LP GENE Prototype I
After making metal 3D printing as the topic, which is the subject of my graduation project, I began to think about how to apply unconventional methods to unconventional designs.
As a new production method, metal 3D printing has been shining in space programs, medical treatments, and competitive sports. However, in other fields, the technology is still at the stage of concept design. Designating espresso machine as target products stems in part from my passion for coffee. Then La Pavoni Europiccola lever machine grasps my eyes, under its classic quality and mechanical structure. The original design will be improved in terms of structural efficiency, organic aesthetics, and user experience.
01 Research
A Brief Study in Generative Design
The Old Way
Designers use computers for passive design, limited design options
The New Way
Designers and computers become co-creators, hundreds of choices
It should be noted that the words “finite” and “infinite” are relative, or that they are acceptable on the precondition of a specific design objective. In a traditional design process, many people brainstorm to develop a scheme, model with a preliminary sketch, and determine a specific design. However, CAD is confined by people’s thought inertia, expression ability, and computing power, which unconsciously lower the design quality and make computers designers’ slaves that execute commands exactly.
What if designers and computers collaborate? Before this, computers should be programmed what is not allowed, i.e. a set of “obstacles”, which bring more possibility and a result as close as performance envelope.
The Connection between G.D. and Metal 3D Printing
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
The Definition of Generative Design
Someone re-define generative design as :
“ A Way of Translating Computational Energy into Creative Energy?
by Sivam Krish
And so far my answer is:
“ Generative design is the designer's pre-setting goals, finding contacts (reserving modules) and setting obstacles, and then subject to manufacturing methods, materials, forces and other constraints, and finally a series of results can be obtained.
The Analysis of La Pavoni
Originally quoted from LaPavoni's official introduction to Europiccola, it was designed in 1950 to reflect the piece of the history of Italian design. This classic lever machine is constantly evolving. So what can we bring to this classic coffee machine?
Generative design plays a role of connecting different contacts in the entire design process, so the parts need to be retained should be measured and analysis from the size to material & weight. I used a tension meter to measure.
02 Experiment
The main purpose of generative design is structural efficiency, creating organic aesthetics, and improving user experience. My plan is to do some tests with the lever, portafilter & knob parts first because they are focusing on different directions.
Rebuild the Lever & Portafilter
Set the contacts (Retain Geometry) with two parts, the onepart is in contact with hand and the other contact with the Pin. The angle & distance between them are also need to be considered. The next step is to set the obstacle geometry according to the princeples, and also consider the motion track of the active structure (like the lever). There is a feeling of conversion from 3D to 4D thinking, so a circle of obstacle geometry appears around the Pin axis.
This project is intended to study the design process, so there is no production quantity or specified production equipment parameters requirements. 3 Processing restrictions - unlimited, additive and five-axis cutting, which do not limit the possibilities too much, and the safety factor are set to 2 & 3, and finally developed to the 13th generation which almost is a satisfactory result.
This project is intended to study the design process, so there is no production quantity or specified production equipment parameters requirements. 3 Processing restrictions - unlimited, additive and five-axis cutting, which do not limit the possibilities too much, and the safety factor are set to 2 & 3, and finally developed to the 13th generation which almost is a satisfactory result.
The Knob Generating Journey
Different from the lever and portafilter before, the knob pays more attention to creating a unique organic shape. It is envisaged to be designed as a center-symmetrical wheel-like shape.
03 Development
Iteration Process
After completing the test and methods summary, then applied to other parts. The lever, portafilter and knob have been introduced before, and this part will focus on the entire process.
Mood board & Sketches
I have thought about a lot of style issues in the moodboard, collected lots of coffee history and various levers, as well as some daydreams about landers. The sketches are focusing on levers hold cover.
Fabrication
The size of the base is relatively large, so it is split into 3 pieces to built. After evaluation, it can still meet the force requirements. After that, it is completed by welding, polishing and sandblasting.
04 Design
Through the height elevation, it’s easier to observe the extraction of espresso through the bottomless portafilter.
Generative design will work more as an auxiliary reference in the foreseeable future. Different from the present CAD, it will be a co-creator with thinking ability. Of course, unlike in science fiction movies, it won’t create an image that we want with just one idea. Instead, it will be more like a processor, taking and matching external information. Only if you ‘feed’ it with information continually, can it understand your intent precisely and play a more positive role in a design process.
Something about A.I.
Will A.I. function as feeders in place of designers? That depends on whether A.I. is self-aware. Otherwise, it can only simulate designers’ techniques and styles, so this question seems not a matter of concern to us for now.
