Prototyping & Failure:The Art of Design

Rama Hoetzlein, 2007Lecture NotesUniv. of California Santa Barbara

Johann Joachim Becher (from Tecnhical Curiosita, Schott, 1664)

H.P. Gramatke, magnetic car

Jove, 1867 Pat. 42/1867

Source: Hans-Peter Gramatke, Unpublished Works, http://www.hp-gramatke.net/index.htm

Guillaume, 1928Belgium Pat. 359840

Blain, 1979Kameroon Pat. OA6413

Smeretchanski, 2003France Pat. 1828716

Peter Schmalenbach, 2006

What is a sketch?

What is the purpose of a sketch?

1. To explain and communicateFrancesco di Giorgio (1439-1502)

2. To think

Leonardo da Vinci, Flying Machine, 1490

Albrecht Durer, Multiple Views of the Foot, ~1500

Challenge:

• Vertical lift for an X, Y, Z machine

• Must lift a heavy weight with an accuracy of 1 mm

Different types of lifts(pulley, rack & pinion,jackscrew, lead screw

Like lead screw most...(high accuracy and travel)

But realize.. a grove is necessaryas both ends of screw must be fixed.

Idea.. Put screw off-center.Travel bar attached to it.

Design is coming together.

Ready for CAD?

Design is coming together

Ready for CAD?

Low friction..

But just a bad idea!

(Too many parts)

More compact..

This looks familiar.

Maybe I can use an existing track system.

Essential Parts:

1x Pre-assembled Lead Screw2x Pre-assembled Rail system2x Square tube stock2x Flat plate

Low friction. Accurate. Long travel (3 ft). Final touch: Counterweights?

Sketching

Concept Sketching

Design Sketching

Drawing

• Messy! Thats ok!• Thinking happens here.• No guidelines. Imperfect perspective is ok.• Do lots of them.... but don’t hand these in.

• Guidelines.• Communication happens here.• Perspective and shading important.• No dimensions or tolerances

• Dimensions and critical tolerances.• All details present. • Multiple view and sections to make even more clear. • Is it really ready for CAD?

Prototypes

Sculpture

Prototype

1 object. First one is the last one (usually).

1 object. Test object for a final design. Plan to make lots.

Early stage: Like a concept sketch.Late stage: First one ready for thorough testing.

FinishedDesign

Many objects. Everything must be working and tested.(Mistake here are costly!)

Conceptual Prototype

Use whatever materials you want! LEGOs, wood, toothpicks.

Expect it may breakdown. But you learn the weakest design points.

Low-Cost Camera Boom

Prototypes & TestingDiscover real world limitations. e.g. strength of materials, dominant forces

Discover design issues impossible to see in a sketch. e.g. camera booms must be absolutely silent.

Discover limitations of design. e.g. what is the range? weight limits?

Discover new options hard to visualize on paper.

Discover if it actually works!

Timewave

Rama Hoetzlein & Kimberly Iarossi, 2005

Issues

Poor communication Language barriersLast minute changes Vertical to horizontalOverly ambitious Started with fancy CAD renderingLimited time 1 weekOverworked crew 30 other artists (big exhibition)No time to test Still working day before exhibitUnforeseen I broke tube day of the exhibit

Sketch early, Prototype early, Communicate, Do tests

All is was not lost... There’s always next time.

Engineering is a learning experience. Even when you’re experienced.It takes a lot of bad ideas to produce a few good ones. Sketch a lot !