Project 1 - Vase

For the first project we were required to create and design a vase. To create my vase I followed a few simple steps using Rhino.

1. Create a spline to the profile shape of the vase in the Front View.
2. Offset the spline to give the profile a thickness
3. Join the ends of the two splines together making sure that the base connection is perfectly flat. Use the Join command to make the separate lines one element.
4. Use the revolve command to revolve the profile 360 degrees
5. Create flat plane for base, apply materials and render.

We were then required to make a model of our vase using the laser cutter. To produce this model we needed to break the model up into a number of 2d sections. Using vertical and horizontal sections it was possible to create a constructable model of the vase in the 3d environment. Producing the model in Rhino was a good way to test if the end product would actually work, however there's nothing like building the real thing as I found out.

The model was laser cut from 1.8mm thick strawboard, allowing ample room between parts on the layout will reduce heat concentration on the strawboard. When heat is concentrated to one area too long it can lead to warping of the material (note this when using Acrylic) and fires.

Despite the vase fitting together neatly within rhino, the parts were much more difficult to put together than I first assumed. Be sure to fit and check each part before gluing it into place as I managed to fit my first 2 pieces on notch too high which bent and warped the model. Beyond that I found that in this case I had to fit several parts(uncut) at the bottom, middle and the top to secure the shape of the vase. Once these parts were securely in place it was then impossible to fit the other ribs without cutting them.