SAVAGE CONCEPTS
Products & Objects
Prototypes
In beginning my prototypes for this piece, I wanted to get measurements of the potter’s wheel that I had chosen.
I picked this potter’s wheel because:
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wheel on the end of the run as it gave me space beside the machine to set up my prototype to test
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Shimpo potter’s wheel which means that it has the ability to have the foot pedal going as a set speed
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the foot pedal can be moved around so another side
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it can also reverse the rotation on the wheel, so that I have the opportunity to test for left-handed potters but also have full control over the variables that could be an option
I chose to make a card model based off of these measurements to see if I had given enough space around what it was that I was trying to make.
From these starting steps I made the first working card model. This has a squared off peg which stopped the arm freely rotating. This was to test the theory that I had that it would become a hinderance.
Result: this card model showed that the squared off peg was a hinderance and that it restricted the movement available. The position of the cogs was a problem as it led to the arm twisting and jamming in the slot on the stand
My next model was a large model in wood. This was so that I could test he model on the wheel with clay. The card model wouldn’t have had enough structural strength to it to be able to hold against the friction of the clay. It has 3d printed attachment so I could test what shape would be suited to the clay.
Result: This prototype showed me what the response would be with the clay. The base of the stand needed to have more weight to it to counteract the force applied to it by the clay. I found the attachment of the tip to be frustrating as it was digging into the clay – the sharp corners were a problem, but I like the feature where by you can change the tip over as you want to. This design feature would add to the life span of the product, given the abrasive nature of clay and the potential need to adjust and change what you want to make.
Card model 2 – from this model I was able to make changes that were needed from the first working card model. This one has a rounded pin, so to ensure that arm can rotate, as well as changing the position of the cogs behind - meaning that the string runs inline with the slot, so the arm runs smoother and doesn’t jam. The cogs also had a textured pattern inside, so that it has a better grip on the cord that is part of the rotation.
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In addition, I added a removable tip to the card model, similarly to the wooden model, as i can see that with the abrasiveness of clay, the tip would become mishapen and wear out after time. This ability to change the tips removes the risk of planned obsolescence.
Result: the movement within this model is easier to adjust – meaning that the clay can be easier adjusted and manipulated.
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Tip 2.0
From the feedback gathered from using the wooden prototype with clay, the first tip dug into the clay, causing issues with the finish that was achieved. From this, I developed a new tip, with rounded ball feature on the end, this enables a good finish from any direction, it will mean that the process as a whole would take longer and maybe a series of head would need to be developed to create a piece from start to finish.
Result: the outcome from using the tip was a better finish
