Y1S2 Design Computing - 3D Modelling & Fabrication (Blender Journal)

A3 JOURNAL Aura

Leong Jin Ling (Riley) - jleo2231

Stage 1

1. Addition of Reference Images Object Mode > Add > Image > Reference Through the content that was taught in tutorials, reference images was added to help me better visualise the model in 3D space. The model is largely symmetrical, therefore I could model one piece and duplicate them later.

2. Starting with a Cube and Loop Cuts Object Mode > Add > Mesh > Cube Edit Mode > Loop Cut > Number of Cuts changed to 2 The starting shape used was a cube. In order to make the different individual pieces, I would have to “cut out” the different segments - like Tetris pieces! Loop cuts wereused to segment out the pieces into 3 x 3 cube.

Stage 2

3. Creating the Bottom Piece Edit Mode > Select Faces > Extrude downwards Delete Edges and Faces In order to build the bottom (and top) piece, I would have to extrude the faces into the cube, thereafter deleting some faces and vertices.

4. Closing Faces Selecting Vertices > Press ‘F’ on Keyboard From previous Step 3, the deleting of edges and faces led to open faces. To resolve this, I had to close the vertices so that the object can be solidified.

Stage 3

5. Building all components Top Piece Object Mode > Select Bottom Piece > Copy and Paste > Rotate about Y-axis (’G’-’Y’-180)

6. Creating Holes for USB Ports Create Cuboids > Place inside Bottom Piece > Boolean Destructive Difference

I was able to duplicate the bottom piece to create the top piece. Then, it was rotated by 180 degrees in the Y axis.

By searching for their dimensions, I created 3 cuboids of their own dimensions and made use of Boolean Difference to cut out the holes.

It was important to create holes in the bottom piece so that the Four Towers USB ports abd cables can go through. It was oberved that the Object Mode > Add > Mesh > Cube > Key in Dimensions (50mm Raspberry Pi Zero W had 1 Mini HDMI port and 2 Micro USB x 33.333mm) ports.

One of the cuboid towers was created by adding a mesh cube and typing in the dimensions. The dimensions were calculated using simple mathematics (and proportions).

7. Solidifying the Bottom Piece Object Mode > Add Modifier > Solidify > 2.0mm After the port holes were created, the bottom piece was solified to add a wall thickness. This was crucial in creating a slide fit later on.

8. Creating bottom piece and slider Slider Piece Object Mode > Add > Mesh > Plane > Extrude > Bevel > Adjust vertices Bottom Piece Place Slider in Walls of bottom piece > Boolean Destructive Difference Firstly, the slider piece was created using series of steps.

In order for the Boolean Difference to work successfully, the thickness of the slider has to be greater than thickeness of the walls (i.e. greater than 2.0mm).

Then, I duplicated the slider piece and scaled it down slightly for printing. This is to ensure that there is a small amount of space for slider to go in and out smoothly.

Next, the bottom piece was further developed by Boolean Difference with the slider.

Stage 4

9. Fixing Non-Manifold Problems Viewport Overlays > Geometry > Face Orientation Edit Mode > Delete Faces and Adjust Vertices After the Boolean Difference function, I wanted to check to see if there were problems in the model. Admist the sea of blue, there was red. The problem was investigated - vertices were not joined properly and the faces were not entirely levelled.

They were manually adjusted.

SUCCESS!

Stage 5

10. Preparing the Towers Edit Mode > Select Face > Extrude Inwards > Key in 1.0mm > Delete Faces and Vertices > Select Vertices > Press ‘F’ on Keyboard Edit Mode > Select Face > Inset > Key in 4.0mm The tower was made slighty smaller, so that it can fit in between the hinge holder and the wall of the bottom piece (shown later in Stage 6). This requires extrusion, deletion of faces and vertices, then joining the open surfaces again.

The face where touchscreen is supposed to be fitted in, is then inset inwards by 4.0mm.

11. Preparing the Towers II Edit Mode > Select Face > Extrude > Key in 2.0mm Object Mode > Solidify > Key in 2.0mm After insetting the face, I extruded it by 2.0mm to fit a potential touchscreen of the future.

To create walls in these towers, I solidified the cuboids by 2.0mm.

Stage 6

12. Creating Rotating Hinges Rod Holders Object Mode > Add > Mesh > Cube > Key in 6.0mm x 6.0mm x 2.0mm Object Mode > Select Cuboid > Copy and Paste > Arrange on Bottom Piece Rod Object Mode > Add > Mesh > Cylinder > Key in 1.5mm Radius > Key in 105mm Length All parts arranged Object Mode > Boolean Non-Destructive Difference

The parts are then arranged in the set-up above.

The rod was duplicated twice, so that they can be printed later.

Then Non-Destructive Boolean Difference was then applied to create the holes in the bottom piece, tower and hinge holders. This is where the rod can slide in and out. The towers are then able to rotate about this rod.

Stage 7

13. Last Creation of Components Rod Holders (2 quantities) Object Mode > Select the Two Rod Holders > Copy and Paste > Arrange on the other side of the Bottom Piece Rod Holders (4 quantities) and Bottom Piece Object Mode > Select the Four Rod Holders and the Bottom Piece > Boolean Non-Destructive Union Towers (4 quantities) Object Mode > Select Cuboid > Copy and Paste x 3 Object Mode > Rotate (’G’-’X’-90)

Finally, the bottom piece was created by union - 4 rod holders and the solidified bottom piece.

The towers were also duplicated thrice so that there are now four towers. They are rotated to ensure that they face the right orientation.

Stage 8

14. Apply all Modifiers for All Components and Arrangement Click on Blue Wrench Tool beside Elements in Scene Collection Arrange Elements for Own Visual Pleasure!

END

Final Outcome

Full Model (left) and Two Major Parts of Model (top) On the left is a full model in back view, showing its interior opening and cut out holes to allow USB ports to go through, connected to the Raspberry Pi. The top shows the model in its two constituent parts, where the four towers are connected by rods, with one of the towers flipped open to showcase a touchscreen platform.

Final Outcome

Bottom Hollow Interior (left) and Closer Shot of Bottom Piece (top) On the left is the bottom piece, shot to show its hollow interior. This is to house potential wires and other electrical parts that may be used to power up the screens in the towers and the device itself.

The top is a closer and isometic view of the bottom piece of the model.

Errors and Possible Modifications 1. Insufficient space for towers to rotate properly outwards It was observed that the holes (for the rod to go through) in the towers were not sufficiently big enough and/or at the best height for rotation.

This can be modified by increasing the radius of holes, giving more leeway between the modules for rotation and increasing the height of the rod holders.

2. Greater exploration into types of hinges and fits to keep the module in securely stack When the full model was put together, the fitting seems to be a little loose. This can be accounted for the lightweight material that the top piece was made of. In reality, the top piece should be made of a heavier glass material - to which gravity and static friction will hold the model together.

However, it was noted that a possible exploration into hinges, fits and joints can be done to ensure that the model will be entirely secure and fitted with no loose feel.

I would like to thank my family, friends, course mates, tutors, unit coordinator (Rohann Dorabjee) and many others who have provided guidance to my journey thus far.