Grid design
To design the grid, we started establishing the points that it would have to accomplish according to our idea. We needed enough squares to make different combinations and to cover all screen surface. Additionally, the squares should be big enough to allow its manipulation but not excessively because we wanted it to be appealing in a human scale. In terms of shape we agreed that a squared grid would be simple to execute and to adjust, as it works in both orientations.
Figure 1: Marta Puig Parnau; Grid design, measurements and unites.
In more detail the pieces are designed thinking on the construction process, and allowing to advance with some steps before getting all the materials. We know that we will need time to get the mirror squares so that is going to be the last thing on the assembly chain.
The most difficult part is the axis, we need it to rotate the pieces and it implies that these pieces must have a hole within its thickness. We have decided that the easiest option would be to avoid drilling the mirrors and use two assembled pieces with the axis in between.
Figure 2: Marta Puig Parnau; Grid design, axis and spin pieces solutions.
Before constructing the whole grid, we have made a small prototype with draft materials just to see how it works, test the size and evaluate the construction process.
Figure 3: Group 4; Rotating Mirror Prototype; 2018; University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield.
From that construction we extract two conclusions:
- it is better if the axis is vertical, because gravity doesn’t effect in case of imprecision on the axis position, and the pieces can spin without getting stuck.
- it is easiest if the axis is fixed to the frame and the pieces are constructed attached to this axis but allowing enough movement.
So it seems that next step will be its proper construction.
