https://balwitcheung.com balwitcheungresearchdesign Mon, 12 May 2025 05:50:10 +0000 https://balwitcheung.com en https://balwitcheung.com/Home Thu, 27 Feb 2020 04:17:31 +0000 balwitcheungresearchdesign https://balwitcheung.com/Home /* Smartphone Portrait and Landscape */ @media screen and (max-width: 600px){ .mobileHide { visibility: hidden; display: none; } } https://balwitcheung.com/Arnhem-Core Mon, 12 May 2025 05:50:10 +0000 balwitcheungresearchdesign https://balwitcheung.com/Arnhem-Core arnheMN coreJustin, 2019 a digital instrument Taking inspiration from two contrasting deserts, the ArnheNM Core combines the radioactive plutonium history of the high deserts in New Mexico with the rhythmic drones of the didjeridoo of Indigenous Australia. It can be described as a radioactive drone pipe, an aerophonic geiger counter, a core drawn from the deserts of Arnhem land and New Mexico. It features three components that are stored in an insulating carrying case: the main controller, the opposing handle, and an attachable loudspeaker. The Core was designed in Rhino3D and fabricated from lasercut baltic birch. It runs an ArduinoUNO, with four sensors. Sound synthesis is written in Faust and performed on an external computer.Onboard MCU is an Arduino nano. Sensing is done with some linear pots, accels, TOF distance sensor, rotary encoder. Sound is played to a speaker which is housed in the long canister. <img width="2500" height="1668" width_o="2500" height_o="1668" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9f8914fca6c682e50e07989a167b27a4dc2ff3f88493951233ceef32703f0774/DSC_0449.jpg" data-mid="233070890" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9f8914fca6c682e50e07989a167b27a4dc2ff3f88493951233ceef32703f0774/DSC_0449.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1668" width_o="2500" height_o="1668" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4eec37636f47cd21b68acca474280bef61d111cdf8ed2a866b3a3e7897ccd34b/DSC_0430.jpg" data-mid="233070888" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4eec37636f47cd21b68acca474280bef61d111cdf8ed2a866b3a3e7897ccd34b/DSC_0430.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1668" width_o="2500" height_o="1668" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7883fc8b4da4cd840d15c7dba3960b08b40683d96c4829cc7fb6b19c172be4f2/image-asset.jpg" data-mid="233070887" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7883fc8b4da4cd840d15c7dba3960b08b40683d96c4829cc7fb6b19c172be4f2/image-asset.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1668" width_o="2500" height_o="1668" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/10f0a4049066693d835bc988bbc11b820d7d12bbdc2373e9b872004bdb8f6913/DSC_0499.jpg" data-mid="233070892" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/10f0a4049066693d835bc988bbc11b820d7d12bbdc2373e9b872004bdb8f6913/DSC_0499.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1668" width_o="2500" height_o="1668" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/24d40f1066e1a7b7846a6c76833160f9c107d9d45d182386992098dd9374a1db/DSC_0437.jpg" data-mid="233070889" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/24d40f1066e1a7b7846a6c76833160f9c107d9d45d182386992098dd9374a1db/DSC_0437.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1668" width_o="2500" height_o="1668" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6f7e4a64a8c78c1805a835de2356948c3aaa9eac957e7736a2efed82c2555a24/DSC_0453.jpg" data-mid="233070891" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6f7e4a64a8c78c1805a835de2356948c3aaa9eac957e7736a2efed82c2555a24/DSC_0453.jpg" /> <img width="7360" height="4912" width_o="7360" height_o="4912" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f61445b675e838a26b985e0238943f0a4a3967ecc6714bd41e8a0ca68fa7cdaf/img-6.jpg" data-mid="233070827" border="0" data-marker-id="2" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f61445b675e838a26b985e0238943f0a4a3967ecc6714bd41e8a0ca68fa7cdaf/img-6.jpg" /> <img width="7360" height="4912" width_o="7360" height_o="4912" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/654f0d574f473cdeb90a61d0e3e9d85859db66ba40bef80ffb8015d373de0b3b/img-5.jpg" data-mid="233070826" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/654f0d574f473cdeb90a61d0e3e9d85859db66ba40bef80ffb8015d373de0b3b/img-5.jpg" /> https://balwitcheung.com/Big-Plotter Fri, 14 Jul 2023 14:44:52 +0000 balwitcheungresearchdesign https://balwitcheung.com/Big-Plotter Big PlotterJustin, 2023 ongoing A classic case of a small need turning into a new idea turning into a bigger project turning into a CNC machine A few years ago I found some vintage (1980’s) vogue Issey Miyake patterns. I finally felt like sewing these (they are quite involved), but the fragility of the ~40 year old tracing paper made it worrying to handle. I decided I needed a way to digitise these patterns. Manully taking photos then tracing works okay; I have tried it before on other drafting projects (see barbera coat), but it is hard to do accurately. There is a lot of distortion, lighting, overlap etc that is hard to deal with.&nbsp; So I decided I needed to take repeatable images of the pattern, and know where my camera is (i.e. a scanner). Though the pattern pages fit into an A5 envelope, unfolded some are &gt;1m in long dimension (these are mostly coats). So the working area had to be quite large. I settled on 4’ x 4’ based on dimensions of scrap in the garage. Originally I thought this could be passive - maybe some encoders on a frame that measured where my camera was for each photo, but I thought why not turn it into 2 axis CNC setup. Then I could plot/cut out whatever I digitise. It’s only a couple of motors, some belts, an MCU, quite a few drivers, power supplies, wire, and more robust lienar rails, right? <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/94657f9934119a512cba56ba0252d096a5a813d93a30b7077c21fb8fd461f932/IMG_5246.jpeg" data-mid="185451617" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/94657f9934119a512cba56ba0252d096a5a813d93a30b7077c21fb8fd461f932/IMG_5246.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9797d2eb1ce93a3a8adf466e4c3452571dfc31f5e68f701482876833fab9eaca/IMG_5244.jpeg" data-mid="185451616" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9797d2eb1ce93a3a8adf466e4c3452571dfc31f5e68f701482876833fab9eaca/IMG_5244.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b036a0ed92d993f334fdeea40c67c47be26466116cbfee9cebd2762cf2be28b1/IMG_0165.jpeg" data-mid="185451262" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b036a0ed92d993f334fdeea40c67c47be26466116cbfee9cebd2762cf2be28b1/IMG_0165.jpeg" /> I took a lot of instruction/lessons learned from Maniacal labs’ Cyberplotter. I already owned a smoothieboard, but any other CNC control board would work. They are quite cheap now compared to when I got my smoothie. I used a similar standard 2 drive motor to actuate the gantry, and single motor to actuate the toolhead.&nbsp; Linear carriages and frame I had lots of 4’ 80/20 extrusion lying around from other projects. I really don’t like cutting it down so 4’ became the defining dimension. Specialised 80/20 linear carriages are very expensive - so first up was designing my own carriages. I printed them on the Fuse 1. Each has 16 roller bearings (4 for each face) and are adjustable using a long M3 bolt. The result is quite a low play and smooth movement. <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6510b23c66f27e5ffaa6116c1b9a0b4d1d53a1fd81b4e10b85a583295a1dc1ed/IMG_5917.jpeg" data-mid="185451311" border="0" alt="carriage iterations" data-caption="carriage iterations" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6510b23c66f27e5ffaa6116c1b9a0b4d1d53a1fd81b4e10b85a583295a1dc1ed/IMG_5917.