Rapid Prototyping

Due to a canceled trip to the engineering department at KU, we learned about rapid prototyping in our classroom instead.  Rapid prototyping is a quick and easy way that uses 3D printing to make full scale models of any design.  The different methods to rapid prototyping consists of  Steriolithography (SLA), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS),  Fused Deposition Modeling(FDM), and Laminated Object Manufacturing(LOM). SLA uses an ultraviolet laser to form and harden each layer of plastic until it forms the model you have created in just a matter of hours. SLS has almost the same process as SLA, except it uses a C02 laser that forms and hardens each layer until it creates your model. FDM uses plastic to lay down layers and can move horizontally or vertically, and the material hardens immediately after being diffused. FOM glues together adhesive-coated paper, plastic, or metal laminates, and once that is finished, the shape of your model is cut out with a laser.

Mongolian Nomads - Life of Yurt Buildings

It was really interesting seeing what my teacher May Tveit did in Mongolia this past summer.  She showed us pictures of a Mongolian family setting up there house in a new location.  The landscape was beautiful with miles and miles of green grass behind them.  It only took the family a few hours to set up their own house, which was pretty impressive.  They had a few pieces of furniture they brought with them along with the structure of their house.  They had these expanding paneled walls that they tied together with rope and formed a circular structure. They then put long sticks resting on the walls and all joined at the center to create the structure for the roof.  They then covered their home with many fabrics and tied them in place, topping it off with a plastic covering to protect from the rain.  This was very interesting to how the difference in culture played a part in how they built their structure and the kinds of living conditions.

Dimensional Innovations Field Trip

I really enjoyed the field trip to Dimensional Innovations. The stuff that they did there was so cool.  They have designed for a wide variety of companies such as restaurants, sports teams, schools, museums and plenty more.  Their Facility was very impressive and had every bit of equipment and space needed to design and make their own projects.  Dimensional Innovations had a very fun atmosphere and design team, and I can imagine as a designer working there, you would never get tired of what you do.

Video: Manufactured Landscapes

This video was about Edward Burtynsky's work and his views on how industrial landscapes are a part of who we are and how we interact with our planet. He photographed landscapes that have been transformed by man.  He photographed coal mines, and how you can see the extractions of the landscape.  He photographed China's Ewaste and how it overpowers the lives of the ones who live there.  He photographed oil workers in Bangladesh and how the workers never live to be over 30 because it is so dangerous.  He photographed much more during this video documentary, but Edward Burtynsky is trying to get across that nobody of course wants to give up what we already have, but we need to realize what we are doing to this planet, and how it is affecting the people and the atmosphere  even though we might not realize it effecting our own lives.  We need to develop a whole new way of thinking in order for this planet to change its ways of doing things.

Video: Waste = Food

Waste is food: food for growth.  This is the idea of turning all materials that don't compose into food for the earth.  The idea that every waste should be recycled into soil and offer as a nutrient. One example given in this video was Nike.  Their goal is no more waste by 2020.  They have been working on a new design called "Nike Considered." This design involves recycling old Nike shoes, and putting the materials back together as raw materials to design a new pair of shoes.  Another example given in this video is that one Architect is working to build factories for companies where their building acts like a tree, by recycling solar energy and oxygen, and uses purified waste water.  These buildings also build respect for factory workers, gives them light, and gives them the right air quality.

These are just a few of the great ideas from this video and how turning waste into food can help our earth became less polluted and how we can design to work towards having a better and cleaner earth to live in. 

Video: The Electronic Wasteland

This video was definitely an eye opener.  I was not aware of how all of the electronic waste was effecting our planet.  The electronic wasteland is located in China and is very toxic and deadly, containing electronic materials that lead to brain damage, kidney disease, and cancers. Along with that, the pollution of burning electronics make the city in China the most toxic city worldwide.  Their air, water, and their own blood is filled with toxins. Electronic waste, also known as Ewaste, is the fastest growing component that is being thrown away.  With the large expansion of technology and the new products that are continuously hitting the market, there is more and more outdated electronics being thrown away.  This video made me realize that we need to think of a way to get rid of all of the Ewaste in a harmful way, along with designing future electronic devises that cause less or no damage to our planet.

Berry Plastics

Berry Plastics is located right in Lawrence, and they distribute their products nationwide. Their high quality machines made work for their employees easy.  It was really neat to see their injection molding process, and how the plastic is melted and molded out of large sheets of plastic.  I it was also interesting how temperature, and the process of heating and cooling played a large factor in that as well. I was really impressed with the volume numbers and amount of product they produced a year.  They are open 24/7 and 363 days a year.   Their company is very efficient in what they do.