BEIL0014 Digital making: March 2018

Assignment 1 Bowl

Main Aim：By using different methods of shaping like cutting, bending, shrinking and stretching, it is supposed to transform the flat aluminium sheet into a bowl as picture shown above.

Laser cutting:

Laser cutting is a kind of supported approach to help with the whole processes of bowl-making.

Above picture is the laser cutting machine used to create bowl template like below which is consist of several concentric rings.

We need to draw the shape of these concentric rings on the metal sheet so that we can know where to hammer and the accurate position for the bowl while shaping to avoid making an abnormal bowl.

The image shown above is called radius gauge which is made by laser cutting as well.

It is used to evaluate the progress of the work. After choosing one of the sides for radius gauge, we can rest it on the underside of the bowel, and make sure the shape of this bowl is perfect, and know where to add more area and where to reduce area.

In our work, R155 is used to evaluate.

Step 1:

We need to cut aluminium sheet by using tin snips.

Metal sheet then changed from rectangle shape to square shape.

Finally, drawing along the edges of concentric rings as shown above.

Step 2:

Cutting along the edge of the largest rings, we get what a shape of the bowl should be, then use file to make the edge of the ring smooth to keep this metal circle safe.

Step 3:

Putting the aluminium circle on the wooden stump, making sure there is enough space for the largest outer ring to be shaped. When it is placed properly, use plastic mallet to put pressure on it. Consistent amount of pressure is supposed to use on the whole outer ring.

Making sure the metal circle is moved and placed properly from beginning to the end.

This process makes good use of the wooden concave as shown above to stretch the flat surface.

Once this has been done, it is possible for the second largest ring to be shaped as well.

Creases problems

As shown above, once the pressure is applied on the surface, there may be creases problems emerge.

Thus, we need to hammer the bulge which should be placed on the wooden concave again to make better curve surface. Same method is used as described in step 3.

Step 4:

Using the same shaping method in step 3, the second largest ring has been stretched as well. Pictures above show all the processes.

Steps 5:

Using the same shaping method in step 3, the last ring has been stretched as well.Pictures above show all the processes.

Step 6:

Putting pressure on the soft sand bag by hammer to create a shape of sphere which has the same size as the inner circle on the metal. After the spherical surface has been established, put the bowl on it and hammer it to finish the bottom of the bowl as shown above.

Step 7:

In this step,radius gauge can be used to check our work to build a symmetrical shape. We need to hammer many times in this step as well.

Step 8:

This is called English wheel in laboratory. It is used for smooth out the bumpy surface of the bowl. We need to choose one of the wheels on the top and assemble it on the equipment. Our bowl should be placed and then moved or rubbed in between these 2 wheels.

As shown above, the track of English wheel will be obvious for you to see. We must make sure that all the tracks pass the centre point of the circle.

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Step 9 ( this can be marked as well cause the aluminum bowl really change its shape after polishing and sanding because it is very soft!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)