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fff40237118948edf201feb71cae9a7e81a342cd0659bde59e8c0882afbc5b00/IMG_3782.jpeg" data-mid="185451285" border="0" alt="semi-assembled" data-caption="semi-assembled" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/fff40237118948edf201feb71cae9a7e81a342cd0659bde59e8c0882afbc5b00/IMG_3782.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d488638d525a33c9b8610d5e02e4765292a4010cc50e5f72a61c73460b942b9a/IMG_3764.jpeg" data-mid="185451281" border="0" alt="finals awaiting inserts" data-caption="finals awaiting inserts" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/d488638d525a33c9b8610d5e02e4765292a4010cc50e5f72a61c73460b942b9a/IMG_3764.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/43c827cb911a85a2a325133cc23e2ec7fa356dd2b6058091cb0de740855b581e/IMG_3788.jpeg" data-mid="185451290" border="0" alt="final carriage" data-caption="final carriage" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/43c827cb911a85a2a325133cc23e2ec7fa356dd2b6058091cb0de740855b581e/IMG_3788.jpeg" /> The end pieces to connect the frame are simple and were also printed on the Fuse 1. Glenora made a habit of laying down in the middle of the workbed whenever I tried to work on it. <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/313c5d76d0155c6bc4c7b549270de3cddd2d6ab19edef1bee21f11ddf3d7d42c/IMG_2709.jpeg" data-mid="185451267" border="0" alt="Glenora in the outer frame assembly" data-caption="Glenora in the outer frame assembly" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/313c5d76d0155c6bc4c7b549270de3cddd2d6ab19edef1bee21f11ddf3d7d42c/IMG_2709.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ed9fcc42740c28253455936811e26ec8691dcc6e77e91b3b7a466e949526339d/IMG_2771.jpeg" data-mid="185451276" border="0" alt="Glenora making room for the gantry " data-caption="Glenora making room for the gantry " src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/ed9fcc42740c28253455936811e26ec8691dcc6e77e91b3b7a466e949526339d/IMG_2771.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b90814b5e0f2bf17d931edaff2ec6724cb4e87909f464d8124ec4d7be700b416/IMG_3851.jpeg" data-mid="185451298" border="0" alt="Glenora ready wanting to play with fish" data-caption="Glenora ready wanting to play with fish" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b90814b5e0f2bf17d931edaff2ec6724cb4e87909f464d8124ec4d7be700b416/IMG_3851.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f016da4c14d4ff94bdc01d218886bf87cd25338e10d9fb2f68e335424708dbc9/IMG_3873.jpeg" data-mid="185451302" border="0" alt="Glenora making it clear it is bedtime" data-caption="Glenora making it clear it is bedtime" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f016da4c14d4ff94bdc01d218886bf87cd25338e10d9fb2f68e335424708dbc9/IMG_3873.jpeg" /> The Fuse 1 prints teeth quite nicely so was able to use a simple 3D printed tensioning mechanism without having to clamp. Tool head I messed around on rhino a bunch and ended up with a goofy but funcitonal toolhead that uses a pancake stepper to actuate z. I want it to have changeable tools but have only made the sharpie/pen holder so far. See it in action “embossing” some “leather” for some assless chaps: Electronics 24V DC power supply feeds the external stepper drivers (x and y). 12V powering the smoothieboard drivers (z). 5V for smoothieboard logic. PC talks to smoothieboard (sends gcode) via usb serial. <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f8fb68095c0b2e432bceb1e03b03308b189d82cab424784e1e2070ef2c8f80f5/IMG_4164.jpeg" data-mid="185451307" border="0" alt="messy test setup..." data-caption="messy test setup..." src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f8fb68095c0b2e432bceb1e03b03308b189d82cab424784e1e2070ef2c8f80f5/IMG_4164.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b55c6ed0fd07a2353c6c005a9f293afcbd9cf0e160283c418a1b6baa92f7ab15/IMG_6193.jpeg" data-mid="185451315" border="0" alt="finally added drag chains" data-caption="finally added drag chains" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b55c6ed0fd07a2353c6c005a9f293afcbd9cf0e160283c418a1b6baa92f7ab15/IMG_6193.jpeg" /> <img width="4032" height="3024" width_o="4032" height_o="3024" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/85f9839c4489c520c39787685c97972d6a50952492617bd973b5d6110d9977f8/IMG_6187.jpeg" data-mid="185452780" border="0" alt="All electronics on a single board" data-caption="All electronics on a single board" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/85f9839c4489c520c39787685c97972d6a50952492617bd973b5d6110d9977f8/IMG_6187.jpeg" /> Software There are a lot of open source 2 and 2.5 axis CNC controllers out there. I started off with Laserweb. Adam Haile developed a GUI called plottercon, built on printcore, to do exactly this - take images on an x-y gantry at known positions. I modified plottercon a little to suit my needs and got scanning, using standard cv2 image undistortion. I expected post processing and stitching to be quite easy, but am finding it less robust than expected. The patterns are quite sparse (e.g. one long curving line for the edge of a piece), so I added fiducials where I could. The paper is also somewhat translucent, so I tried drawing patterns on the underlayer to add features. <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4f518321582e869aefa274fa06bfecc20a8345f8061440eb9c61fb9db0be744e/IMG_6185.jpeg" data-mid="185451314" border="0" alt="distortion calibration" data-caption="distortion calibration" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4f518321582e869aefa274fa06bfecc20a8345f8061440eb9c61fb9db0be744e/IMG_6185.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1fedd44032da36c31524e1fad90f019111309126da0a59bd8ffc964c8f6eaf82/IMG_6196.jpeg" data-mid="185451319" border="0" alt="the sparse pattern sheet" data-caption="the sparse pattern sheet" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1fedd44032da36c31524e1fad90f019111309126da0a59bd8ffc964c8f6eaf82/IMG_6196.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b036a0ed92d993f334fdeea40c67c47be26466116cbfee9cebd2762cf2be28b1/IMG_0165.jpeg" data-mid="185451262" border="0" alt="adding features" data-caption="adding features" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b036a0ed92d993f334fdeea40c67c47be26466116cbfee9cebd2762cf2be28b1/IMG_0165.jpeg" /> I tried a few off the shelf stitching solutions (Fiji, stitcher) but did not have robust results. So i copped out and decided it to do it semi-manually. The plan was to import all the images into an illustrator file and place them at their known positions. I figured that I would be tracing in Illustrator anyway, and could make the small adjustments needed. Scripting this was also harder than I thought, since Illustrator scripting uses Adobe ExtendScript, which turns out is not javascript but Adobe’s own language that is somewhat different. The script I wrote places the undistorted images with a lowered alpha. After a few small rotations it is quite traceable, dxf-able and g-codeable, all to be sent back to the Plottre to trace on paper. More documentation to come image image https://balwitcheung.com/aesop Tue, 29 Nov 2022 17:19:39 +0000 balwitcheungresearchdesign https://balwitcheung.com/aesop aesopjustin, halloween 2022 <img width="1170" height="409" width_o="1170" height_o="409" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f6c2cf6f619bdef88069b9ac90e16f18a940055512399d9e5965a7d902c5aceb/IMG_8981.jpeg" data-mid="185414127" border="0" alt="the call" data-caption="the call" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f6c2cf6f619bdef88069b9ac90e16f18a940055512399d9e5965a7d902c5aceb/IMG_8981.jpeg" /> A few days before halloween, our friend Jordan messaged me about a halloween party while I was in&nbsp; the bathroom. I had no costume ideas at that point,&nbsp; but I scanned the room and inspiration struck&nbsp;🧴️ I like massive, unweildy