model fabrication plans

Here is the section of the partial parametric model that will be fabricated as a physical model. It gives a clear sense of the exoskeleton ribs fitting within the cellular structure of the site parsing. The model will be a dual surface construction of mylar over stiff bristol ribs beneath of somewhat diminished dimensions to give the exoskeleton structural form, yet still allow for dynamic movement.

parametric model process

This is the update to my progress on the parametric model. Most pathways have been resolved except for a few problem areas, creating a coral like lattice work of lobster inspired exoskeletons.

PARAMETRIC MODEL PROGRESS

Having gotten my feet wet and created a digital model of a prawn in GC using static data points, the task of the weekend was to rewrite the GC script based upon this geometry, but with the added sophistication of the internal relationships distilled into as few independent characteristics upon which all other forms could be determined via reference. I was able to reduce the complexity to 5 necessary defining parameters:


- the radius of the circumcircle to the poles of the main lateral axis of the exoskeleton where the dynamic and static enclosure/support systems meet
- the angle between those points and the circumcenter
- tail length
- head length
- head height

All other dimensions and forms can be related to these parameters through a derivation of proportion, orientation, location, etc. Interestingly though, in producing this logically concise version of the geometry, I noticed that the same two common proportions kept popping in the code necessary to generate the secondary forms. 1//7 and 1/11. As I have meticulously based both my physical and digital models on the forms found in nature, this is quite insightful and possibly might hold some potential for exploitation. They are both prime numbers and therefore can not be related harmonically. Is there some particular advantage to this unique condition, or perhaps any special utility in consistently relating elements by this general proportion within differing orders of magnitude in the same structure?

NEXT STEPS
Clearly the next step is to investigate the importance and possibilities of these derivative characteristics of the geometry through an improvisation of implementation as earlier conducted with the voronoi cell structure. To do this, I will need to polish up the script of my first draft of the parametric solution to make these proportions live, and to hunt down any other mathematically significant relationships not yet parsed.

Now that I have a fully parametric model, I can begin to place the geometry in differing partial compositions within a text voronoi field of cells to investigate the next step in translating these relationships from the natural world to the architectural one.

Third, it's time to get a retracting tail joing mocked up in GC.

OVERLAP INVESTIGATION

I started thinking of other mechanical systems that take advantage of overlap to create dynamically moving curved form for specific geometric intent.



In particular I started to look at mechanics of metal wrist watch bands. All dynamically change shape in order to fit smartly with the vast array of possible different wrists, and some even make use of springs to stretch in ways that may or may not be similar to the mechanics of the prawn exoskeleton.


My research turned up a collector's item very much valued within the community of time-piece enthusiasts from the 70s named the Omega Megasonic Lobster. Unlike the more common implementation of the watch band that weaves spokes between possibly several rows, but always more than one, the lobster watch band contains only one row and moves very similarly on one axis to the lobster prawn tail.

Of course I will never be able to afford the cost necessary to acquire one of the limited number remaining in circulation, but thankfully the internet is replete with images.

PHYSICAL MODEL, VERSION II

I redid my physical model in order to get a better handle on the workings of the exoskeleton that can both dynamically retract and statically remain unmoved in different parts of the same connected system.


This is accomplished in nature through modulating the thickness of the skeleton. In constructing my first first physical model I made note that layering in the fabrication of my model could achieve the same result possibly. In the same way, it might suggest an architectural assembly to be used in the final production.


I layered stiff pieces of paper under sheets of Mylar, and stuck them together with double sided tape. Where the exoskeleton needs to remain static, the two layers have the same perimeter shape. Where they skeleton needs to move or retract, the layers have different amounts of material to achieve the needed difference in thickness at any given point to achieve overlap.


Additionally he adhesive step allows for surface tension to be used to create a less planar shape.