Saturday, October 18, 2008
300mm reduced to 200mm !!
i realised that the bookshelf doesnt need to stick out too much from the wall... im just wasting the material!! so i reduced the depth of the bookshelf from 300mm to 200mm... which is still able to hold larger books like magazines =)
how it works
slotting !! =D
and by mounting onto the wall with screws !! hm... i know i didnt show that in my previous picture... cos i need to work out the size of the screw that holds the bookshelf... and im still deciding on which type of screw to use...
my magnesium bookshelf !!
woohoo !! finally finish my rhino... took me forever to change and fix some details today !
Sunday, October 5, 2008
bombay sapphire exhibition
i went to the bombay exhibition the other day... took me forever to walk there from the central station! i was quite impressed with some of the works at the exhibition =) especially the plexa#1 screen!
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Concept Development
so the bookshelf is the only one that works... during studio time rina helped me alot and said i have to work more on expressing and using the qualities and uniqueness of my material - magnesium
i have a clearer direction now - i need to come up with an effective way of joining the modules together to form the bookshelf... i think there's a lot more for me to do... in terms if thinking of a method to join and also mount them onto the wall
Thixomolding
How it works
1. chips of magnesium allow are fed into a heated screw and barrel assembly where an argon shield prevents the material from oxidizing
2. as the screw rotates inside the barrel, the magnesium is conveyed forward and heated to between 1040 – 1166F (560 – 630C), where it forms a semi-solid slurry
3. the semi-solid magnesium allow is injected into the mold at a high speed
4. the viscocity of the allow is reduced due to the materials thixotropic state, and it can therefore flow into the desired form with higher precision than casting and forging
Advantages
easily automated and controlled
high production rate
smooth filling of the die
low shrinkage porosity
lower melting temperature
higher dimensional accuracy
highly complex shapes
enhanced component properties
achieve very thin walls
My approach to the project
After researching into the material I recognized that traditional applications of magnesium demonstrate only the functionality of the material as they are used primarily for mechanical and structural purposes. They are widely and mainly utilized in the automotive and aerospace industry. And for such functional intentions, attention was focused primarily on exhibiting the properties of magnesium – light weight, superior weight-to-strength ratio, high impact and dent resistance, dimensional stability, excellent damping capacity, ease of machining, ease of welding and so on. These properties were the only appealing reasons and they were displayed and highlighted in the traditional applications of magnesium to demonstrate the functionality of the material. The application of these properties at the time identified magnesium as a metal that means light and strong. I think that the properties and functionality of magnesium were successfully highlighted. However, less attention was paid to expressing the aesthetic qualities of the material.
I noticed that recent approaches using magnesium in new products and applications explore new visual forms and qualities that can be exhibited by the material. Encouraged by Ross Lovegrove’s Go Chair, I want push the boundaries further to utilize every visual aspect of the material to produce a new application that echoes the very essence of magnesium.
The Go Chair is polished and powdered coated in white or silver. But magnesium is metal that is naturally silvery white in appearance and I think that powder coating the material in any form of colour hides its visual qualities. I want to reveal the very nature of this material’s beauty through the use of electroplating. Electroplating allows the material to achieve finishes that highlights and emphasizes its very own appearance. I aspire to enhance its metallic silvery white appearance and its sensual qualities. Traditionally we associate magnesium as a material used for structural purposes. Retaining this aspect of magnesium, I want my material to move from mechanical and geometrical structures to soft and organic forms. I want to show the gentle side of magnesium through the use of soft curves and tender forms – something that will be friendly to touch.
Often, we associate metal as ‘cold’ materials. When we touch it, it’s cold; when we see it, it’s cold. Because of this, I’d like to create a warmer feel in my design by using an electroplated satin finish. To me, the texture created out of the material conveys a warmer emotional appeal. Through the use of new visual languages exhibited by the property and visual qualities of magnesium, I want magnesium to not only say ‘light and strong’ but emotionally ‘gentle’ and visually appealing in its very nature. These visual languages are shaped by different manufacturing processes and technologies, and there are unlimited possibilities and diverse design potential for magnesium.
Concept 1 - Bookshelf
Concept 2 - Towel Rack
Concept 3 - Chair
I noticed that recent approaches using magnesium in new products and applications explore new visual forms and qualities that can be exhibited by the material. Encouraged by Ross Lovegrove’s Go Chair, I want push the boundaries further to utilize every visual aspect of the material to produce a new application that echoes the very essence of magnesium.