costumes, and ideally they are interactive.The afternoon before halloween, and without much planning, I went to Joann’s with a $40 budget and bought:2 cans of silly string5 yards of ‘mocha’ cotton fabric @ $3.99 a yard1 yard of ‘latte’ cotton fabric @ $3.99 a yard2 plant wreath framesblack acrylic paintI already had:a safety helmetpolystyrenescrap woodiron-on vinylnitinol wiresprings and bamboo skewers <img width="1241" height="1551" width_o="1241" height_o="1551" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/323269938f55c7cb8f6f1f47820bd8c3959769cfee77b55ed93de5c229c532d8/A10ED258-EC3E-4533-A4C9-D1DAD058F68B.jpeg" data-mid="185414118" border="0" alt="inspiration" data-caption="inspiration" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/323269938f55c7cb8f6f1f47820bd8c3959769cfee77b55ed93de5c229c532d8/A10ED258-EC3E-4533-A4C9-D1DAD058F68B.jpeg" /><img width="1440" height="1799" width_o="1440" height_o="1799" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7d44f3167d2729d504f2307b3eec268ab15809b59fa3a00429aba9d1764f9aec/2ACA73D3-0A02-4536-85EE-B9BBEA7621C2.jpeg" data-mid="185414116" border="0" alt="final" data-caption="final" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7d44f3167d2729d504f2307b3eec268ab15809b59fa3a00429aba9d1764f9aec/2ACA73D3-0A02-4536-85EE-B9BBEA7621C2.jpeg" /> Foam cutting a top I needed to construct a cylindrical form that represented the bottle’s plunger base. I used spare polystyrene but had to hack together a hot wire cutter. Scrap wood, nitinol wire, bolts, DC bench power supply with current control: <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0b8572bd5b304c365198e9608888f7c7a1b4027b34963653cb55c9bf14d2cb95/IMG_8928.jpeg" data-mid="185414123" border="0" alt="scrap baltic birch" data-caption="scrap baltic birch" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0b8572bd5b304c365198e9608888f7c7a1b4027b34963653cb55c9bf14d2cb95/IMG_8928.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f374e877a01ba4d8af5fba271dc5614eab4f875c0473bed3a947c2d2b6546693/IMG_8923.jpeg" data-mid="185414122" border="0" alt="ready to cut" data-caption="ready to cut" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f374e877a01ba4d8af5fba271dc5614eab4f875c0473bed3a947c2d2b6546693/IMG_8923.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3324b2bfe9820746d63403816fe677c0341c584f4431b87de4eb2b17171f89c8/IMG_8936.jpeg" data-mid="185416039" border="0" alt="with bench DC power" data-caption="with bench DC power" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3324b2bfe9820746d63403816fe677c0341c584f4431b87de4eb2b17171f89c8/IMG_8936.jpeg" /> I was able to use this to ‘turn’ some nice cylindrical pieces. I attached a stack of these to the top of a safety helmet, which would form the housing for the squirty mechanism. Squirty Mechanism I needed a linear motion constraint to house the silly string and press its nozzle. It had to be lightweight, and quite small - there wasn’t much room on the helmet. I also wanted it to be spring loaded (so the plunger would not get ‘stuck’ in the down position, and for there to be some travel before it actuated the nozzle. I thought this would make pressing the plunger feel more realistic (greater force at the end of the stroke).Initially I looked around for some PVC with matching OD/ID, but couldn’t find any. So I decided i had to turn some. I used some scrap persimmon wood and roughly turned it to make a sleeve. The wood allowed me to ‘embed’ linear rails - I used bamboo cooking skewers. They have a nice &lt;0.25” diameter which played well with some compression springs I had. I pre-drilled the rail guides before splitting the sleeve. <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d7c647b0438a7f097d6b8d0baddaae6bb5ed68daf00737dd615affc33a24bdd4/IMG_8962.jpeg" data-mid="185414125" border="0" alt="rail guides pre-slice" data-caption="rail guides pre-slice" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/d7c647b0438a7f097d6b8d0baddaae6bb5ed68daf00737dd615affc33a24bdd4/IMG_8962.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/dbf19e04b78422c63d06a7823d1cb18b60ed7bc0789d9851f556d16022ded9f1/IMG_8974.jpeg" data-mid="185414126" border="0" alt="with goop" data-caption="with goop" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/dbf19e04b78422c63d06a7823d1cb18b60ed7bc0789d9851f556d16022ded9f1/IMG_8974.jpeg" /> I closed it all up in some cosmetic foam, tested it while chatting to Tash in the UK, and gave it a coat of acrylic paint. <img width="1440" height="1800" width_o="1440" height_o="1800" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e29f7fee28875526f1345545250cf09c796361895bf3edeb6c2778b6ef4738f6/CEED4251-8315-408F-A1E7-547E495FE0CD.jpeg" data-mid="185414119" border="0" alt="assembled on hat" data-caption="assembled on hat" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/e29f7fee28875526f1345545250cf09c796361895bf3edeb6c2778b6ef4738f6/CEED4251-8315-408F-A1E7-547E495FE0CD.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/cba72a98e71480cee84ce0d2fc00f22dbaff1caac2dbbb650ab307f762b6771b/IMG_0054.jpeg" data-mid="185414120" border="0" alt="many messed cuts" data-caption="many messed cuts" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/cba72a98e71480cee84ce0d2fc00f22dbaff1caac2dbbb650ab307f762b6771b/IMG_0054.jpeg" /> Sewing and structure At this point it was only a few hours before the party, so I did some quick sewing and ‘draping’ over the wreath frames I bought. I used some cricut iron-on vinyl for abbreviated lettering. It works really well; it almost looks screenprinted. <img width="1440" height="1800" width_o="1440" height_o="1800" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6c6dbf67226a8013bab2b3625282ab1d5f02d8c2d4c34bfe248a9c34cee5a32d/82D2A432-F2DC-4FB3-AD41-50F173285F96.jpeg" data-mid="185414117" border="0" alt="very quick pattern with frame overlay" data-caption="very quick pattern with frame overlay" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6c6dbf67226a8013bab2b3625282ab1d5f02d8c2d4c34bfe248a9c34cee5a32d/82D2A432-F2DC-4FB3-AD41-50F173285F96.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/18720b5f42bf8f80a5d5049c5c9a58ff069cee9ba9f8c0b8345bbb4604b457c1/IMG_8985.jpeg" data-mid="185420130" border="0" alt="Cut out" data-caption="Cut out" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/18720b5f42bf8f80a5d5049c5c9a58ff069cee9ba9f8c0b8345bbb4604b457c1/IMG_8985.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6de190eda62ee11f6da769dd3c327a70d2eec51daa6e6a54e51525eff7a9e10f/IMG_8986.jpeg" data-mid="185414128" border="0" alt="sewn with contrast panels" data-caption="sewn with contrast panels" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6de190eda62ee11f6da769dd3c327a70d2eec51daa6e6a54e51525eff7a9e10f/IMG_8986.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bca38106f97f4c284e521cc309574e77510c24bf082b369ff46d94232e82a841/IMG_8990.jpeg" data-mid="185414129" border="0" alt="iron on vinyl" data-caption="iron on vinyl" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/bca38106f97f4c284e521cc309574e77510c24bf082b369ff46d94232e82a841/IMG_8990.jpeg" /> And then it was good to go. At Jordan and Madi’s party, with Carlos helping instruct: <img width="1440" height="1799" width_o="1440" height_o="1799" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7d44f3167d2729d504f2307b3eec268ab15809b59fa3a00429aba9d1764f9aec/2ACA73D3-0A02-4536-85EE-B9BBEA7621C2.jpeg" data-mid="185414116" border="0" alt="saop Dady" data-caption="saop Dady" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7d44f3167d2729d504f2307b3eec268ab15809b59fa3a00429aba9d1764f9aec/2ACA73D3-0A02-4536-85EE-B9BBEA7621C2.jpeg" /> https://balwitcheung.com/CNC-Weaving-investigations Mon, 22 Aug 2022 00:30:26 +0000 balwitcheungresearchdesign https://balwitcheung.com/CNC-Weaving-investigations weaving investigations justin, 2020 - present, ongoing I’ve been poking around old&nbsp; images of looms and have been trying to eductate myself on their mechanisms and the nuances that make them enjoyable to work with. So far I have built a few test pieces. Weaving itself is quite slow, and I have built more looms than I have woven finished pieces...