Guardian Orbs

An Investigation in Modular Design

Many products are designed with multiple materials that are not easy or impossible to separate. This makes it difficult to properly recycle these items at the end of use, and they often end up in the landfill. This project explored the use of modular design so that different materials could be easily separated for recycling and composting.

Form Inspiration

The final form of Guardian Orbs was inspired by cacti. When you look closely at cacti, they have smaller geometries that repeat to create the larger form. This concept was used to create the modular design of Guardian Orbs. Cacti are also drought resistant making them a more sustainable plant and used in home defense. This added a layer of conceptual depth to the project.

3D Printed PLA Skeleton Design

A 3D printed PLA skeleton was designed to work with the corn based bioplastic sheet material developed during the material research phase. The skeleton allowed for structural support and mechanical fastening. The use of mechanical fastening as opposed to adhesive bonding allowed for easier material separation at the end of use.

Modular Design

The final skeleton was printed in sections to reduce support material needed for the FDM 3D printing process. The design allowed for not only minimal support material but a reduced print time as well. The caps used to secure the bioplastic sheet material also fastened the skeleton in place.