The task “Elements” involved creating an interlocking system of modular components. I designed the individual pieces to connect using a combination of cross-slot joints and finger joints, allowing for both structural integrity and sculptural flexibility. The elements are made from 3 mm medium-density fiberboard (MDF), cut using a laser plotter. Each module has edges measuring 58.2 mm and consisting of nine fingers and eight notches, plus one deeper slot. This deep slot is intentionally placed far off-center. The fingers are 3 mm wide, while the notches and slot are 2.8 mm wide to ensure a tight, stable fit. All components are either triangles or squares, each ornamented with the pattern I previously developed for my icosahedron: a spiraling, shrinking concentration of triangles or squares. My plug-in system can be assembled to form four out of five Platonic solids, or it can be combined more freely to create abstract sculptures. The modular elements are kid-friendly, yet equally engaging and enjoyable for adults.
Ideas
Prototypes
- prototype ornamentation
- checking the joint stability
Final product
Issues
- outline was lasered double; gaps are too big for stable connections (img 1)
- gaps a little too big even with single lasered outline. This did not happen with the prototypes. (img 2)
- (failed) experimental attempts to make the gaps tighter (img 3,4)
NOTE: The MDF-plate seemed to be thinner than the one for prototyping. Test runs on the same plate are important!