&nbsp;😭️ 4 builds so far: 1. rigid heddle 2. 36” 4 shaft loom 3. motorised, pattern reading 4-8shaft 12” loom 4. jacquard loom (WIP)v1: super quick rigid heddle loomBuilt from scrap plywood, a few dowels, and a lasercut heddle.This was a proof of concept, and I wove a tiny sampler and wrapped my head around the process. Having woven a 3”x3” sampler, I decided I needed to size up 10x and build 36” wide, 4 shaft loom, 20+ dpi for silk, without ever having seen a loom in real life. <img width="6000" height="4000" width_o="6000" height_o="4000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b442c110cee1aa99fcc51c63cf67cf7c7055bfa7533c0bda7387deed003245e7/img-1-2.jpg" data-mid="232794426" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b442c110cee1aa99fcc51c63cf67cf7c7055bfa7533c0bda7387deed003245e7/img-1-2.jpg" /><img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9e6bdc3ce5ea19177cf5528e70fb610c3df92a4cf02858ee0bfeb7df00427a56/img-1.jpg" data-mid="232794414" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9e6bdc3ce5ea19177cf5528e70fb610c3df92a4cf02858ee0bfeb7df00427a56/img-1.jpg" /><img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d31845a7ccaa7f9761b6067fdf4757347c520fa514a0c29e044d9d5ca6b0113b/lelerc-loom---36-of-58.jpeg" data-mid="232792756" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/d31845a7ccaa7f9761b6067fdf4757347c520fa514a0c29e044d9d5ca6b0113b/lelerc-loom---36-of-58.jpeg" /> v2: overly ambitious 36” 4 shaft loom Pictures of the mechanisms weren’t that easy to find, so I made up a lot along the way, or reverse engineered from videos.I did not have my own shop at the time and was using John’s woodshop, so I tried to make as much of this out of wood (pine s4s from big box store).I dado-ed 4 slots to make make heddle guides, and made the heddle themselves out of rounded rectangular steel extrusion (horizontals) and lasercut baltic birch (vertical guide runners). I bought eyes from etsy (captain yarn) which fit on the extrusions.While assembing these I realised that eyes have orientation and had to re-thread them a few times.The shaft raising/lowering mechanism was made from some scrap PVC as rollers and a lasercut baltic birch structure, bolted onto the castle. I used found paracord to actuate each shaft; this turned out to be a bad material choice as the paracord would quickly elongate and not lift its shaft fully. The cords were fed from the centre to the edges to provide force on both sides, directly above the rails.The winding rods are quite nice. I used a Form3 to make a ratcheting brake.I bought a reed on ebay (24DPI I think). At first I tried to make my own using steel wire + lasercut frame and guides, but this proved too hard to get taut and also take too long to make it down the 36”. I managed to wind about 8” before giving up and going on ebay.At this point I wanted to get weaving, so the reed whacker is quite underbuilt. It is not rigid enough and will eventually break the reed if not stabilised, but it was enough to get me weaving.I then discovered that warping up also takes quite a long time, so I decided to start iwth a 6” sampler. I was able to weave a bunch of patterns successfully, but at this point I decided that it was too slow and I needed to automate it. <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4c9e32f81739b41a4f5516198278ac3a1c797babf142b91bb160d0f5587bb06a/lelerc-loom---1-of-58.jpeg" data-mid="232792740" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4c9e32f81739b41a4f5516198278ac3a1c797babf142b91bb160d0f5587bb06a/lelerc-loom---1-of-58.jpeg" /><img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2f635b1204b7d04ba8d57c431ed523d796e2c4fc75d59f15280ad5b929b3e99b/lelerc-loom---57-of-58.jpeg" data-mid="232792761" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2f635b1204b7d04ba8d57c431ed523d796e2c4fc75d59f15280ad5b929b3e99b/lelerc-loom---57-of-58.jpeg" /> v3: motorised 4/8 shaft controller retrofit of a 12” Lelerc loom, pattern reading from rPiSimple actuation of hand levers using servos and string. Controlled by a headless Pi and GUI interfaced via vnc.I use a great iOS app called WeaveIt to draft designs. It makes it easy to plan tie-ups and handles multiple colours well to represent overshot patterns. The app outputs a fairly standard .WIF (weaving information file). A set of python scripts on the Pi parses the WIF file, and passes the information to a controller GUI. The GUI allows the user to navigate through the weft pattern, row by row (or jump to row). The shafts will be lowered/raised according to the pattern. Threading the shuttle is still manual, but this saves a lot of time - you don’t need to let go of the shuttles, you don’t make mistakes by lowering/raising the wrong shaft, and you don’t have to get lost trying to find your place in a pattern sheet. <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/798688ef3adc967189f7c5b742a5b4dc497a6dbcfbda0461fa3082ff40ac247a/IMG_8002.jpeg" data-mid="185623285" border="0" alt="Tieing up" data-caption="Tieing up" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/798688ef3adc967189f7c5b742a5b4dc497a6dbcfbda0461fa3082ff40ac247a/IMG_8002.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7ad23191e45bc96be75891374bd4a233a3ec896133c18e29591b695824758bdd/IMG_8047.jpeg" data-mid="185623286" border="0" alt="Gui in background" data-caption="Gui in background" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7ad23191e45bc96be75891374bd4a233a3ec896133c18e29591b695824758bdd/IMG_8047.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c60e37610d0c6ca3370a1cc4e8f628ae959a9ec0a4e25f32e33e4a320f5f59a1/IMG_8049.jpeg" data-mid="185623287" border="0" alt="Overshot starting" data-caption="Overshot starting" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c60e37610d0c6ca3370a1cc4e8f628ae959a9ec0a4e25f32e33e4a320f5f59a1/IMG_8049.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b95de2c060e8832756ed8e5633891a94872b15c7f71e7dab9895ddb7e949abf5/IMG_8051.jpeg" data-mid="185623288" border="0" alt="Overshot &quot;squares&quot;" data-caption="Overshot &quot;squares&quot;" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b95de2c060e8832756ed8e5633891a94872b15c7f71e7dab9895ddb7e949abf5/IMG_8051.jpeg" /> The first things I wove on this were some overshot squares. v4: upright tapestry loom I thought it would be nice to weave a book cover or stationery case or knitting pouch for Tash, and wanted it to be pictorial. We have an amazing photography book of a house of Luis Barragan, and had the idea to weave tapestries of these photos. They are quite geometric, have bright colours, and feel scale-less. I built a nice frame out of some red oak. I was feeling inserty so lined the side supports with 10-32 brass inserts, theoretically making it adjustable for different length tapestries. I used threaded rod on the top and bottom to make a DPI (dents per inch) reference and yarn spacer. Warping was a little awkward at first, but I added a rod through the middle, and with the help of some chairs was able to spin the entire loom and warp quite quickly. I also needed some shuttles, so I turned some. <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e85dd717df851dbf2602a01b5e2706d4f82e44981e47ca108a784368ce0b5d87/IMG_8779.jpeg" data-mid="185623290" border="0" alt="Barragan Reference" data-caption="Barragan Reference" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/e85dd717df851dbf2602a01b5e2706d4f82e44981e47ca108a784368ce0b5d87/IMG_8779.