Re(Calibrator) Phase18

Re(Callibrator) Phase17

Re(Calibrator) Phase16

Re(Calibrator) Phase15

3D scanner, is a relatively recent invention; a medium size, handheld device allows the user to scan a three dimensional object, as one would  with a bar code reader. But unlike the bar code reader, this piece of equippment works with its own  software, which means the device is constantly connected  to a latop/computer and the output is  monitored  on the screen at all times.

Artec 3D scanner

The scanner essentialy takesphotos one after another, it is constantly flushing when in use, and later  this images or frames, are stitched together to represent the scanned geometry.

Scanned geometry

Above image is a snapshot  of the software that works with the 3D scanner. Here the  geometry is already stitched together and  afterwards a mesh  skin is  created  based on  this structure with the method of "fusion". It is fascinating that  this software works with 2D  eraze mode with a 3D object.  Another  interesting aspect is that any of the scanned frame can be  removed from  the stitched  final object.

On the examples below I have 3D scanned the glass and lead model and took it into Z brush to assign different materials.
Since the 3D scanner uses the frame technique to assemble the geometry, there are variety of ways to scan the same geometry, by manipulating the handheld scanner and setting it to custom directions.
For these reason I have obtained a number of gemoetric outcomes with scanning the same object over and over, when the data as similar and yet didfferent every time.

3D scanned geometry  test 1  (Spherical intensity)

3D scanned geometry test 2 (Metal dots)

3D scanned geometry test 3  (Reflected foil)

I  have discovered that the shininess of the scaned object also affects the scanning process, since the scanner directs flushes of light to the  model  and reads back the geometry, so depending on reflectivity and  trasparency of the object, the results were  different.
The above images show the lead construction, that  was later sprayed with mat white paint.

3D scanned geometry test 4 (The fragmented)

3D scanned geometry test 5 (The fragmented)

3D scanned geometry test 6 (The fragmented)

The above are the glass scans, which seems a lot more fragmented, due to the mentioned phenomena of shininess and reflectivity. When the scanner sends the light rays, some of the flushesare  lost and  the  software registers an absence of a geometry but then another set of frames create the same obsence from a different view when the direction of the scanner is manually changed,  so in essence this is the same data, but modified and distorted.

Re(Calibrator) Phase14 Part2

Below are some abstract conceptual composition illustrating "translations" of the forms achieved with glass and lead experiments from the previous chapter.

And the scenarios below  are speculations of what it would have looked like if those structural elements were implied upon buildings etc.



Re(Calibrator) phase14

The biggest concern  at this point was to source a kiln. After countless meeting, letters with suggestions and  numerous debates, I had to give up on the idea of installing a kiln in the Bartlett workshop. So what next? This unleasant limitation  pushed me towards an  improvised slution ofusing a gas torch to slamp certain kind of glass on the negative moulds i have created based on the positive CNC  milled pieces.

glass and lead model

Above is my latest test with slumped glass flakes and molten  lead.
But before I got to this piece, I went through series of experiements with different glass.
First I tried glass pebbles and the results were rather innsignificant.

Glass peblles

Firing the glass pebbles

Apparently my handheld torch was  not powerful enough to affect the strong structure of the pebbles. Next I tried frit glass.

Glass frit firing

With the glass frit I soon realised that some kind of binder is required  in order to keep the granules from being blown away by the heat.  I tested few binder liquids, including gum arabic, corn starch etc.  and they gave various results.

Glass frit  with gum arabic

Glass frit with UV glue

Afterwards I have tested glass flakes of various sizes and thicknesses.

Firing glass flake

One of  the biggest isssue with hot glass is the anealing, the gradual decreasing of the temperature, to espcape cracks and breaks, therefore after firing i was expecting this fragile piece to collaps shortly.

The Glass flakes holding on the shape

But however the  cracking and  breaking  did not happen. Hence I decided to proceed  with building up on this technique as it seemed to be the best materialfor conveying the initial design idea.

Glass flakes  build up on  the mould piece

During this  process, I have re-introduce the notion of the bodily  gesture. While working on these peices i have been controlling the hand held gas torch in certain ways, always changing my direction and shaping the piece to my desire. This gave me an  immese freedom which i would  have not had, if i was to use a kiln!

glass  flakes  fired with  a UV glue

the design intent

Glass test piece reflecting the digital intent above

There were still many issues to consider; the right binder, the weight and the  gravity, was  the piece going to  collapse under its iwn weight? What is the right mechanism to perhaps link the different pieces together? There are many question yet to be explored, however I feel that this is the right route and perhaps at some point I could take the physical model back to the digital world by  scanning it in and observing the differences.
I  decided to introduce a heavy metal to the process, to see if there was a potential to it and just to be away from glass for a moment.

Lead model  showing the convex side of the mould

Lead model showing the concave surface of the mould

Again I was  able to control the torch in such a way, that with one hand I was feeding the lead wire and with the other hand melting it into the chsen areas of the mould. It was quite incredible how I was directingthe flow of the molten metal, and yet  I did not have control  over the exact shapes and details that  it was forming due to its physical characteristics.

Lead embracing glass

The above test model is a speculation on how the glass could communicate in the organic cage of the lead. There is still more experiments to follow, with bigger scale.
There are few things I intend to do from here; scan the model into a digital software and place this structure into various suggestive environments.