ENVISION TURNSTILE
An Industrial Design Project Emphasizing Openness in a Closed Space
THE CURRENT SOLUTION
For this project, I was tasked with re-imagining the threshold between the two separate sections of the EnVision Maker Studio. The current solution is fairly simple, and there is no physical separation between the two spaces. Instead, the users are prompted by a screen next to the only threshold between the two spaces to swipe their student ID to log in, and if they are allowed access a light will flash green and the staff won't bar their entry. If they are not allowed in to the space, their only barriers to entry are a notice on the sign in screen, a red light, and a student staff member whose job includes watching this threshold.
With this gateway, I have been challenged with designing a physical barrier to entry for people who have not been pre-approved for entry to the maker studio that is also visually inviting for anyone visiting the public section of the maker studio, regardless of their ability to access the rest of the space.
RESEARCH
Before sketching out designs, I researched other solutions to blocking of limited spaces. While many of the solutions I researched didn't explicitly affect my proposed deliverable, one in particular did! A friend of mine came back from working in Japan, and recommended I check out their subway turnstiles as a source of inspiration.
A key difference between the Japanese turnstiles and other gateway solutions that I came across in my research is how they function when not in use. Unlike a conventional turnstile, these gates are open when inactive, and only close when a user attempts to pass through without a valid ticket. With this exciting jumping off point, I began to draw up designs that maintained this same basic functionality, re-imagined for the particular needs of EnVision.
INITIAL PROPOSAL
When proposing my initial deliverable concept, I drew a turnstile that pretty closely resembled the Japanese subway turnstile I was drawing inspiration from. I focused instead on the user's interaction, attempting to convey to my manager my vision for how visitors to EnVision would view and interact with this new turnstile.
FINAL 2D MOCKUP
After receiving feedback from my manager, I mocked up a set of more finalized 2d sketches. These sketches take into account not only visual appeal, but accessibility as well. I made sure that the height of the controls were in the proper range for compliance with ADA specifications.
INITIAL 3D MODELS
To begin bringing my project to life during quarantine, I began modeling each individual part I intended on using, and working out some of the issues before even buying materials. The main frame for the kiosk would be made of 80/20 extruded aluminum, which I modeled two lengths of in SolidWorks. I then designed some simple corner pieces (to be 3D printed), which allow bolts to be threaded in to the aluminum and give the corners a nice and smooth look. I also modeled some rubber gaskets (for holding the panels), and the individual panels for each side of the kiosk.
HINGE ASSEMBLY
The first challenge I had 3D modeling was creating an easy to fabricate hinge for the turnstile's door. I found a set of .stl files along with a .pdf diagram of a hinge that seemed like a good jumping off point here. The documentation mentioned that the pieces could be made out of 3mm thick laser cut acrylic, so using the .pdf diagram, I created a simplified guide to laser cut individual pieces. For the purposes of my 3D mockup of my turnstile, I then recreated these individual laser cut pieces in SolidWorks and tested putting them together as an assembly.
SERVO ASSEMBLY
I then Moved on to modeling a servo provided by my work, attempting to recreate it as realistically as possible. Rather then model the individual bolts, I used files from McMaster-Carr.
HINGE AND SERVO ASSEMBLY
After completing the hinge assembly and servo, I designed a bracket for the servo and created a flexible assembly to examine and fine tune how my assemblies interact with one another.
FINALIZING 3D MODELS
A huge bottleneck in my process has been my inability to access EnVision due to COVID-19. Because myself and my employers have not been able to get into the maker studio, I have had to wait quite a while to get accurate measurements for hardware in EnVision, as well as the precise size of the threshold that my turnstile will eventually be installed in.
My early work has been concerned with setting myself up to be able to efficiently create an accurate model once these measurements became available. Now that I have that information at my disposal, I know how long the door for my kiosk needs to be, the precise dimensions of the T-Slot aluminum in my design, and the size of the monitor used for the current sign-in screen.
FINALIZING ASSEMBLY
After finalizing all of my individual models and subassemblies, I have completed my final model of my deliverable. During this stage, I have had to make some small adjustments in order to make sure that everything will fit properly when this is fabricated in the rel world. With the assembly completed, I can now move on to my first attempts to properly render my deliverable.
ADDITION OF PODIUM
As a late addition, I included a podium in the bottom of the kiosk to give information about the kiosk itself. The podium itself is quite simple, and like much of the rest of the kiosk is constructed from laser cut acrylic that is bolted together. I wanted to showcase my influences, give some documentation of the modeling process, and emphasize the fact that the tools in the space they are entering could be used to create something as large and intricate as this kiosk.
RENDERING DELIVERABLE
With my assembly completed, I have begun exploring texturing and rendering in order to create visually appealing final documentation for my project. This project has forced me to push my boundaries as an industrial designer and has vastly improved my 3D modeling abilities. I'm excited to see this project realized in real life, and will update this page further when it is realized by the current EnVision staff.