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2d2487aec9b2ea6517758244ec77ca7a9bcb0b755715f9e3aa221c5fbcef7221/IMG_8782.jpeg" data-mid="185623292" border="0" alt="Pattern transfer" data-caption="Pattern transfer" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2d2487aec9b2ea6517758244ec77ca7a9bcb0b755715f9e3aa221c5fbcef7221/IMG_8782.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e712b35c39019881a11e2393315fff7fd96c435500efe8b827c4440587b0bfe1/IMG_8776.jpeg" data-mid="185623289" border="0" alt="Tension uneveness" data-caption="Tension uneveness" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/e712b35c39019881a11e2393315fff7fd96c435500efe8b827c4440587b0bfe1/IMG_8776.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fc64c875d26f6fd14bf933cae01c5615a2886c4fa64a6bf50223b8e36913c7cf/IMG_8786.jpeg" data-mid="185623293" border="0" alt="slow going" data-caption="slow going" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/fc64c875d26f6fd14bf933cae01c5615a2886c4fa64a6bf50223b8e36913c7cf/IMG_8786.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/16ea81c644356b14816ae77f868b5841799155885f4eeae216b73e15a0b4ae92/IMG_9221.jpeg" data-mid="185623767" border="0" alt="shuttle 1 (maple)" data-caption="shuttle 1 (maple)" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/16ea81c644356b14816ae77f868b5841799155885f4eeae216b73e15a0b4ae92/IMG_9221.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/31ad2c7b0258a295d33cfd789b9616d9c445df32b23e7bff5edcba7d479d8830/IMG_9218.jpeg" data-mid="185623766" border="0" alt="shuttle 2 (acrylic)" data-caption="shuttle 2 (acrylic)" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/31ad2c7b0258a295d33cfd789b9616d9c445df32b23e7bff5edcba7d479d8830/IMG_9218.jpeg" /> x&nbsp; &nbsp; Actually weaving on the loom was slow going. Tensioning the warps evenly was difficult especially in the middle of the warps vs the edges. Currently it is still 1/8th of the way through and has sat against the wall for a year +. In the works: Rebuild of the 36” 4/8/16 shaft loom with motorised shaft control and pattern reading Simple jacquard (or at least dobby) loom. Addition of 4 more shafts to motorised Lelerc loom. Physical GUI to remove the need for a vnc gui. https://balwitcheung.com/Ceramics-2023 Fri, 14 Jul 2023 14:44:35 +0000 balwitcheungresearchdesign https://balwitcheung.com/Ceramics-2023 Pottery 2023 Justin and Tash, ongoing 2023 Tash taught me how to throw in April 2023. I loved it, and we got an old (1960s) Skutt model B wheel from Tash’s dad to use. He had it gorgeously set up by the river in Santa Fe. It is a beautiful single piece cast metal + enamel(?) basin, but is a bit off true and has a rope controlled speed adjustment that is hard to use (becomes pretty much a 2 speed). <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/380cb32115e6d9bdaac9fca053124b7599785d71cbc6f902f672f7636ed88d7b/IMG_9007.jpeg" data-mid="185393335" border="0" alt="The old Skutt Model B" data-caption="The old Skutt Model B" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/380cb32115e6d9bdaac9fca053124b7599785d71cbc6f902f672f7636ed88d7b/IMG_9007.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0bd71814cbd61ec7911f8416a2b557624c75c7e1f5610b905aa4cefca511d531/IMG_5230.jpeg" data-mid="185393333" border="0" alt="Unboxing the Brent" data-caption="Unboxing the Brent" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0bd71814cbd61ec7911f8416a2b557624c75c7e1f5610b905aa4cefca511d531/IMG_5230.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b9f03b9952bc116899e4cd073b36c8a8567efa4f44cec482db9710830953bf6c/IMG_6326.jpeg" data-mid="185393334" border="0" alt="Test Bisque in Paragon Sentry" data-caption="Test Bisque in Paragon Sentry" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b9f03b9952bc116899e4cd073b36c8a8567efa4f44cec482db9710830953bf6c/IMG_6326.jpeg" /> So we bought a Brent CXC wheel after a week with the Skutt. In the first 6 weeks of owning the wheel I threw about 50 pieces.&nbsp; <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d984c158661245184a1fadc1d92f14076c42d48b983d24fb236c55d0572aaaae/IMG_7045.jpeg" data-mid="185393541" border="0" alt="My first ~50 things thrown" data-caption="My first ~50 things thrown" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/d984c158661245184a1fadc1d92f14076c42d48b983d24fb236c55d0572aaaae/IMG_7045.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/21e1dbd46829aeac1d1f0af2a60bc9c7e8cd355d3e41e1c9ced5972cd841dc17/IMG_7366.jpeg" data-mid="185454222" border="0" alt="Glazed and ready to fire" data-caption="Glazed and ready to fire" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/21e1dbd46829aeac1d1f0af2a60bc9c7e8cd355d3e41e1c9ced5972cd841dc17/IMG_7366.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1738b957771856cd69beb8e044b05ae4e94ec40f457ca17ca3063dc984597b6e/IMG_7439.jpeg" data-mid="185393559" border="0" alt="Glaze fired" data-caption="Glaze fired" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1738b957771856cd69beb8e044b05ae4e94ec40f457ca17ca3063dc984597b6e/IMG_7439.jpeg" /> I test bisqued in my glass kiln (can go up to 1094C, cone 04-05). The rest were bisque fired at New Mexico clay. I was leaving for the UK a few days after the bisque, so booked in a glaze firing immediately and glazed everything in a day. It was my first time glazing so it was somewhat blind and experimental. It is hard not to buy all the colours. Main glazes used: Ironstone: Spectrum floating glazes (Twilight, Nori Green, Glacier), Spectrum texture Cobalt Anasazi 5/6: Coyote (Shino, Sapphire, Almost Teal, Desert Sage) Cashmere: Spectrum (Clear), Coyote (Crazed copper, enchanted sunset)Some of the pieces: <img width="5807" height="3871" width_o="5807" height_o="3871" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/51b76517e98fba3c5f3f0fa09a21cf882676ac09561e4653f464d633eb4461e2/pottri_round1_img-3.jpg" data-mid="185391936" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/51b76517e98fba3c5f3f0fa09a21cf882676ac09561e4653f464d633eb4461e2/pottri_round1_img-3.jpg" /> <img width="6000" height="4000" width_o="6000" height_o="4000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d9ee561a9c01f6b3c6b79d32f8aab63a80cf8fa51c720987b51207b441606191/pottri_round1_img-23.jpg" data-mid="185391957" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/d9ee561a9c01f6b3c6b79d32f8aab63a80cf8fa51c720987b51207b441606191/pottri_round1_img-23.jpg" /> <img width="5765" height="3843" width_o="5765" height_o="3843" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/af3233aba96fb25ac0d618cd646aaa0d6b72d0476d9b6d3455e5bcebf61ba72a/pottri_round1_img-20.jpg" data-mid="185391954" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/af3233aba96fb25ac0d618cd646aaa0d6b72d0476d9b6d3455e5bcebf61ba72a/pottri_round1_img-20.jpg" /> <img width="6000" height="4000" width_o="6000" height_o="4000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/272fd10fda1b5ee59da05d88b7261eec3376faa63f5a70ca94f090429cd0c46d/pottri_round1_img-1.jpg" data-mid="185391934" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/272fd10fda1b5ee59da05d88b7261eec3376faa63f5a70ca94f090429cd0c46d/pottri_round1_img-1.jpg" /> <img width="5862" height="3908" width_o="5862" height_o="3908" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b9114fcfe8560f8ad339413aad2bff0d80a6037078acebab9f1d63d46b10245e/pottri_round1_img-10.jpg" data-mid="185391944" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b9114fcfe8560f8ad339413aad2bff0d80a6037078acebab9f1d63d46b10245e/pottri_round1_img-10.jpg" /> <img width="6000" height="4000" width_o="6000" height_o="4000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5143cfa351de8c5cdbff50442496f919714891009c9e715b66bf9d24dfeecf31/pottri_round1_img-8.jpg" data-mid="185391942" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5143cfa351de8c5cdbff50442496f919714891009c9e715b66bf9d24dfeecf31/pottri_round1_img-8.jpg" /> <img