Juan Santacruz

FIRST ATTEMPT

The Objetive is to creat a composite that store water in it for to use in base of plants pots and release water when plants needs.

The materials are: cast, small gel balls, bicarbonate and 3D mold (brick).

PREPARE PORTIONS

1. Cast

2. Cast and Gel balls

3. Cast with Bicarbonate

PREPARE MIXTURE

1. Cast and Gel balls

2. Cast

3. Cast with Bicarbonate

BRICKS MIXTURE

1. Casy and Gel balls

2. Cast

3. Cast with Bicarbonate

I have a problem with gel balls, because they are small in the beginning, but when they was in water, They expanded! and destroyed the brick... I had mede it again.

Images presents the idea, inside the cast, I want create holes, like bones, that preserve water inside. Gel balls and bicarbonate made it.

BRICKS

1. Cast<           2. Cast with Bicarbonate           3. Cast and Gel Balls

WEGHT BEFORE IMMERSE IN WATER

1. Cast

2. Cast with Bicarbonate

3. Cast and Gel Balls

WEGHT AFTER IMMERSE IN WATER (45')

1. Cast

2. Cast with Bicarbonate

3. Cast and Gel Balls

RESULTS

CAST: From 109g. to 132g. (+21,1%)

CAST WITH BICARBONATE: From 66g. to 101g. (+53,0%)

CAST WITH GEL BALLS: From 211g. to 276g. (+30,8%)

CONCLUTIONS

Cast with Bicarbonate was the best composite that preserve water, it preserve 53% of its weight. And it was ligtest too. But when the brick was out, it was very fragile.

Probably, cast with gel balls is better than all, it was strong. If I mixture with fill water balls, the composite had been the best!

SECOND ATTEMPT

3D

AUTOCAD DESIGN

I designed a simple form for to probe components.

Use a Polyline

You Need convert polyline in to area

Export in .stl format

ARTCAM

ArtCAM is a software from Autodesk, it is a solution for designing and making decorative woodwork, create furniture, 3D reliefs, signs and gifts using a CNC control.

I use a CNC machine from a friens. He instaled ArtCAM software in spanish. Please translate it before use.

1. Import .stl file. For import .stl file to ArtCAM, see this video here.

2. Change Settings Materials and tools

3. Simulate your job. It is important for to find problems. You can see as 3D model, then can see more parts.

4. Export in .cnc or .nc format.

CNC MACHINE

The router that used was MAXICAM, it is a CNC Router that use .cnc files to work. MaxiCAM use too a NcStudio Software that read .cnc files

MILLING

1. Import file and simulate.

2. Set axes in the machine. This tool set z axe.

MATERIALS

RESIN

Polyester resins are unsaturated synthetic resins formed by the reaction of dibasic organic acids and polyhydric alcohols. Polyester resins are used in sheet moulding compound, bulk moulding compound and the toner of laser printers. Wall panels fabricated from polyester resins reinforced with fiberglass—so-called fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP)

ADVANTAGES:

1. Adequate resistance to water and variety of chemicals.
2. Adequate resistance to weathering and ageing.
3. Low cost.
4. The polyester can withstand a temperature up to 80°C.
5. It has good wetting to glass fibres.
6. It shrinks between 4-8% during curing.
7. Linear thermal expansion ranges from 100-200 x 10^-6 K^-1.

MSDS DataSheet here

TDS DataSheet here

CATALIZER AND ACCELERATING MATERIAL

Normally the resin is already activated with cobalt, so the only thing that we will have to acquire next to the resin will be the catalyst or secant of it. The catalyst will perform the chemical reaction to begin the setting and drying of the resin. The amount of catalyst will depend on the work to be done at the same time by the person applying it, since each one of us uses it according to our way of working. The average measure say that would be between 2ml and 5ml per kilo of resin although in some cases we can use up to 10ml per kilo of resin or more. The more quantity of catalyst the chemical reaction will be stronger so that the temperature of the resin will increase even reaching levels until it catches fire, so we must work with great caution. It should also be noted that the greater the amount of resin, the stronger the reaction, so the piece will dry faster, but it will get less elasticity and can crack more easily. At less quantity: slower drying, but the piece will be stronger. It is also necessary to take into account the shake of the mixture, it should be with a flat and clean stick and never with a round one since by using a small amount of catalyst the round stick will move the catalyst towards the edges and the mixture will not be completed and getting a bad drying or drying by parts.

MSDS DataSheet here

TDS DataSheet here

ORGANIC FIBRE

Sisal is a hard fibre extracted from the leaves of sisal plants which are perennial succulents that grow in hot and dry areas. Sisal is a friendly fibre as it is biodegradable and almost no pesticides or fertilizers are used in its cultivation.

Sisal fibre is very long, its average length of 0.6 to 1.2 m and it is creamy white to yellowish colour. It is durable and has the ability to stretch. It also has good insulation properties and it is highly resistant to bacterial damage and to deterioration in saltwater.