So, how I designed and manufactured the press? After knowing what I wanted to end with, I began doing some research on the topic of Topology optimization and its typical workflow. So the typical workflow of this kind of studies (at least in Solidworks) is: 1- Modeling a “simple” geometry basically used to define the…

If one thing I had clear about the Main Project is that I was going to design a manual press of some kind. First I was attracted by old machinery design (industrial revolution aesthetic) but after a while I switched my interest towards the organic/generative design that has lately been possibly done thanks to computation.…

When doing this post, I have done a lot of progress regarding the design of the press. After experimenting with the topology study module of Solidworks, I ended redesigning the body shape, removing the fasteners and the ability to disasemble it, making the column and the base in one piece. One of the reasons was…

As stated in other posts my main project consists in designing and building a manual press with organic shapes. By now I have designed the CAD model without the generative part done. That is due to the fact that my laptop is not powerful enough for handling such a topology optimization, so I will use…

Top 5 Specifications: 1- The mechanism of the press will consist of one lever connected to a gear which will drive a geared rod. 2- The body will be designed to withstand a force of 1500N using cast iron. 3- The pressing rod will have a minimum travel of 150 mm. 4- The base of…

My project Aesthetic will be the organic/generative design for the body of the press. What I am currently figuring out is the mechanism of the press itself. As it can be seen in the two sketches I did (or at least I tried to represent), one option is using a “zip” mechanism which consists of…

If one thing I have clear about the Main Project is that I will design a manual press of some kind. First I was attracted by old machinery design (industrial revolution aesthetic) but after a while I switched my interest towards the organic/generative design that has lately been possibly done thanks to computation. In fact,…

Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926) was a Catalan architect who is widely considered one of the most important figures in the history of modern architecture. Born in Reus, a small town in Catalonia, Gaudí developed an early interest in architecture and went on to study at the Barcelona Higher School of Architecture. He soon began to develop…

As said in previous posts, my upcycling project consists in building a wall hanger with spark plugs and wood following an Industrial design aesthetic. I have been inspired by my appreciation of mechanical components of car engines and by some internet images I found which are referenced in my first upcycling post. As a first…

As I said in my previous post, my upcycling project will consist in building a wall hanger with spark plugs and wood following a Industrial design aesthetic. I have a clear design in my mind of what I want the hanger to look like. So far I have gathered half of the materials, 8 spark…

I chose Catalan Modernisme in Arquitecture as an aesthetic to explore for two reasons: one is the admiration and appreciation I have for those buildings and the other is that I am Catalan. To me, all the buildings built during this movement share a relation with practicality and beautifulness that cannot be found in any…