width="6000" height="4000" width_o="6000" height_o="4000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/587ba7c427e1eace4fc0429f058d3b3de919db48f983c1be512a0a6e7fdc8232/pottri_round1_img-4.jpg" data-mid="185391937" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/587ba7c427e1eace4fc0429f058d3b3de919db48f983c1be512a0a6e7fdc8232/pottri_round1_img-4.jpg" /> <img width="6000" height="4000" width_o="6000" height_o="4000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/488e5019be0faac6859f04765b228248cc58f2e1412032dd92abb4ed898c32c6/pottri_round1_img-7.jpg" data-mid="185391941" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/488e5019be0faac6859f04765b228248cc58f2e1412032dd92abb4ed898c32c6/pottri_round1_img-7.jpg" /> <img width="5782" height="3855" width_o="5782" height_o="3855" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c1acf8b1a991563193f650709ffa7b9f661a4c1c2424a0b50846024b4ad02bca/pottri_round1_img-2.jpg" data-mid="185391935" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c1acf8b1a991563193f650709ffa7b9f661a4c1c2424a0b50846024b4ad02bca/pottri_round1_img-2.jpg" /> <img width="5886" height="3924" width_o="5886" height_o="3924" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fe46dc27fe0f740e02949c8f3059e8bf06eeda58bed85e5aefa216190028cb02/pottri_round1_img-11.jpg" data-mid="185391945" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/fe46dc27fe0f740e02949c8f3059e8bf06eeda58bed85e5aefa216190028cb02/pottri_round1_img-11.jpg" /> <img width="5830" height="3887" width_o="5830" height_o="3887" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7ad5df8d21cb121adfaf0d2810e2a1b3422f8ef6703ab0d1cac702ed7c191c7a/pottri_round1_img-15.jpg" data-mid="185391949" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7ad5df8d21cb121adfaf0d2810e2a1b3422f8ef6703ab0d1cac702ed7c191c7a/pottri_round1_img-15.jpg" /> <img width="5891" height="3927" width_o="5891" height_o="3927" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1aea86bcfc41061f487f183dc0daeb6d2f46cd3396dad615dc59c40b053aab4f/pottri_round1_img-28.jpg" data-mid="185391962" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1aea86bcfc41061f487f183dc0daeb6d2f46cd3396dad615dc59c40b053aab4f/pottri_round1_img-28.jpg" /> <img width="6000" height="4000" width_o="6000" height_o="4000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/558e0647f70e410cc76fd74092808c579d1d2d2c33aa7f49378f71b9f705702e/pottri_round1_img-30.jpg" data-mid="185391964" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/558e0647f70e410cc76fd74092808c579d1d2d2c33aa7f49378f71b9f705702e/pottri_round1_img-30.jpg" /> <img width="6000" height="4000" width_o="6000" height_o="4000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/41c344d3b203a3e05fd407e0b777126ba02e82f560f2f454c60fe5eaa208f313/pottri_round1_img-5.jpg" data-mid="185391938" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/41c344d3b203a3e05fd407e0b777126ba02e82f560f2f454c60fe5eaa208f313/pottri_round1_img-5.jpg" /> <img width="5857" height="3905" width_o="5857" height_o="3905" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/10bdfdd33c2cf498ed4eb65070126577f8a92f8e9411caef6fad468d450a0593/pottri_round1_img-9.jpg" data-mid="185391943" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/10bdfdd33c2cf498ed4eb65070126577f8a92f8e9411caef6fad468d450a0593/pottri_round1_img-9.jpg" /> <img width="5925" height="3950" width_o="5925" height_o="3950" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/187c378d516e44b473f653c73a9fd6b519f7218835d1e2ae83ec21fc27f2f648/pottri_round1_img-13.jpg" data-mid="185391947" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/187c378d516e44b473f653c73a9fd6b519f7218835d1e2ae83ec21fc27f2f648/pottri_round1_img-13.jpg" /> <img width="6000" height="4000" width_o="6000" height_o="4000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5eeea84c43a07ad08393e9530dbfcbbecf3eacdae2a49f502d14ea92fe07ec42/pottri_round1_img-6.jpg" data-mid="185391940" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5eeea84c43a07ad08393e9530dbfcbbecf3eacdae2a49f502d14ea92fe07ec42/pottri_round1_img-6.jpg" /> <img width="5868" height="3912" width_o="5868" height_o="3912" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ac42ba119a18b81d8f9e98fdddb9dbd43b0c2bac7c1dddba5c78c7168d5299fb/pottri_round1_img-17.jpg" data-mid="185391951" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/ac42ba119a18b81d8f9e98fdddb9dbd43b0c2bac7c1dddba5c78c7168d5299fb/pottri_round1_img-17.jpg" /> <img width="6000" height="4000" width_o="6000" height_o="4000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/dab464e56dd4a8e441c6a58384af33bdcc5d83a1da5b059001a3d4e0c0b0fb4f/pottri_round1_img-12.jpg" data-mid="185391946" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/dab464e56dd4a8e441c6a58384af33bdcc5d83a1da5b059001a3d4e0c0b0fb4f/pottri_round1_img-12.jpg" /> <img width="5844" height="3896" width_o="5844" height_o="3896" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1313df60189f29bc32461dd838e0f0f7777e5e66d64362d660f5a1feed85ca0b/pottri_round1_img-29.jpg" data-mid="185391963" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1313df60189f29bc32461dd838e0f0f7777e5e66d64362d660f5a1feed85ca0b/pottri_round1_img-29.jpg" /> <img width="5798" height="3865" width_o="5798" height_o="3865" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6e69f14688b9aadb63a2a9382f97b895aa25759da5a1bb1f3f1a6e61f981700b/pottri_round1_img-26.jpg" data-mid="185391960" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6e69f14688b9aadb63a2a9382f97b895aa25759da5a1bb1f3f1a6e61f981700b/pottri_round1_img-26.jpg" /> <img width="5874" height="3916" width_o="5874" height_o="3916" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1eedcc1b6326dcf67e740ab0bc09f5d866e4a48c40d040291bcba41013f62c8a/pottri_round1_img-25.jpg" data-mid="185391959" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1eedcc1b6326dcf67e740ab0bc09f5d866e4a48c40d040291bcba41013f62c8a/pottri_round1_img-25.jpg" /> <img width="6000" height="4000" width_o="6000" height_o="4000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8e33ebd19a9576b956666a0f68b272f6675590907b1a8e460a85a919c8195d94/pottri_round1_img-24.jpg" data-mid="185391958" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8e33ebd19a9576b956666a0f68b272f6675590907b1a8e460a85a919c8195d94/pottri_round1_img-24.jpg" /> <img width="5889" height="3926" width_o="5889" height_o="3926" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ab95675f55997c371d77f5e1b3d319cbfd553719327ffc480dc47890f14a5a48/pottri_round1_img-22.jpg" data-mid="185391956" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/ab95675f55997c371d77f5e1b3d319cbfd553719327ffc480dc47890f14a5a48/pottri_round1_img-22.jpg" /> <img width="6000" height="4000" width_o="6000" height_o="4000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/cba8e791f3e745e021240b2f7788049efe426ef587ac212241a5e499c71b4478/pottri_round1_img-19.jpg" data-mid="185391953" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/cba8e791f3e745e021240b2f7788049efe426ef587ac212241a5e499c71b4478/pottri_round1_img-19.jpg" /> <img width="5522" height="3480" width_o="5522" height_o="3480" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f69082c21e31c47cedd9f42ab4412efa94a63a4f5258aa7d710b7dea94c83f3d/pottri_round1_img-27.jpg" data-mid="185391961" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f69082c21e31c47cedd9f42ab4412efa94a63a4f5258aa7d710b7dea94c83f3d/pottri_round1_img-27.jpg" /> Other pics <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d8d90444bfb74ec2f2f2cf09493197639475485ba21ed30869fe1eb605445bc4/IMG_4670.jpeg" data-mid="185454216" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/d8d90444bfb74ec2f2f2cf09493197639475485ba21ed30869fe1eb605445bc4/IMG_4670.