Currently, the studio’s only method of physical model making is
3D printing; while this in an excellent option for the office to have,
having it alone limits our means of expression. The architectural
model is both a tool for communication and process of exploration.
The model is used to visually explain a design concept to a client
as well as work through design iterations with staff. As such,
developing novel materials and methodologies will simultaneously
bolster the Houston Studio’s efforts in Design Excellence as well as
Living Design, Sustainability, and Well-Being.
Just as the building industry can be wasteful, so too can the
architectural ideation process. Copious amounts of single-use
material are used and later discarded. Some of these materials are
also problematic due to their toxicity. Instead of limiting the ideation
process, our project seeks to reuse discarded material as source
material for a closed loop system of model making.
The first step in our process involved researching the appropriate type
of 3d printing process for our study which resulted in the selection of
a stock desktop 3d printer modified with a drive screw method of
printing. Selecting a desktop printer was important to us because it
is not only economical, but allows for accessibility and possible
future replication.
After the initial Ender 3 Pro set up we began 3d printing parts needed
for our syringe holder and mount, sourced from a YouTube tutorial that
we referenced heavily for the initial design. Simulataneously we began
sourcing the hardware necessary for assembly as well as the various
electrical compoonents required to rewire select portions of the stock
machine. As we were initially interested in experimenting with various
model making materials we chose to utilize a mobile exchange plate that
can swap out tool heads almost seemlessly. This capability allows us to
still utilize the printer as intended with PLA filament if necessary but
also have the capability to attach a paste extruder for experimental
filaments as well as the potential for a laser for etching or a pen for
automated drawings and more.
The above images show the rewiring process of the stock hot end wire
bundle into the new WHAM BAM Mutant V2 mobile plate.
Once rewired - assembly began on the syringe holder and mount
including the NEMA 17 stepper motor that would power the drive screw
into the syringe. (see below)
The final steps included prepping the print file in Cura. In order to
maintain established printer settings in the event we want to print PLA
we added a new printer profile to cura along with a new material
profile specifically for paste extrusion and paper pulp. Since we added
a thermistor to our mobile plate,additional manipulations to the
resultant Gcode were minimal.
