Cambridge, MA, U.S.
Democratized PCL Blow Molding with Composite Structures
06.2023 - 08.2023
Guanyun Lab, Zhejiang University
Collaborator :
Kuangqi Zhu, Yue Tao, Xinying Ren
Instructor:
Guanyun Wang, Ye Tao
# Blow Molding
# Hybrid Fabrication
# Craft
# Composite Structures
Project Description
bloMold, a novel and accessible hybrid fabrication workflow that allows normal users to design and create multi-scale shape changes by blowing laminated composite thermoplastic structures. Thermoplastics, another common material for blow molding besides glass and sugar, have become a staple material for prototyping and creative expression due to their widespread availability and accessibility within commodity 3D printing and laser cutting. The deformability and malleability of thermoplastic allow customized and personalized fabrication through thermoforming. Taking inspiration from plastic manufacturing and the extensiveness of plastic affordances, we conduct a research through design investigation on the possibilities and potential of thermoplastic blowing as a personal fabrication method.
Testing