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4e9294b3e153b2c15fcc57ccd2c65b7cb46b3e477ddc40f544471c3fca3b1a33/IMG_7248.jpeg" data-mid="185454225" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4e9294b3e153b2c15fcc57ccd2c65b7cb46b3e477ddc40f544471c3fca3b1a33/IMG_7248.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0e902f28154a7aa1bfd9b3b7be7f0f994dc6eee7c9924cbb4c24f441b32b7002/IMG_6500.jpeg" data-mid="185454227" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0e902f28154a7aa1bfd9b3b7be7f0f994dc6eee7c9924cbb4c24f441b32b7002/IMG_6500.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a9dc27614c110285bec14741e3199bf719720640ba25a65b93c7d567a4cd038c/IMG_7250.jpeg" data-mid="185454226" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/a9dc27614c110285bec14741e3199bf719720640ba25a65b93c7d567a4cd038c/IMG_7250.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/38fe5720b4fddaeda9a67ea509779ad09d43b74a7fc61ef9e7721635b695ff4b/IMG_7482.jpeg" data-mid="185393564" border="0" alt="Cufflinks for May Ball" data-caption="Cufflinks for May Ball" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/38fe5720b4fddaeda9a67ea509779ad09d43b74a7fc61ef9e7721635b695ff4b/IMG_7482.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5cc69204ef89ba19e9bc387843d354a9666702e5da59fa52be4db44c95f38285/IMG_7502.jpeg" data-mid="185454220" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5cc69204ef89ba19e9bc387843d354a9666702e5da59fa52be4db44c95f38285/IMG_7502.jpeg" /> https://balwitcheung.com/convertible-Desk Tue, 29 Nov 2022 17:22:19 +0000 balwitcheungresearchdesign https://balwitcheung.com/convertible-Desk convertible desk justin, 2022 Tash started grad school in the UK, so I converted our ABQ living room into an office. But&nbsp; large monitors are ugly when not in use, and during the day the sun in the room is&nbsp; too bright (but gorgeous) to use the screens. So I needed a way to get them out of the way. Got some gas struts from autozone down the street, and used some linear rails I had found at an industrial auction. <img width="640" height="1138" width_o="640" height_o="1138" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3d1fbe4143481480f7518783e3d922bc6f43a0c6071d4f3af76f89bbce61e3e7/final.gif" data-mid="233070786" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/640/i/3d1fbe4143481480f7518783e3d922bc6f43a0c6071d4f3af76f89bbce61e3e7/final.gif" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/932f81b61450a56a1762adaeedac534d5e79024038ac27ab0a355f1228a9664a/linear-desk---4-of-6.jpeg" data-mid="232780517" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/932f81b61450a56a1762adaeedac534d5e79024038ac27ab0a355f1228a9664a/linear-desk---4-of-6.jpeg" /> <img width="640" height="1138" width_o="640" height_o="1138" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e220f5f7caaf6b49f66967248636c2aa5d2ad0a7ba1fd574db2b079b38b328c8/output.gif" data-mid="233070787" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/640/i/e220f5f7caaf6b49f66967248636c2aa5d2ad0a7ba1fd574db2b079b38b328c8/output.gif" /> <img width="640" height="1138" width_o="640" height_o="1138" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8e29eceea52fee4d52227c243e6f9821d2ca8d38472fb73586d951544fc149ca/process.gif" data-mid="233070785" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/640/i/8e29eceea52fee4d52227c243e6f9821d2ca8d38472fb73586d951544fc149ca/process.gif" /> Chopped up a piece of butcher block to extend the back of the table, adding mounts for monitors, cables, power etc. https://balwitcheung.com/Recent-PD Mon, 05 May 2025 02:41:30 +0000 balwitcheungresearchdesign https://balwitcheung.com/Recent-PD Recent PD at INTO From 2022-25 I have been the principal engineer at INTO technologies. I joined to advise the company on an early conceptual prototype. I ended up redesigning the prototype, designing an ecosystem of associated devices, accessories, and a software suite (internal and external facing). It went through NPI, DVT, EVT, and is currently ramping into MP.I have designed the core device (PD and HW), packaging, accessories, and software (internal and external). <img width="2829" height="2186" width_o="2829" height_o="2186" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2d13b98afce88c180b20c8885082ca73816f1d32c09eb7714adcca7c2a6d0b1a/Black_Back_1.png" data-mid="232792653" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2d13b98afce88c180b20c8885082ca73816f1d32c09eb7714adcca7c2a6d0b1a/Black_Back_1.png" /> <img width="2569" height="3816" width_o="2569" height_o="3816" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7f1c00d3c44e3986647030a9cee7378a3695c5be4248c2610c42a8fbb32f2903/INTO_Sleeve_Graphics_071124.jpg" data-mid="232829915" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7f1c00d3c44e3986647030a9cee7378a3695c5be4248c2610c42a8fbb32f2903/INTO_Sleeve_Graphics_071124.jpg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3459183d4d77c38dbb1b6316115f4623bde4dd132cf7d305e6dae740e0abb74c/IMG_3971.jpg" data-mid="232829938" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3459183d4d77c38dbb1b6316115f4623bde4dd132cf7d305e6dae740e0abb74c/IMG_3971.jpg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1b594b16fcd4c6e0192bc21349d88a37a4df289688134ad8069d83231b233e6e/IMG_3970.jpg" data-mid="232829937" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1b594b16fcd4c6e0192bc21349d88a37a4df289688134ad8069d83231b233e6e/IMG_3970.jpg" /> https://balwitcheung.com/Advent-Window Mon, 28 Apr 2025 00:47:17 +0000 balwitcheungresearchdesign https://balwitcheung.com/Advent-Window advent-window We live in Newnham Croft in Cambridge. It has a very active community group, and over Christmas 2024 the group organised an window based advent calendar.&nbsp;Each terrace house that signed up was assigned a date leading up to Christmas. They each had to decorate the window and make the date visible somewhere in the display. I initially was not super into it - in previous years people had made paper / 2D displays stuck to the windows, christmas lights, etc. But I went on a work trip to Mexico and thus had 20+ hours of plane time to doodle. I ended up looking at old Macy’s shop window displays to see how they managed to create the illusion of depth. I decided to use the window front as the hypotenuse of a right tri to get enough depth to build a small room. <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/35307449a76e9328ca645dafeff31ff475e2497fbd94fb319dec0a51562e12b1/advent-window---12-of-31.jpeg" data-mid="232794930" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/35307449a76e9328ca645dafeff31ff475e2497fbd94fb319dec0a51562e12b1/advent-window---12-of-31.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b94a6d92311a31b3d01ef26db0272cbb7aa6aca8a784f028514f2983ad333982/advent-window---28-of-31.jpeg" data-mid="232794947" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b94a6d92311a31b3d01ef26db0272cbb7aa6aca8a784f028514f2983ad333982/advent-window---28-of-31.