Sand Cast project
For this second year project at UCA, I took the chance to learn as much as possible about the sand casting technique. The requirements were to create a household object out of either cast iron or aluminuium. The product must take into consideration the casting process to create a form that would be suitable for manufacturing.
As soon as I researched the process of sand casting, I attempted to push the boundaries and create an organic form or one that isn't usually suitable for this material process. Gained a lot of knowledge from this project and would love to use the process in the near future.
As soon as I researched the process of sand casting, I attempted to push the boundaries and create an organic form or one that isn't usually suitable for this material process. Gained a lot of knowledge from this project and would love to use the process in the near future.
Materials:
- Mahogany
- Aluminium
Inspiration
These images are ones taken by myself for a previous college project, however I believed that they were of great inspiration for me, especially as I found out id be casting aluminium or iron. After researching the process of sandcasting and its limitations towards the ergonomic factor of a piece, I wanted to push the boundaries and try to create an organic, natural shape. So immediately I referred back to my old photography project.
Models
The spiralled leaf in my inspiration lead me to create something similar in the context of a coat hook. The best material for me to use was plastercine as I could bend and create organic shapes quick. From this i can begin to use polystyrene foam board and chemi wood to create more complex models.
At this stage I was set on having this spiralled piece as the main cast piece
After making many different models, my tutors insisted that I shouldn't cast the spiralled form, as it would be too complex due to the split line and the draft angles. Due to their persistance and advice I decided to add a rod down the center of the spiral, with a circular plate on the end, to which this will be cast out of aluminium.
Sketches
Technical Drawing
This is the technical drawing that displays what my cast piece will look like. In fact this is one cast piece that facilitates two hooks, so that it can cut the cost on production process by splitting it down the middle when machining after.
Pattern to be Cast
Cast piece
Cast piece with Mahogany
Adobe Illustrator allowed me to draw a sketch render of what i perceived my final product to look like.
