Standables
Lesson by: Christopher Connors
Pembrooke High School
PemTech:Technology and Engineering
Standables
In this project, you will make a standable, which is a 3d collection of SlottedShapes that can stand on its own.
Design the parts:
Use the steps in SlottedShapes to get your first, basic design. Your artwork will need to fit onto this shape for the first one you make.
Modify the shape design so that you can customize your own Standable.
Design the artwork
Go to OpenClipArt.org to find a sillouette that you can use for the image.
http://www.openclipart.org/tags/silhouette
Find a shape, download the image, convert it to a jpg with Gimp, and then import it to Cut Studio.
Extract the contour lines, and resize it so it fits in one of the shapes in his file:
6x6standbackwithImage.cst
Save these files to your network drive and go to the laser.
Cut and Assmble
Cut the overall shapes with the corrugated cardboard settings.
Cut the image shape with the construction paper settings.
Use glue stick or embroidery to attach the background color to the cardboard stand. Make sure the slots line up.
Use glue stick or embroidery to attach the shape to the background color.
Deliverables:
Print of the Cut Studio file used to make your parts.
Completed Standable that is 6"x6" with an image securely attached to it with either glue or embroidery
Original design of a standable that can have either a solid shape or a contour that matches your image. Your standable must stand on its own.
Photos of the Standables you designed and made for this project.
Slotted Shapes
If you want to use digital fabrication to make an assembly of shapes that will stand up, one way is to make slots in the shapes that allow you to press the parts together.
Here is one way to do it:
Create a new file in Open Office Draw
Start with a solid shape that is 6" by 6". The bottom edge should be flat where it will meet the table. Fill it with Black.
Make a slot rectangle that is 1/8" wide and 1/2" tall. Fill it with White.
Place the slot rectangle over the bottom edge of the shape.
Position the slot rectangle at 1"x and 5.5"y.
Copy the slot rectangle, paste it and position it at 4.87"x and 5.5"y. Both the slots should be on the bottom edge an inch from the nearest side.
Select the big shape and the slots, then group them so you can move them around.
Next make a base piece.
Create a rectangle that is one inch tall and three inches long. Fill it with Black.
Make another slot rectangle like the first or copy the one you already made. Place it on the bottom edge of the base piece.
Center align these two parts so the slot is in the middle of the base piece.
Group the base piece and its' slot so you can move them around easily.
Copy the base piece and slot, paste it and move it to just below the first one.
Move the base parts so they are close to the main part to leave the least waste of the material.
Export the image as a JPEG at 100%
In Cut Studio, import the image, arrange it on the cutting bed with a box around it.
Cut your parts and see how well they fit together.
If you don't like the way they fit, adjust the size, location and quantity of your slots.
You can use this technique to create the solid parts of a Standable.
Reflections
After you have made your own Standable, write a brief reflection about your project, process and learning.
This reflection should be no more than one page long.
It should have your name, date, assignment, class and period at the top.
Your writing should be at least three paragraphs of at least five sentences long.
Here are some questions to get you started:
- What did you learn in this project?
- What was difficult in this project?
- What was easy in this project?
- What has helpful in learning how to do this project and its' skills?
- How was this design and fabrication process different/similar to what you did in the other digital fabrication projects?
- How did you customize your designs from the ones given in the instructions?
- How could you use the ideas of this project to design and make your own things?
Type this up and print it.
Hand this in with the rest of your portfolio for the project.
