Code Generated Design
Using both the industrial and digital worlds to explore Autodesk's new manufacturing platform.
ROLE
Product Design Intern
Software design, 3D printing, laser cutting, prototyping, material explorations.
DURATION
Nov 2015 - January 2016
THE DREAM TEAM
Product Manager - Itamar Berger
Dev Lead - Avihay Assouline
Overview
Background.
The solution builder was designed as an open-sourced marketplace, where businesses can assemble their end-to-end process on an accessible and modular canvas, before sharing this experience with their consumers. That way the customers become the inventors and control the final product before purchasing.
Process.
Used the platform as my playground.
As the business user- decided which products to share, building 3D models for all the customization options and sharing it with the customer. As the - played with the options I created, printed the parts in 3D, explored different materials and shapes in the process, and eventually manufactured my own custom product.
Outcome.
Learning we can use our body to define our minimum and maximum points, use our software and code to adjust the product, and create a product that is suited perfectly to our measures.
Goal
The goal was to design a realistic and functional product, from start to finish, while using our digital platform.
The first selected product was a hand watch, to allow me on one hand to have enough creativity and freedom to explore different customization elements and on the other hand, result in a functioning and working product.
Process
The software process included building the 3d models of all parts of the hand watch, assembling all parts, and uploading the 3d modal to our platform.
The material process included trying different patterns and printing them in different materials, cutting the leather straps using CNC technology, and assembling several prototypes.
FINAL OUTCOME
Code Generated Design
In my next experimental project, I collaborated with an algorithmic engineer to re-structure products, using computer-generated patterns. This would improve their efficiency, material use and customize them per individual.
Our Inspiration came from Nature.
The best structures and smart pattern comes from nature. Nothing goes to waive and there is a reason for everything that exists.
Reacting to Human Pressure.
In our process, we used heat maps that were measured by different people in action. Each person has its unique signature walk/step which translates to a one of a kind heat map.
Process
We selected the midsole as our testing product. mIdsoles are placed inside shoes or boots for extra comfort, warmth, and a better fit, it’s the main purpose is to increase feet comfortability.
We scanned the heat maps into our platform and developed an algorithm that can cut a midsole in 3d based on the 2d map.
That resulted in a customized midsole suited precisely for the individual’s foot comfort.
Final Prototype
After experimenting with different patterns and materials, we 3d printed our final midsole from TPU, which is a strong yet soft type of rubber that is commonly used in the sports industry.
What did we learn?
We can improve different products by specifying them to an individual.
We can use our body to define our minimum and maximum points, use our software and code to adjust the product, and create a product that is suited perfectly to our measures. It can be a midsole today, a surfboard tomorrow, and only the sky is the limit.