CLIENT
School of Architecture End of Year Exhibition
ROLES
Installation Designer
COLLABORATORS
Prof. Daragh Byrne
TIMELINE
12 weeks
CONTEXT
un·make /ˌənˈmāk/ - taking away, taking apart, and or taking down what currently exists
This study was a part of a collective studio project into exploring the concept of unmaking. There were many different ways others investigated or examined unmaking, but this piece will focus on my approach.
A common trend in tech products is the pursuit of the “next best thing”. Usually, this means creating devices such as phones to be slimmer / lighter, laptops that are more powerful / lighter, or even newer, innovative devices like VR / AR headsets. And with modern manufacturing technology allowing for relatively low costs, millions of these devices are produced for consumers.
However, a huge consequence of consumerism is the encouragement of over-exploitation of natural resources to meet demands in production and consumption. Once these devices have reached the end of their life cycle they contribute to the growing pile of e-waste. By now I realized that my investigation was starting to become more complex, involving processes that span the entire globe.
So... what can I do about it?
SOLUTION
Unmaking CD / DVD → Making 3D Printer
The 3D Printer
Composed of:
2x CD / DVD Drives
1x Salvaged Hotend
1x Airtripper Dowden Extruder BSP Edition
1x Arduino Mega 2560 Rev3
6x KW12-3 Roller Lever Arm Micro Limit Switch
1x RAMPS 1.4 Control Panel
1x DRV8825 Stepper Motor Driver
1x (1 x 1/8") 4mm BSP Push Fitting
1x Rubber Diesel Hose Tubing Line
1x 17HS4401 Stepper Motor
Assorted bearings / nuts / bolts / washers / springs…
*Parts / components may be substituted with others with similar specification.
1
Print Specifications
The print plate is made of 4mm acrylic (56mm x 64mm). It attaches to the bottom CD / DVD motor, which drives the Z axis.
The hotend is mounted on the motor driving the Y axis.
The step motors I salvaged from the CD / DVD drives travel about 40mm, giving a working area of 40mm x 40mm x 40mm.
2
Learning Hardware
To control the 3 axis, I used an Arduino Mega 2560 Rev3 and a RAMPS 1.4 Control Panel, which I attached to the back.
Being an architecture student, I had 0 experience in using an Arduino. But thankfully there were many resources online and my professor taught me the basics.
3
Software + Power
For uploading the code to control the axis, I used Arduino IDE.
All operations / prints were controlled using Printrun.
My power was supplied with a DC variable power supply (30V, 5A).
4
What if unmaking was a standardized practice that occurs at the individual scale?
With current processes beginning with underground material extraction, unmaking existing processes allow for us to envision a paradigm shift where attention is shifted to the mountains of e-waste. The abundance of materials embedded in e-waste presents a unique opportunity to extract value, from reclaiming precious metals to repurposing plastics.
Plugged in, thrown out offers a way for anyone to conduct the unmaking process by providing a standard / frame- work in the form of a disassembly manual. Specifically, I chose to use CD / DVD drives sourced from Evolution E-Cycling as my discarded device and attempt to repurpose it as a 3D printer. This process is replicable by anyone.
WHITE PAPER RESEARCH
Something worth keeping
To begin my investigation, I went on a deep dive into e-waste and the adjacent communities involved in that space. My research followed a winding path, involving DIY technologists like N-O-D-E, product designers such as Taku Satoh, James Pierce, Bas van Abel, Nirav Patel, Matt Web, and researchers in potential recycling strategy of e-waste in End of Life.
And an essential theme throughout all of my findings is that people do want to be sustainable, to have products that are conflict free, to generate as little e-waste as possible, as evident from projects such as The Pinouts Book, Mizkan’s 210th Anniversary Project, Fairphone, or The Little Printer, even if it comes at the cost of performance or convenience. And usually the process begins with these issues made more aware to people; but as a designer, creating products is a way for me to actively participate.
“I hoped my design would subliminally encourage people to want to use it to display flowers instead of throwing it away...”
Taku Satoh, 2013
I believe that the way to act on people’s desire to be more sustainable is to offer them something real.
