Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/05
Outputs
In 2005, more work was done to upgrade the DEA woodshop for the creation of a real world version of the competition cabinet design. This included the wiring and ducting of a 20 inch jointer, a LeBlond machining lathe, and a Bridgeport milling machine. A commercial partner was initially being sought for some aspects of the machining but instead, components were purchased to convert the Bridgeport mill into a CNC machine. This conversion will continue into the spring of 2006 and will finally allow for the in-house production of all of the components for the cabinet prototypes. Once the prototypes are completed, they can be used to generate market interest and business opportunities for upstate New York wood-based industries.
Impacts
The post-impact of this project could be significant. Prototypes developed will pioneer some new technological pathways for commercially scaled rustic furniture manufacturing facilities in New York State, using affordable software and hardware. Such enterprises would use forestry waste products such as stumps and crotches and exploit their unique formal qualities to create new value-added products while having a minimal impact on the existing craft-based enterprises now operating within the state. This is achieved by focusing on commercial and institutional markets instead of tourist and residential markets. This would allow for more employment opportunities without hurting existing businesses. In addition to the process, the product of this research lends itself to commercial production and, in concert with local manufacturers, could be produced to promote and perhaps stimulate the rustic furniture industry of New York. Finally, the development of these kind of
designer-oriented production facilities at Cornell University puts this interior design program in a pioneering position in design education.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
In the previous year, a furniture competition was entered for new ideas regarding sustainable kitchen cabinet design. A naturally harvested basswood log was sectioned and barked to reveal a unique rippled surface. This log was 3D scanned and virtually sawn for the production of a modular system of kitchen cabinetry. The sawn components with the rippled surface were then included in a 3D formZ computer model of the cabinet system to form the cabinet faces. The submission materials for the competition were submitted at the end of November and were exhibited at the Riva1920 gallery in Cantu, Italy until March of 2004. A considerable effort was made in 2004 scaling up the DEA woodshop for the creation of a real world version of the competition cabinet design. This included the acquisition of a 20 inch jointer, a LeBlond machining lathe, and a Bridgeport milling machine. The CAD/CAM equipment of the engineered wood products program at SUNY Morrisville was deemed not
completely suitable. A commercial partner is now being sought for some aspects of the machining that are not possible at Morrisville. In addition, a number of new rustic furniture prototypes were completed that are suitable for commercial production. These include an uplighter (Columena Rustica) and two tables (Tabla Prometheus and Tabla Crudo). I am researching venues for the display of this work, to bring it to a wider audience. I am also looking for Central New York businesses who could manufacture this work, to provide an outreach benefit.
Impacts
The impact of this project could be significant. It will pioneer some new technological pathways for commercially scaled rustic furniture manufacturing facilities in New York State, using affordable software and hardware. Such enterprises would use forestry waste products such as stumps and crotches and exploit their unique formal qualities to create new value-added products while having a minimal impact on the existing craft-based enterprises now operating within the state. This is achieved by focusing on commercial and institutional markets instead of tourist and residential markets. This would allow for more employment opportunities without hurting existing businesses. In addition to the process, the product of this research lends itself to commercial production and, in concert with local manufacturers, could be produced to promote and perhaps stimulate the rustic furniture industry of New York. Finally, the partnership with Morrisville State University and their
Wood Products Technology program will add a new technological dimension to their program, benefiting students and staff alike.
Publications
- Elliott, J. 2004. 'Tabla Cruda', rustic table prototype.
- Elliott, J. 2004. 'Tabla Prometheus', rustic table prototype.
- Elliott, J. 2004. 'Cambium' Kitchen Cabinet System. Part of 'Timber as Material' exhibition at the Riva1920 gallery, Cantu, Italy.
- Elliott, J. 2004. 'Columena Rustica', rustic lighting prototype.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
This was the first year of pursuing this line of research. It is based on previous research I had conducted on the rustic furniture industry in the Adirondacks. After determining the feasibility of a commercially-scaled industry, I began looking at how new technologies could facilitate this development. In particular, I was interested in how new 3D scanning technologies could be combined with CNC machining to add value to forestry waste products in the manufacture of rustic furniture and furnishings. The idea is to use 'off-the-shelf' production technologies to create new business opportunities that would be suitable for small woodworking businesses. The program combines the use of the scanning and computing expertise and facilities of Cornell University with the CAD/CAM equipment of the engineered wood products program at Morrisville State University. The field component of the research began with a visit to the International Contract Furniture Fair in New York City
in May, 2003. Here a number of wood furniture manufacturers were queried about their use of CNC production methods. The most forthcoming of these were Italian companies who invited me for site visits. In July, I made four such visits in Italy. All of the firms were using CNC technologies, including 5-axis machining, but none were using any 3D scanning technologies. If a new product was to be manufactured based on a prototype, the various pieces were hand-measured and the results manually entered into a CAD database. This is a very tedious, slow, and inaccurate method. All of the manufacturers were very interested in the possibilities of my research. To initiate the design research, a furniture competition was entered for new ideas regarding sustainable kitchen cabinet design. A naturally harvested basswood log was sectioned and barked to reveal a unique rippled surface. This log was 3D scanned and virtually 'sawn' for the production of a modular system of kitchen cabinetry. The 'sawn'
components with the rippled surface were then included in a 3D formZ computer model of the cabinet system to form the cabinet faces. The submission materials for the competition were submitted at the end of November and are currently being exhibited at the Riva1920 gallery in Cantu, Italy.
Impacts
The impact of this project could be significant. It will pioneer some new technological pathways for commercially scaled rustic furniture manufacturing facilities in New York State, using affordable software and hardware. Such enterprises would use forestry waste products such as stumps and crotches and exploit their unique formal qualities to create new value-added products while having a minimal impact on the existing craft-based enterprises now operating within the state. This is achieved by focusing on commercial and institutional markets instead of tourist and residential markets. This would allow for more employment opportunities without hurting existing businesses. In addition to the process, the product of this research lends itself to commercial production and, in concert with local manufacturers, could be produced to promote and perhaps stimulate the rustic furniture industry of New York. Finally, the partnership with Morrisville State University and their
Wood Products Technology program will add a new technological dimension to their program, benefiting students and staff alike.
Publications
- Elliott, J. 2003. 'Cambium', Kitchen Cabinet System. Part of 'Timber as Material' exhibition at the Riva1920 gallery, Cantu, Italy.
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