Dynamic Tower - part 2

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So here is my model of the assembled parts I created in my previous post. For some reason I am having errors with my constraints when I save them. The modules should all rotate at the same angle. This was working when I first set the relationships up, but when I saved the file and reopened it it read the parameters differently for some reason. I also ran into an issue with output features. When making my parts, I would use output features to generate the solids, but sometimes the output features would disappear after they had been used to generate a solid. This created a problem because i could not use them to create other solids or pockets.

Dynamic Tower

This week I chose to make the dynamic tower, which is composed of a series of core modules stacked on top of each other, with floor plates which slide over them. I modeled the core and floor module, and then created a variation of the core module which will allow the tower to bend.































After making these parts I created a product and am currently working on assembling them. I am linking the floors to the core with a angle parameter, so i can control the rotation, and the angle of the bending cores is controlled by a parameter in the part, so the amount of bending can be controlled.

Tutorial2 - Burj Dubai

This week I chose to model the Burj Dubai instead of continuing to work the the Toledo Glass Museum. I felt like this was a better choice for this assignment because the Glass Museum does not have much sectional variation. I first drew the plan, and then created three other sketches which contained the splines for the different towers.


















Variation 1
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In the first variation, I set up a series of relationships between the heights of the towers. Each tower's height is set to a formula which makes it equal to the height of the tower behind it, but divided by a factor parameter.














Variation 2
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With this variation, I kept the parameters from the previous iteration, but adjusted the height of the tallest tower, instead of just changing the factor parameter.






















Variation 3

In this variation I set the height of the towers to be inversely proportional to the width of each tower's base.




























Variation 4
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Here I set up relationships between the height of the towers on the left and the height of the towers on the right. The height of each of the towers on the left is equal to the height of its corresponding tower on the right side, but divided by a factor. Variation can be created by changing the factor, or by manually changing the heights of the towers on the right.























Variation 5
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In this final variation, I kept the same parameters as variation 4, but edited the formula for the heights of the towers so that the towers on the left are inversely proportional to the height of the towers on the right.

Paramod: assigment one

For this assignment I chose to use the plan of Sanaa's Toledo Glass Museum. The plan for this building seems to have a very definite set of relationships, which I thought we be interesting to explore parametrically.

While drawing the plan, I identified and included a few different variables or parameters which seemed to be embedded in the logic of the plan. These parameters included the the distance between the modules, the three different sizes of fillets on the modules, and the x and y dimensions of the overall plan. For the space between the modules, I created three different length parameters, and divided them up randomly so that these gaps could be different sizes. I also set the sizes of some of the modules to be proportional to a parameter.

This first variation is created by changing the parameter which controls the length of the plan. This shows how the footprint of the building can be manipulated, and the interior can still react and make the plan function.(click on the image to view the animation. For some reason I cannot get gifs to work correctly on blogger.)

From Paramod

This next variation is created by changing the parameter governing the largest fillets.

From Paramod

This variation is a result of adjusting the parameter which controls the size of some of the modules. This could be used to allow the plan to react to shifts in program requirements. Modules which required more square footage could be enlarged, and the neighboring modules could shrink in reaction.

From Paramod

This parameter adjusts the space between some of the modules. When the parameter is at its max, open spaces begin to develop between some of the modules. This could be a way of introducing secondary programs to the plan, and stuffing them between the existing modules.

From Paramod

In this final iteration, all of the spaces between the modules is increased. This could cause the these spaces to be used for the circulation, and not just separation.

From Paramod

Finally, I did a couple of variations by just pushing and pulling lines, instead of adjusting an entire parameter.

Closing Remarks

The last week has given me some time to reflect on the course and what I learned from it. During our review, John Marshall asked us a question about what moment during the course we felt like things started working for us as a team. At the time I couldn't think of an answer, and I wasn't sure what had changed for me personally that made the team work better, but know I think I understand what happened. There was a moment about three or four weeks before the project was due, that I realized that there was no way that our team was going to have a great project, or at least a project that would satisfy me. I came to terms with this, and decided that I would rather have a decent project than no project at all. For me, that is when our team started working together the best. I stopped trying to push the project in the direction I wanted it to go, and just went with what everyone else wanted to do. As a result, I was able to put a lot of time and energy into the project without arguing with my team mates.

Assembly

Assembly is going pretty good. We have all of our pieces fabricated except for the wooden panels, and the aluminum which we are water jetting right now. Hopefully we can get everything put together tomorrow night so that we have Wednesday and Thursday to wire it and install it in the gallery.

production

We have finally started making stuff! the first of our pieces have been fabricated. 2 sheets of acrylic were lazer cut, and we have started water jetting our aluminum pieces, although we have run into some time issues there. The pieces we have made so far all fit together properly, so hopefully the servos and panels work just as well. One thing I am a little concerned about is the weight. After carrying the three sheets of we ordered, me and pete realized how heavy this thing is going to be. I am hoping the bottom modules can carry the weight of those on top of them.