Drip generative parametric chain

Created by Alex Ross-Martin, Product design technology Bsc, University of the west of England This is a generatively designed chain printed from recovered ocean plastics, over which rain fall has been simulated and immortalised as geometry. Its goal is to add value to recovered/recycled plastic waste and serve as a reminder to users to be mindful of the waste they create and the possibilities for giving it new life. The bracelet is faithful to the narrative of change and recovery juxtaposing the industrial manufacture of chain links with the ethereal beauty of running water. It serves as a reminder of the journey discarded plastic often makes “dripping” away into the ocean. The design full advantage of modern design and manufacturing techniques to deliver a simulated beauty that would be difficult to replicate otherwise. The inbuilt variability of the chain links means that it can be adjusted to suit any individual’s needs and tastes. Each person’s chain is imbued with a sense of identity and connection with the water it was born from using a rain path simulation. The current design is suitable for FDM printing however it requires removing some detail from the top surface in order to provide a flat base to print from. However, if using another print medium this would not necessarily be the case. It is worth noting that it is usual for some links to be fused due to the nature of the water paths, when the bracelet is properly sized this is not an issue. The major advantages of using these methods are both the ability to use recycled source material and to manufacture seamless chains which do not require a closing link. The prototype has been printed using PLA but a final product would utilise ocean recovered PET filament.