Figure I: Elevation view of storage solution that allows printed swatches to be exposed to air and temperature and deform over time.
Figure II: Detail view of storage solution that allows printed swatches to be exposed to air and temperature and deofrm over time.
Figure III: Comparison of the deformation of 120 X swatch prints and toolpaths aged over 1 year with various pectin/chitosan and cellulose compositions.
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X Swatch
These experiments examine how different material formulas, print orders and toolpaths can affect deformation over time. Each material formula is printed with a base layer of pectin in a 5 ½” cross shaped swatch with a parallel infill toolpath. A layer of cellulose hydrogels is printed with variable density lattice patterns. In select swatches a 3rd layer of pectin hydrogel is printed either on top or below the cellulose layer. The breaks in the geometry of the X shape are intended to allow the surfaces to exhibit greater shape change over time. The collection of different swatches is then exposed to air.
- Exposure to air is recorded during the first month and at 12 months.
- Swatches are imaged with and without backlighting in plan and side view.
- Changes in color and shape are visible.
Multiple different sets of swatches are tested that control for material formula and print order but vary toolpaths.
- Pectin layer + Cellulose layer with 16 swatches: Minimal shape and color change
- Pectin layer + Cellulose layer + Holes with 12 swatches: Minimal shape and color change
- Pectin Chitosan layer + Cellulose layer with 8 swatches: Moderate shape and dramatic color change
- Pectin Chitosan layer + Cellulose layer Holes with 3 swatches: Moderate shape and color change
- Pectin layer + Cellulose layer + Pectin layer with 6 swatches: Dramatic shape and color change
- Pectin layer + Pectin layer + Cellulose layer with 6 swatches: Dramatic shape and color change
- Pectin layer + Cellulose layer + Pectin Chitosan layer with 2 swatches: Dramatic shape and color change
- Exposure to air is recorded during the first month and at 12 months.
- Swatches are imaged with and without backlighting in plan and side view.
- Changes in color and shape are visible.
Multiple different sets of swatches are tested that control for material formula and print order but vary toolpaths.
- Pectin layer + Cellulose layer with 16 swatches: Minimal shape and color change
- Pectin layer + Cellulose layer + Holes with 12 swatches: Minimal shape and color change
- Pectin Chitosan layer + Cellulose layer with 8 swatches: Moderate shape and dramatic color change
- Pectin Chitosan layer + Cellulose layer Holes with 3 swatches: Moderate shape and color change
- Pectin layer + Cellulose layer + Pectin layer with 6 swatches: Dramatic shape and color change
- Pectin layer + Pectin layer + Cellulose layer with 6 swatches: Dramatic shape and color change
- Pectin layer + Cellulose layer + Pectin Chitosan layer with 2 swatches: Dramatic shape and color change