DESIGN NAME: Qu4tro
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Stool or Sidetable
INSPIRATION: The design draws inspiration from origami, which are greatly appreciated for its elegance and clever use of the materials properties to achieve beautiful three-dimensional objects.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Qu4tro stool is made of 4 identical parts which are produced by lasercutting and folding sheet metal. The design aims to create a three-dimensional and functional object from a flat material with a gesture as simple as cutting and folding paper. Sheet metal was choosen for it's similarity to paper used in origamis when it comes to slenderness, reciclability and structural behavior after folding. Qu4tro fabrication process is designed to make the most out of the sheet area. Parametric design and digital fabrication allows product customization and decentralized production.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: Parametric design allows easy customization of the product. The use of digital fabrication techniques allows on-demand production of batches of any size at suppliers close to the final product's destination. In case it needs to be shipped or stored, the parts can be stacked and packed togheter minimizing it's volume.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The development of the product started in April 2015 and the first prototype was produced in June that same year. Improvements were made to it's algorithm over the years.
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Furniture Design
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: Parts are made of 2mm thick sheet steel and fabricated through lasercutting and folding with sheet bending press. Powder coating finish.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: Width 310mm x Depth 310mm x Height 450mm
TAGS: CNC, lasercutting, digital fabrication, parametric design, steel, origami, folding, customizable
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: -
CHALLENGE: The main challenge was to understand the manufacturing process and limitations of sheet steel bending machines and try to translate the elegance and ease of making observed in origamis into the process of making Qu4tro's parts. After sketching the idea parametric design was used to further refine the design of it's parts, tracking the results of improvements both in 2d and 3d as changes were made. The product was optimized for remote production through the use of digital fabrication.
ADDED DATE: 2018-09-23 17:32:26
TEAM MEMBERS (1) :
IMAGE CREDITS: Marcos Bravo, 2018.
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