Model Making
Model making is the best way to understand, refine, test and revise a design in order to fully realize a concept in the physical world.
Scale Model: Bathmat Slip Testing Rig
At my last position; I was sometimes tasked to design testing rigs for our products. The reason for this testing rig was, we wanted to make a claim on our packaging that this bathmat was slip resistant. We needed a way to substantiate our claim, also to test and compare our bathmat against our leading competitors. This rig needed to safely and consistently test the slip resistance of each mat. When designing the scale model, I observed the movement of the leg out of a tub and on to a bathmat. I measured how much force from the foot was exerted onto the mat and what exactly caused a bathmat to slide. This scale model helped us understand the science behind bathmats and convey to our testing labs the procedure for testing.
Sukkover: Full Scale Model
One of my first projects when I started my previous position was to design a retractable roof covering for a Sukkah. Not knowing anything about the Jewish tradition of Sukkot, I consulted with a Rabbi to learn the rules and particulars of Sukkot. In a nutshell, Sukkot is a holiday in the fall where a family or person sets up a Sukkah outdoors on their property. The Sukkah is generally a simple four walled construction and open to the sky on the top. There can be no inorganic materials overhead while inside. The Sukkah is often furnished with couches, table and chairs. The idea is during the week long period of Sukkot, the family is encouraged to eat all their meals and spend as much time as possible in the Sukkah in order to reconvene with nature and God.
Since this holiday is in the fall when the probability of rain is high, I was tasked to design a retractable roof covering that can be fitted to most Sukkahs. Since the family usually brings their indoor furniture, rugs and chairs into the Sukkah, they risk water damage from the rain. The project required the roof covering to be retractable and had to be made of organic material.
This video is of me testing the first prototype of the “Sukkover” at my home. Although this prototype did not work, I learned many valuable lessons from it. Enjoy.
