Industrial sewing machine and arduino

Last class, I had the opportunity to learn how to use the industrial sewing machine in the fiber department with Michelle.

this machine can sew thick materials because the needle has diamond point, unlike normal needle that only goes through the in between the weave of the material, the tip of this needle makes a hole to let the thread goes through and sew the materials together.

I need to learn how to use this machine to sew vinyl together to I can make an inflatable piece that will be a part of my project. Next week Michelle told me she would teach me how to use the heat seal to seal plastic based material to keep the air inside.

with scrap material that I found in the donation bin, I practiced setting up the threads and gave it a go and tried out different speed and spacings as well.

Then later after dinner break we learned the basic of arduino. I’ve taken several of Paul’s arduino courses before and I’m also currently taking an intro to robotic class, so I’m just gonna post picture from Paul’s workshop and talk more about my troubleshooting with my problems in the other class.

Arduino in class workshop:

next on my robotics troubleshooting, so we learned how to use the function ‘map’ in class and the use of RGB LED. after I was done with the first practice I challenge myself to create 3 analog input that correspond to 3 analog outputs. so with this 3 potentiometer I could create any range of RGB color I want from R0;G0;B0 to R255;G255;B255 it was fun to twist it around have a tactile experience of color picking

I also learned how to make cleaner prototype wiring as I go and getting less confused by reading resistors. go me! and most importantly, I learned how to make fritzing drawings

Next is another example of putting multiple analog input into a single digital output

conductive foam is fun.

so the conclusion is, I think I’m getting the hang of arduino. I need to learn more about different kinds of component to create more possibilities for me to explore.

now it’s time for me to nap a little in studio

zzZ

Weaving time!

In class we learned how to weave, physically and virtually. It is the simplest form of coding language: up/down, front/back, true/false, 0/1, etc. For the first half of the class, we were divided into two groups, I got to be in the first group and learn how to do irl weaving first. I have never done any weaving nor taken any fiber class so this is my very first experience with the technique.

First we learned how patterning works, it was confusing at first with the power point presentation but when we got down to actually do it, it made sense

it felt like doing a puzzle it was fun

and then we had to make our own, as well as practicing real weaving

And for the second half of the class, we got to learn how to do weaving pattern on grasshopper. THIS TIME I THINK I’M FINALLY GETTING TO UNDERSTAND GRASSHOPPER. still not sure, it’s been a long battle, but I got to tweak it around on my own and I think- I’d like to think- I’m finally getting the grasp of it.

yas use that pipe and make it wormy

Then there’s a more complicated way to do it:

Why choose the complicated one though? Because wowwie look at that! When you change the input you can use this grasshopper code not only for plain weave but also twill weave!

different code, same look. different code, different look

The Fundamental Constructions: Reading Response

I figured this is a reading to understand the basic three different structures of weaving, so I’m just gonna write the response/note in bullet points:

• Weaving is an interlacing structure of two distinct groups of threads
• Its firmer than other thread interlacing structures. It is more likely to keep its shape than other structures such as knits, braids, lace, etc.– which are more likely to bunched up and can be stretched apart to create elasticity.
• It requires less materials and can be produced faster (simple structured machine)
• There are three basic structures of weave: plain, twill, and satin. Which each has a lot of their own variations.
• A plain weave is the simplest structure of weave, it takes equal part in both sides; front, back, front back. Requires two warps and two wefts. The rhythm should go like 1-2-1-2.
• everyday plain weave sample: canvas, sheets, tarps, etc.
• A twill weave can be balanced or unbalanced, the structure should be a step more complicated than plain weave. Ones with more on the warps are called warp twills, more on the fillings are called filing twills. Requires at least three warps and weft. There can be unlimited combination of twill weave, since it can varies in its pattern and leaves. A balanced twill pattern usually creates a diagonal pattern (half drop) across the structure.
• everyday twill weave sample: denim, cotton, baskets, etc.
• A satin weave is the most complicated weave is never balanced, the opposite of plain weave; satin weave seeks for the furthest point of interlacing threads in the leaves. Requires a combination of at least five warps and wefts.
• everyday satin weave sample: silk, luxurious fabrics, etc.

For a live response/notes/scribbles and how I see and understand the patterning of these three different kinds of weave structures, a pdf of the scanned printed reading material can be viewed here.