Plastics Workshop- Clock

So this is the result of 2 1/2 days spent in the plastics workshop.

The brief was simply to make a clock out of plastic using a simple mechanism in the allotted time.I started with some quick sketches, at one point expanding on the idea of an exploding clock face, but what I really wanted was for the clock to have a more sculptural feel, taking full advantage of it's position as a desk clock to expand more than just a flat 2D surface.

Eventually my thinking brought me to a science inspired design, taking inspiration from the rings and orbits of planets, and more acutely from the structure of atoms, resulting in the design below.

The construction of this was both simpler and more complex than I expected, with some aspects being very frustrating.

 The first job for me was to assemble all the sheets of acrylic I would need and to mark out and cut them down to approximately the right sizes. Annoyingly once this was done I was finished for the day as the workshop technician then glued the sheets together to make the blocks I would then shape, and this had to dry overnight.

 So the next day with the blocks dry, I began shaping them, first on the band saw, and then on a lathe. This was much easier than I had anticipated due to the accuracy of the machines. The rings cut I then shaped the clock face and base further on the lathe, before milling out the space for the clock mechanism on the back of the face on a milling machine.

 Finally I then began cleaning up the components, first with wet and dry paper and then on a buffing machine. This was particularly difficult with the rings as occasionally the machine would rip the ring out of my hands and send it across the room. The pieces finally clean, I then stuck them together using a polycement glue, just in time for the deadline.

Necklace

 

Ok so I was bored today so I decided I wanted to make something. So after a brief search I came across this small bit of clear acrylic I picked up at sometime in DT. After a quick bit of filing and sanding on the edges I decided I was going to make a necklace. After a first drilling attempt where the drill bit got stuck in the plastic and then broke so I had to cut that section off and refile it. I then drilled it correctly threaded a thread through it and voila! more pics below.

Metropolis Evening

So as promised yesterday, here is a nice brand new bit of artwork, and by new it has literally just dried.

Done in acrylics on an A5 paper, it took me about 45 mins to do; I know because I was watching Blade Runner on iPlayer at the time. By the way if you have not seen Blade Runner then please watch it, it is a brilliant film, at least one of my favorite films, if not my favorite, and although it may appear weird at first stick with it beacuse the ending is AMAZING! So anyway here you go new work, enjoy (click on it for a larger view). Please leave any comments, thanks.

Toilet Seat Cleaner, Sun lit Glade and Flying

Ok so not such a nice subject to dwell on, but I do think that having a small tool that you can clamp a piece of toilet paper onto, just to clean the seat would be good, much better than just holding that same piece of toilet paper.

Using more a more traditional medium today, acrylic on paper. I can't say where the inspiration for this came from but I'm really pleased with how it has turned out. There'll definatly be more of these in the future.

Today I was also able to finally take the flying lesson brought for my birthday. It was really enjoyable and both more difficult and easier than I had imagined. Below are some photos taken during the experience. Any comments, please leave them below, thanks.

Me in the cockpit.

About to take off.

The view from the air.

Me landing the plane!