> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://alexanders-organization-7.gitbook.io/alex-digital-fabrication-diary/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://alexanders-organization-7.gitbook.io/alex-digital-fabrication-diary/week-5.md).

# Week 5

Rings joint element and the final design

## Ring joint element

By playing around with the ring chain elements, I realized that I could put the closed ring in each other to achieve a quite stable connection between the elements.

![](https://725701341-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FQFjfv0sGMlHUNJBjnaGy%2Fuploads%2F4xPcdBXqTLAF7XAvNsCe%2FIMG_4089.jpg?alt=media\&token=e7981d65-e702-4ce9-840a-036c7d66bbfa)

I created a design based on the ring chain elements with alternating filled and open rings. To increase the stability of the connection I placed the rings/laps closer to the frame. The laps (filled rings) are also a bit smaller than the rings. To make the laps more bendable I decided to set the width of this new design to 0.5mm instead of the previously used 0.7mm. 

 ![](https://725701341-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FQFjfv0sGMlHUNJBjnaGy%2Fuploads%2FkKsMlfBkKu5pMp8s8iP3%2FBildschirmfoto%202023-02-19%20um%2018.47.40.png?alt=media\&token=85481350-6da3-4a20-be37-d321310528ae)

{% file src="/files/9ruZcR9X2BM46oO9dH5y" %}

After printing, I was surprised at how well this new type of connection was working. I was able to connect my two test elements together using a lap and a ring of each element.

![](https://725701341-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FQFjfv0sGMlHUNJBjnaGy%2Fuploads%2FFU40sB7V0RqHH2A1AG6F%2FIMG_4094.jpg?alt=media\&token=551ff75c-323a-45d4-9a76-7050e9f4d604)

By cutting one of the elements into 3 pieces I was able to connect all of the pieces to the other element. 

![](https://725701341-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FQFjfv0sGMlHUNJBjnaGy%2Fuploads%2FZNB0Fy6PyH11A9r1YYCS%2FIMG_4095.jpg?alt=media\&token=a0bda43d-56cb-4586-a8df-b1332ebba01c)

This was especially nice since it allowed me to potentially connect 6 elements to one and create a surface. Since there was not that much time left in the course and I needed to start mass printing, I choose this as the blueprint of my final design. 

## Aesthetics Update

Since I stopped collaborating with Lucy, the hole in the middle of the element served no practical purpose anymore. I decided to fill up the space with a pattern resembling a snowflake. After trying several symmetrical shapes I came up with this design to fill the hole. 

![](https://725701341-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FQFjfv0sGMlHUNJBjnaGy%2Fuploads%2FvrrCZPhsNqa2fpugCgjQ%2FBildschirmfoto%202023-02-19%20um%2019.07.13.png?alt=media\&token=01dc4719-ddfe-417e-a60f-6005c92a7d4f)

{% file src="/files/gM0ehNTxQMec2WUul5sZ" %}

I also scaled up the element a bit to **dimensions 98.78 \* 88.49**. Printing a square meter would require printing **115 pieces** of this element.

In order to easily update the design of the pattern I also created a deconstructed version of the snowflake design. 

![](https://725701341-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FQFjfv0sGMlHUNJBjnaGy%2Fuploads%2FVW6N9cQWYHl8ai4oLP3T%2FBildschirmfoto%202023-02-19%20um%2019.16.10.png?alt=media\&token=31dbfb06-1413-4ef8-bb68-d8a77fc7d7d4)

{% file src="/files/R0IEG4qtPP7HXFpYqS8T" %}

For visualization purposes, I tried to create a square meter of elements in TinkerCad.

![](https://725701341-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FQFjfv0sGMlHUNJBjnaGy%2Fuploads%2Fv3rJpCqXjnl1SVhHZmJk%2FBildschirmfoto%202023-02-20%20um%2015.38.46.png?alt=media\&token=5b1ba7d5-4a04-468a-9873-8786d247465a)

When having that many elements in one CAD file the software got super slow. It was also not possible to export a stl file.