InflataTent

After making my InflataTent in Rhino, I used the unroll command to make pattern pieces. I selected the unrolled pieces and exported them into Illustrator. In Illustrator I made seam allowances for each patter piece by copying each path (individually) and shifting it over about 1/4". I then saved them as a PDF and printed them on the plotter. I taped the pattern pieces on a table w plastic sheeting on top and traced the patterns. I learned how to do this thru sewing, but cutting fabric is a lot easier than cutting plastic sheeting. When cutting fabric I pin each pattern piece to the fabric so it is the exact same size as the pattern piece. I could not pin the pattern piece to the plastic because it would rip and I would be left with holes that might inhibit the tent from inflating. I tried to tape the plastic sheeting as taut as possible, but the bigger the pattern piece the harder it was to stretch it out flat. As a result the pattern piecesweren't perfect and they did not fit together perfectly.

After tracing and cutting each piece I constructed the tubes. I used packing tape to seal the seams. First I put tape down one long side on the back then I rolled it over a piece of 2x4 with the adhesive of the tape facing up on top of the 2x4. I took the other side of the plastic and made sure the middle and corners lined up. I tried to make the seams as flat as possible by pulling the plastic taut while taping it. After getting the inside tape done I went over the seam again with tape for reinforcement. This also helps to make the tubes air tight. I ended up with 7 sets of tubes each with 4-8 pieces.

Although I did not finish the construction of the inflatable, I learned a lot from the process. The first thing I learned is that I should have made it out of vinyl or pvc coated fabric so I could sew it. Sewing is a lot easier than working with tape and plastic. It is also more professional since that is how the inflatables for moon bounces are constructed. I also learned more about working with Rhino. In the past I have had a lot of issues using the BolleanUnion command. This time I figured out why I was having problems with it. After making my tent about 3 times I realized that some of the parts were at too extreme of an angle and not intersecting the other part in the right place. I adjusted them and got every piece to Bolean correctly. This allowed me to have the exact pattern pieces to have a completely hollow frame to be inflated. I also learned how to export the pieces into Illustrator, something I never knew I could do before. Being able to work with Rhino and Illustrator for this project helped a great deal in making the pattern pieces. As much as I don't like working with computers that much, I can see how helpful it can be with certain sculptural processes.

I will be completing the inflatable over the break, hopefully I will be able to figure out how to get each tube to fit correctly. I also really want to do this with fabric and sew it so I might try to find the fabric somewhere in America, since I had been looking before and could only find a supplier in Europe.

InflataTent

My big project, that I've been thinking about for a while now, is an inflatable tent. This structure will be different from other inflatable structures I've made which were completely inflated on the inside. From my research I've found wall inflatables, meaning the walls are inflated and the inside is hollow (like bouncy castles) and ones which the structure frame is inflated. My tent will be inflated by its structural frame. In order to do this I've made the structure in rhino and I will be unwrapping it to create pattern pieces like in sewing. I have not unwrapped my structure yet, but this is what it will look like:
I started out using a 4-pt star solid. Instead of having the points go in, I made them go out so it became this 8 sided shape. Then I extruded the bottom down about 3 ft so there is some room to walk around the sides where the bedrooms are. I then traced the lines making a floor plane and frame:

After I had these lines I made, what I call, InflataLines. These are the tubes that will be inflated. To do this I selected the curves and used the Pipe command making pipes that are 3" in diameter. I also made the interior walls to block off each room. To make these I just made surfaces going from the ground up, past the top of the tent. These surfaces correspond with the floor plans. Afterward I trimmed the excess surface so the walls go all the way to the roof and stop. I also had to trim the extra surface that goes through the InflataLines so it does not constrict the air flow. The last step will be to create the vents for the blower and the air to escape. Most likely this structure will not be able to be inflated once and stay inflated for a night. The inflatable slides and bouncy castles have air constantly being blown through them so the structure stays inflated and strong. I will also be making chairs, couches, and beds that will be inflated individually and will not be attached to blowers or the structure and will be able to be placed wherever you want.