The Go Chair is polished and powdered coated in white or silver. But magnesium is metal that is naturally silvery white in appearance and I think that powder coating the material in any form of colour hides its visual qualities. I want to reveal the very nature of this material’s beauty through the use of electroplating. Electroplating allows the material to achieve finishes that highlights and emphasizes its very own appearance. I aspire to enhance its metallic silvery white appearance and its sensual qualities. Traditionally we associate magnesium as a material used for structural purposes. Retaining this aspect of magnesium, I want my material to move from mechanical and geometrical structures to soft and organic forms. I want to show the gentle side of magnesium through the use of soft curves and tender forms – something that will be friendly to touch.
Often, we associate metal as ‘cold’ materials. When we touch it, it’s cold; when we see it, it’s cold. Because of this, I’d like to create a warmer feel in my design by using an electroplated satin finish. To me, the texture created out of the material conveys a warmer emotional appeal. Through the use of new visual languages exhibited by the property and visual qualities of magnesium, I want magnesium to not only say ‘light and strong’ but emotionally ‘gentle’ and visually appealing in its very nature. These visual languages are shaped by different manufacturing processes and technologies, and there are unlimited possibilities and diverse design potential for magnesium.
Concept 1 - Bookshelf
Concept 2 - Towel Rack
Concept 3 - Chair
Magnesium
Rational
Background
Although magnesium itself was discovered about 100 years ago, it's application was limited due to its weak corrosion resistance and high cost. But, recently the material has been rediscovered thanks to the development of the corrosion resistant alloys and the price drop of the raw material produced in various cities including China.
Trends
Traditionally, magnesium has been used mainly in automotive and aerospace industries for mechanical and structural applications due to its unique features and properties over other existing metals and alloys; including light weight, superior weight-to-strength ratio, impact and dent resistance, dimensional stability, excellent damping capacity as well as machine-ability. The introduction of the world’s first magnesium chair in 2001 has also lead to many new applications in industries other than automotive and aerospace. Designed by Ross Lovegrove, the Go Chair emulates a fluid and futuristic style, ‘defining elegant yet functional high-tech seating that takes an anatomical approach’.
Light-weight application has become a growing worldwide trend. Magnesium has become an increasing choice due to its light weight (it is two third the weight of aluminum). This has led to its application in products such as electronic housings, eyeglass frames etc.
New Technologies & Manufacturing Processes
Thixomolding, an emerging manufacturing process similar to injection molding allows magnesium to achieve higher precision than existing casting and forging methods. It is a cost effective process that produces more complex shaped components with a thin wall, high density and high dimensional accuracy. Existing products that utilized this manufacturing process include eyeglass frames and PDA covers.
Finishing technologies include magnesium electroplating to achieve bright/dark chrome and satin appearances. Magnesium can also by powder coated with different colours. These finishing and manufacturing processes can be used to enhance the sensual qualities of magnesium while also retaining its physical properties.
Background
Although magnesium itself was discovered about 100 years ago, it's application was limited due to its weak corrosion resistance and high cost. But, recently the material has been rediscovered thanks to the development of the corrosion resistant alloys and the price drop of the raw material produced in various cities including China.
Trends
Traditionally, magnesium has been used mainly in automotive and aerospace industries for mechanical and structural applications due to its unique features and properties over other existing metals and alloys; including light weight, superior weight-to-strength ratio, impact and dent resistance, dimensional stability, excellent damping capacity as well as machine-ability. The introduction of the world’s first magnesium chair in 2001 has also lead to many new applications in industries other than automotive and aerospace. Designed by Ross Lovegrove, the Go Chair emulates a fluid and futuristic style, ‘defining elegant yet functional high-tech seating that takes an anatomical approach’.
Light-weight application has become a growing worldwide trend. Magnesium has become an increasing choice due to its light weight (it is two third the weight of aluminum). This has led to its application in products such as electronic housings, eyeglass frames etc.
New Technologies & Manufacturing Processes
Thixomolding, an emerging manufacturing process similar to injection molding allows magnesium to achieve higher precision than existing casting and forging methods. It is a cost effective process that produces more complex shaped components with a thin wall, high density and high dimensional accuracy. Existing products that utilized this manufacturing process include eyeglass frames and PDA covers.
Finishing technologies include magnesium electroplating to achieve bright/dark chrome and satin appearances. Magnesium can also by powder coated with different colours. These finishing and manufacturing processes can be used to enhance the sensual qualities of magnesium while also retaining its physical properties.
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