Main Project Final Report 2: Lava Lamp Tap Handle

For my final project, I created a tap handle that emulates a lava lamp.  For this class, I wanted to create something that was technically challenging and a well-put together creative design.

With this project, I do feel like I captured the aesthetic I was going for, recreating the groovy, mellow aesthetic that a real lava lamp creates.  Having limited methods to recreate the actual function of the lava lamp, I was very pleased with how the lighting effect performed and really gave the handle its clear aesthetic.

One thing I was disappointed by was the opportunity missed to learn and develop a new skill of mold making, as the resin 3D printers were not functioning and I was then unable to make a model positive to mold.  In the future, I would like to try making a silicone mold for an epoxy body on the handle, and hopefully if the Idea Forge printers are fixed soon I will be able to make the mold.  I am unsure of how the lighting effect will come through in epoxy, and it may be a risk of expense if the light does not work, but I had planned to utilize colored resin or another insert to create the actual “lava” in the lamp body.

Overall, I was really pleased with how this project came out and I am looking forward to improving it in the future!

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3 Comments. Leave new

  • Peilin Yang
    May 8, 2019 10:15 pm

    Mold is really brilliant idea to raise the level of aesthetics of your project and, from my perspective, I will make the bear which goes through it more tasty! (With the taste of time!)

    Reply
  • Hogan Auyeung
    May 8, 2019 4:46 pm

    Chris I think this project is absolutely stunning. It was such an improvement from your original project with the cardboard and you made this one fully functional. Truly impressive and hopefully you can use it!

    Reply
  • Hadeel Al Gallaf
    May 6, 2019 4:16 am

    Chris, although you haven’t achieved what you had in mind, I think your project is successful overall. It communicates the aesthetic your going for and serves its purpose. This is the first time you make such a project, and it is always nice to look for future improvements, but you should enjoy your first lava tap handle.

    Reply

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