3D Prototyping
After some experimentation with 3D printing and modeling, I decided to dive even further into the world of 3D printing and create my own 3D printed belt. I choose a belt because I felt it would be unique, challenging and properly nerdy.
The Plan
I began to plan my belt by measuring the fabric belt I had on to get some basic dimensions to work from. From there I began to sketch out a few design ideas for how I thought several pieces of plastic could come together to form the shape of a waist. I ended up with an interlocking tile design held together with dowels.
The Process
To build this 3D model, I decided to teach myself SketchUp based on a recommendation from a professor. While it took me some time to learn the tool and have my brain working in terms of 3D space, I eventually created my first prototype.
The Prototypes
When I finished my first model, I assumed that it would be the final product since my model had conformed to my sketches perfectly. When I printed it for the first time however, I noticed that the hard edges didn't allow the two pieces to bend enough to fit around the waist. The connectors on the male piece (shaped like a +) were also too long and didn't allow for enough flexibility between the pieces. Refinements had to be made.
The second prototype resolved these issues and had the whole product looking a bit more friendly and refined. I felt this iteration was good enough to be printed full scale.
The Print
I decided to print the belt in all black with red accents. For me, this combination was a win in both aesthetics and in keeping the nerdy-ness subtle.
After printing, I noticed that each piece needed a bit of cleaning and sanding to allow the dowels to fit in the slots properly. In the end, this meant a lot of time on campus and a lot of late-night tea breaks.
The Buckle
To create the clasping mechanism I developed a sort of hook that would allow the two ends of the belt to link together in a unique way. In a way, my hands were the first prototype for this mechanism.
The first printed iteration looked good, but the top piece was not long enough for the hooks to link together.
The second iteration I printed was long enough, but the top piece ended up being too wide to fit down into the lower hooking piece.
The third iteration was narrow enough to fit, but the pieces of the hook mechanism were too thick to lock together.
Finally, on the fourth iteration, the mechanism fit together, so I altered the design one final time to look more like a belt buckle and to give the design the necessary pieces to connect to the rest of the belt.
I wanted to add a little style to the outward face of the belt buckle so I decided to sign it in an appropriately nerdy way. The boxes on the front face of the belt are my initials CS in morse code. C: - • - • S: - - -
