Symbiosis finale

MoDiP‘s Symbiosis project went out on a high. We had 14 people from 10 companies attend a workshop entitled ‘The Plastics Paradox: Demistifying 3D Printed Design’.  The event was co-hosted by MoDiP with Knowledge Exchange colleagues and brought a new audience to the Museum drawn from the largely local maker industries. It is a key audience for MoDiP and just that targeted by the Symbiosis project.

The day began with an introduction to MoDiP and engaging insights into our current exhibition: Polyphonic: Music through Plastics. The latter was given by Louise Dennis, co-curator with Pam Langdown of the exhibition. Then I gave a talk that placed 3-D printing in the wider context of past and present plastics manufacturing.  We also looked in detail at examples of 3D printing drawn from the collection, all of which are printed in polyamide, better known as nylon. 

Top row left to right: AIBDC 007038, AIBDC 007376. Bottom row left to right: AIBDC 007377, AIBDC 007078

Patrick Jouin’s Oneshot folding stool, complete with concealed hinges, was in particular a source of wonder.

One shot stool

It was really interesting to talk to designers and manufacturers who have hands on experience of the material and see the subject from such a different perspective.  Some had personal experience of injection moulding but were intrigued to be introduced to other manufacturing processes and especially earlier ones, such as thermo-forming, compression moulding, casting and hand fabrication.

Top row left to right: AIBDC 007456, AIBDC 005961. Bottom row left to right: AIBDC 007013.1, PHSL x14.14

Then we went to the University’s workshop where James Wood, industrial designer who, having worked for Nokia, LG and numerous European Consultancies, has set up Studio Wood in Bournemouth. His clients include Joseph Joseph, Beko and Autographer. He talked us through the advantages of 3-D printing as a prototyping medium and shared with us the disappointment of projects being pulled as they are about to go into production. Attendees then had a tour of the University’s 3D printing facilities and hands on experience of breaking 3D printed pieces out from their mould. 

Meet the Maker participants

The event finished with a sandwich lunch providing plenty of time for networking. MoDiP has made some really useful contacts on which we are already building. I am confident that, as a result of the event, MoDiP will acquire as a minimum one more industry supporter. 

We would like to thank Lucy Devall, Innovation Officer, for organising this successful event.

Susan Lambert (Head of MoDiP)