Geometric 3D Model
As my first attempt at this piece was made from paper, I had to figure out what material I was going to make this model out of, and how to do it. I decided to build my model out of foam core, mostly because I had easy access to the material and because I knew it was fairly easy to work with. Once I purchased my materials, I had to measure the thickness, so I could account for it in the planning and construction of my final piece. This was a problem I hadn’t encountered before, as my previous version of the model was made out of paper, which does not have a thickness for which to account.
I decided to plan my model in SketchUp before doing any hands-on experimentation, as the angles that the model required proved to be quite complex. Once the model was designed in SketchUp (which took three tries), I was able to use the Tape Measure tool to measure the side lengths of each of the triangles from which the model is comprised. This too proved to be difficult, as the outside surface area of each triangle is greater than the inside surface area, resulting in angled edges. Figuring this out in SketchUp proved to be the easiest part of the project, as I then realized I would have to figure out a way to cut the triangles so they would have angled edges.
Once I moved into hands-on experimentation, I found that the best way to cut the triangles
was to measure and mark the side lengths of the larger outer triangles on the foam core and cut those out, trying to keep my x-acto knife as straight as possible so as not to angle the edges prematurely. Once a triangle was cut, I would then ip it over and measure the side lengths on the smaller inner triangles. Then I would score the lines and try to cut with my knife at an angle until the lines of the inner triangles met the lines of the outer triangles. Although this method worked pretty well, there was a lot of human error and many triangles ended up being thrown out due to inaccuracy.
Once I had enough triangles cut, I would glue them together to form each “ring” of the
model. Each ring comprised ten triangles, each one flipped upside down, relative to the ones beside it. This created what are essentially two rotated, back-to-back pentagons.
Finally, once I had made eight “rings,” I was happy with the height of my model and decided to attach the “rings” using clear thread that was threaded through three “axles” of each “ring.” This allows the model to be flexible and dynamic.
