Metal Spine
aluminum, nylon washers, nylon lock nuts, hollow rivets
Year
Fall 2024
Category
Metalworking
one whole object made of 19 modular components. IT is flexible and is capable of motion like a spine does. this design utilizes nylon washers for smooth joint movement and each module is fastened with nylon lock nuts for a secure yet free form.
The project was a practice in material craftsmanship, concept ideation, and design adaptation. the challenge was to create a non-functional object with only aluminum. This design is a product of these practices.
Like all works, this project started at conception with lots of ideation and variation testing. I ran through a variety of form factors, paper models, and aluminum prototypes. After figuring out the design I wanted, I created a manufacturing process for my modules. This piece made use of mainly a jump shear, anvil, punch, and slip roller.
