 3D modeling programs as a form of sketching, to get most of the contour lines and the looks of the finished product. All of his work are joined and cut by hand, using lots of clamps to form the shape, and various powered saws to cut the material. The furniture is then finished and sanded by hand, then shipped through handmade boxes that are sturdy and can withstand overseas transportation.
I find it amusing that he encourages us to design and make through traditional processes. He likes the tools of digital modeling, but embraces the skill that goes behind handmade products, which are skills that cannot be replaced by machines.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Field Trip - Star Signs
Star Signs, LLC provides custom fabrication and installation of commercial signs and large architectural signage
and graphics products. We provide complete project management to ensure
the success of each project. In design and fabrication, we balance
issues of design, technology, quality and cost to ensure we fulfill the
expectations and vision of our customer. -starsignsllc.com
Star Signs mostly uses aluminum as a base material for their signs, with the combination of using polycarbon, photopolymer, acrylics, and vinyls. The materials are cut with jump sheers or a CNC router, then painted with automotive grade paint or applied with printed vinyl/polymer/acrylic graphics. They use welding and joining processes that don't intrude the looks a sign should have. Star Signs has a very precise and simple way of putting together their products, which is very impressive in my opinion.
Star Signs mostly uses aluminum as a base material for their signs, with the combination of using polycarbon, photopolymer, acrylics, and vinyls. The materials are cut with jump sheers or a CNC router, then painted with automotive grade paint or applied with printed vinyl/polymer/acrylic graphics. They use welding and joining processes that don't intrude the looks a sign should have. Star Signs has a very precise and simple way of putting together their products, which is very impressive in my opinion.
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Field Trip: the Reuter Organ Company
The Reuter Organ Company is a local company of Lawrence, Kansas since 1917. They have designed and built around 22,000 custom organs and repaired about the same amount of organs. They design, build, and sell organs that are commissioned by people all around the globe. It is one of the only four companies in the U.S. that provide the full package of original parts manufactured and built by the company .
The Reuter Organ Company usually designs and builds organs for the specific setting and surroundings. Clients usually include churches, auditoriums, colleges, and sometimes even a private residence. The prices usually range from $500,000 to about $2,000,000.
The Reuter Organ Company manufactures their own material and parts for building an organ. The pipes of the organ are divided into two categories, pipes that are 4 feet or less, and the ones that are 4 feet and above. Pipes that are 4 feet and below are made with an alloy of 50% tin and 50% lead. This formula is used so that it sounds good, but other companies might use different formulas. They start of as ingots that are smelted, and then poured and cooled off as sheets of metal. The longer pipes are made out of copper, since the length and weight of the pipe can only be sustained by using a stronger metal. After the materials are created, they are hammered onto a circular mold until they form the shape of a pipe. After that, they will be welded and sealed off to complete the function of a pipe.
The wood that is used in the organs would be designated by the client, as they do not directly affect how the organ functions as an instrument. The wood would only affect how the exterior of the organ looks, and not how it sounds. The keys of the organ also only affect the looks and not the performance of the instrument. They come in bone, wood, or plastic depending on the look and overall aesthetics of the instrument compared to the surroundings of the organ.
One of the main attractions to the Reuter Organ Company is the CNC Router that is used to cut specific patterns on the wood panels that would be displayed on the exterior of the organ. This method is more efficient than hand cutting the patterns, since only a computer and a designed program will be required to do any complex pattern. This takes out a lot of the errors that can be encountered while cutting out patterns by hand.
Overall, on this trip to the factory of the organs, I got an idea of the time it takes to hand make and create a product that is long lasting and well designed. The profit of making organs is very scarce. Yet despite that, these people still put in the effort and love into creating these products, so that they can truly make a wonderful product that will serve a lifetime.
The Reuter Organ Company usually designs and builds organs for the specific setting and surroundings. Clients usually include churches, auditoriums, colleges, and sometimes even a private residence. The prices usually range from $500,000 to about $2,000,000.
The Reuter Organ Company manufactures their own material and parts for building an organ. The pipes of the organ are divided into two categories, pipes that are 4 feet or less, and the ones that are 4 feet and above. Pipes that are 4 feet and below are made with an alloy of 50% tin and 50% lead. This formula is used so that it sounds good, but other companies might use different formulas. They start of as ingots that are smelted, and then poured and cooled off as sheets of metal. The longer pipes are made out of copper, since the length and weight of the pipe can only be sustained by using a stronger metal. After the materials are created, they are hammered onto a circular mold until they form the shape of a pipe. After that, they will be welded and sealed off to complete the function of a pipe.
The wood that is used in the organs would be designated by the client, as they do not directly affect how the organ functions as an instrument. The wood would only affect how the exterior of the organ looks, and not how it sounds. The keys of the organ also only affect the looks and not the performance of the instrument. They come in bone, wood, or plastic depending on the look and overall aesthetics of the instrument compared to the surroundings of the organ.
One of the main attractions to the Reuter Organ Company is the CNC Router that is used to cut specific patterns on the wood panels that would be displayed on the exterior of the organ. This method is more efficient than hand cutting the patterns, since only a computer and a designed program will be required to do any complex pattern. This takes out a lot of the errors that can be encountered while cutting out patterns by hand.
Overall, on this trip to the factory of the organs, I got an idea of the time it takes to hand make and create a product that is long lasting and well designed. The profit of making organs is very scarce. Yet despite that, these people still put in the effort and love into creating these products, so that they can truly make a wonderful product that will serve a lifetime.
Show and Tell/How it's Made: Transformers Action Figure
Function: Toy, Transform, Display Piece
Personality: Fun, Cool, Intuitive, Childish
Who Makes it: Designed by Takara Tomy of Japan, Franchise owned by Hasbro.
Markets: Children, generally boys, Transformers Collectors.
Materials: ABS & PVC Plastic, Metal for the Screws.
Forming Technology: ABS & PVC Injection Molding, Screws formed by layering metal wire.
Cutting Technology: Factory Workers Cutting off parts with Spruce Cutters.
Finishing Technology: Assembled and Painted by Workers
Overall Impressions: I personally have a collection of action figures and toys. Transformers is only a
small part of my collection, but they are unique in their own way because of the function of transforming and the complex mechanics and ideas that were put in while designing these toys.
Research: Transformers was a toy franchise that was started by Japan in the 1980's. It has been successful and has continued to evolve and grow to this day. Now it is one of the most well known toy lines in the US known for its intuitive design and reliability that has been built up over the past few decades.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
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