My final joint represents the jaw, tendons and the mandible bone in depth and replicates movements and restrictions the jaw has.
My design centers around elasticity, vs strength in the way the jaw works.
My photos show the 3D printed parts in detail, plus an overall view of the joint design outcome.
Overall i think my design idea works well, however i had a lot of trouble with printing. I couldn't get my pieces thick enough as i wanted to keep the delicate and fine looking structure.
This render simply shows the organic like form and simplicity which contrasts a series of such complicated bones and tendons in the jaw.
Further work on solidworks to refine and finalise my design, i changed the wall thickness and overall size by roughly 10% which hopefully will make a stronger design in general.
Also you can see small changes in the way the metal rod will be housed.
However the main detail that i changed for my final was the shape of the movement slide on the bottom print, it is now wider at the top and tapers to a slightly narrower bottom replicating more accurately the movements of the lower half of the mandible bone.
My test print was successful and unsuccessful in different areas, the outer layer was far too thin and cracked while i was cleaning the support material, however the overall ideas and function worked the way i wanted it to. From here i think i will refine this idea further and change small details such as the housings for the wire, and thickness of the outer shell.
A couple of solidworks, working drawings as i go. Showing the process and ways i went about replicating and revealing aspects of my design.
Here is a quick sketch model made from wire, mainly to get me started with this idea, motivation, 3D perspective etc.
Here are a range of concept sketches which show my thought process as i get underway with my joint design.
Its focuses around the idea of a simple ball and joint like idea with restrictions and limited movement.
I like the idea of having something which clearly demonstrates the jaw.
The images i have selected above display the main movements and structure behind the jaw, and mandible bone line. This is what i have chosen to focus on for my project. I find the range of movement interesting as there are restrictions and different tensions throughout the jaw structure. I need to look further into the joint itself and work out what shape and overall form it is to further my project.
Here is the final product, my vessel containing a New Zealand native seed inside an organic shaped acrylic rod.
I am pleased with how my vessel turned out and how well my photos compliment both the subtleties and the highlights in my design, such as the gradual fading of the frosting in the acrylic revealing the seed in the center, alongside the overall form which is very elegant and organic in its form.