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a0b12fdaeca0553b4d90b59fbdd673690726f88d86738ec775fb0e008ba08f32/advent-window---27-of-31.jpeg" data-mid="232794946" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/a0b12fdaeca0553b4d90b59fbdd673690726f88d86738ec775fb0e008ba08f32/advent-window---27-of-31.jpeg" /> <img width="4284" height="5712" width_o="4284" height_o="5712" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3779e09fdc0072338cdbbe07c9ff919e07973e4e8f00705016b17767477ab0df/advent-window---30-of-31.jpeg" data-mid="232794949" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3779e09fdc0072338cdbbe07c9ff919e07973e4e8f00705016b17767477ab0df/advent-window---30-of-31.jpeg" /> rhinoFirst job was to measure the window and work out how to support it. There were 2 preexisting window pulls on the window pane itself. Above the window, there were a few mounting holes for the blinds. I tried to use all these holes to fasten the display. Over 2 nights I speed-cadded the room. I split it into 3 major components: 1. base support mounted to the window pull holes 2. ceiling / sky support mounted to the top of the window and blinds mounting holes 3. the display itself I had to be fairly organised to design something structurally sound and decorative and assemblable. I had ideas of adding lights /power sockets etc etc so added holes and cable routing everywhere. Laser I used the laser at the Makerspace and blasted it out all in one night. I used a packing script in Grasshopper called OpenNest to get really nice nesting for the laser, and ended up making very little waste wood. <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/cca96f0eaa257b1554db164d168c51535a6fa1252d5e88984c6fe64d0a3a2f2e/advent-window---6-of-31.jpeg" data-mid="232794925" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/cca96f0eaa257b1554db164d168c51535a6fa1252d5e88984c6fe64d0a3a2f2e/advent-window---6-of-31.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6c837885b085ee68db75df390f140da4ea7c332597213723670a7e7777b91ef7/advent-window---5-of-31.jpeg" data-mid="232794924" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6c837885b085ee68db75df390f140da4ea7c332597213723670a7e7777b91ef7/advent-window---5-of-31.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a77ac225953a56adbadbf277325579a90ef8cc2dbebf13becf54eaddf051f639/advent-window---4-of-31.jpeg" data-mid="232794923" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/a77ac225953a56adbadbf277325579a90ef8cc2dbebf13becf54eaddf051f639/advent-window---4-of-31.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f378e9da6a9b314bdcba00c39f8ea0aecc83248c0fef1244b12597996c5b9cc3/advent-window---3-of-31.jpeg" data-mid="232794922" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f378e9da6a9b314bdcba00c39f8ea0aecc83248c0fef1244b12597996c5b9cc3/advent-window---3-of-31.jpeg" /> There ended up being &gt;100 unique pieces ! So here I felt the need to label each one, especially since many were only slightly different. To deal with this i wrote a little Grasshopper script to: label each piece with its layer name and then a unique ID based on its calculated&nbsp; area. Install Install and assembly was easy. There were a few missed Boolean unions but the birch was so soft it was easy to make edits with a knife.[assy pic] <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/aeadb7106e3706f0933d9daef5104ec783772c0a54ed0842dce91052fc92fbba/advent-window---9-of-31.jpeg" data-mid="232794927" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/aeadb7106e3706f0933d9daef5104ec783772c0a54ed0842dce91052fc92fbba/advent-window---9-of-31.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/39d10c36d6e42451ce00d5ae0a2c09caa0718729f4b116dd0ac51276cca08bf9/advent-window---10-of-31.jpeg" data-mid="232794928" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/39d10c36d6e42451ce00d5ae0a2c09caa0718729f4b116dd0ac51276cca08bf9/advent-window---10-of-31.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5013291ca8ce4de2906696121fbdea76433dfc50555f312d813717c80eca329b/advent-window---26-of-31.jpeg" data-mid="232794945" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5013291ca8ce4de2906696121fbdea76433dfc50555f312d813717c80eca329b/advent-window---26-of-31.jpeg" /> <img width="4284" height="5712" width_o="4284" height_o="5712" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3dc97fdb9a428f1c67e41f7992f9601ce4af15b8f328c469d75a472ebfaec44c/advent-window---23-of-31.jpeg" data-mid="232794941" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3dc97fdb9a428f1c67e41f7992f9601ce4af15b8f328c469d75a472ebfaec44c/advent-window---23-of-31.jpeg" /> I designed it to use a few t-slots and then have everything else slot into each other. But at some point I just decided to add hot glue to deal with the tolerances. By this time it was late on the night before so I just slapped on an LED strip to illuminate the room paint We painted the birch with some wood stain and other alcohol dyes. It was super quick. I had also sourced a bunch of mini christmas decorations and doll-house objects (tiny dog!) to place inside. servosThe main excitement of this was to have Santa pop up and down the chimney. I printed some santa boots to pop out the top, spring loaded to return upwards. A servo pulled them down the chimney, and lowered a little pressie into the fireplace. Initially i set up a PIR sensor to trigger when someone walked past, but it was too noisy and unreliable, so I just added a big button for people to press. <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c7c489cb7bcf0bb0a8f0c9c3c133ac162e9a4b8ce1e5a8e84f4fc53ea5023cec/advent-window---29-of-31.jpeg" data-mid="232794948" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c7c489cb7bcf0bb0a8f0c9c3c133ac162e9a4b8ce1e5a8e84f4fc53ea5023cec/advent-window---29-of-31.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7463dc370c2cb35b537e61b134ea8e9f8ef98520b2d3c76c6415eb05ffb51646/advent-window---18-of-31.jpeg" data-mid="232794936" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7463dc370c2cb35b537e61b134ea8e9f8ef98520b2d3c76c6415eb05ffb51646/advent-window---18-of-31.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/75b3bea4d27187ab9b08f82e00288fd7c06b8f42d6983b986bf1a4c7bdec89bf/advent-window---24-of-31.jpeg" data-mid="232794942" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/75b3bea4d27187ab9b08f82e00288fd7c06b8f42d6983b986bf1a4c7bdec89bf/advent-window---24-of-31.jpeg" /> https://balwitcheung.com/Adjustable-Trimming-Bat Mon, 28 Apr 2025 00:58:39 +0000 balwitcheungresearchdesign https://balwitcheung.com/Adjustable-Trimming-Bat Adjustable Trimming Bat <img width="1708" height="1192" width_o="1708" height_o="1192" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/81cb78e153c26d974075a794bb731ab94244ea45530477eff40777a8a32c65e4/Screenshot-2025-05-05-at-7.38.44-PM.png" data-mid="232794764" border="0" data-scale="41" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/81cb78e153c26d974075a794bb731ab94244ea45530477eff40777a8a32c65e4/Screenshot-2025-05-05-at-7.38.44-PM.png" /> After a few months of trimming my pots, I got tired of using blobs of clay to tack down my pieces. In New Mexico, you’re only able to tack one or two pieces since they dry out so quickly. Our local clay store stocked bat-contraptions with adjustable feet to clamp your workpiece. These were more than $200. So I took a look and modelled one to print. My wheel has a 12” head. I decided to make a 10” diameter bat. My printer’s build volume has a 6” square footprint, so I had to split the circle up into 3 pieces.&nbsp; <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/914505ebbe878bc501c4e6aea246b4ad608016f6bbb682723785812d0aa6ee09/Pottery---3-of-4.jpeg" data-mid="232794436" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/914505ebbe878bc501c4e6aea246b4ad608016f6bbb682723785812d0aa6ee09/Pottery---3-of-4.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/82fdcb663672416e6b3f043b6a22229b83dd9c255e77cb3a18fc3e694fcb838c/Pottery---1-of-4.jpeg" data-mid="232794434" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/82fdcb663672416e6b3f043b6a22229b83dd9c255e77cb3a18fc3e694fcb838c/Pottery---1-of-4.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/941f3bdcd44f11f8b5db4697ed48176bd5e3e239d0e57fbac8531d1ce90a44ae/Pottery---4-of-4.jpeg" data-mid="232794437" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/941f3bdcd44f11f8b5db4697ed48176bd5e3e239d0e57fbac8531d1ce90a44ae/Pottery---4-of-4.jpeg" /> The clay piece sits on the top layer. It has 3 little feet that clamp the workpiece, sliding up through slots, The base layer sits flat on the wheelhead and has a spiral guide for 3 sets of feet to travel radially. The spiral is s.t. it tightens on the piece when trimming clockwise.