PARTITION AUDIO
Design a Bluetooth speaker for manufacturing through rapid prototyping and testing.
Industrial Design / Hardware Design / DFM
Partition Audio Functional Prototype captured on 35mm film
Partition audio is the result of
an
intensive
hardware + electronics prototyping project.
The process entailed detailed tweaking to
different components while designing
and constructing a functioning Bluetooth
speaker with good sound quality.
hardware + electronics prototyping project.
The process entailed detailed tweaking to
different components while designing
and constructing a functioning Bluetooth
speaker with good sound quality.
Reference
I looked to the ideas of Donald Judd and Larry Bell to reference minimalist form iteration and Light/Space through my design.
What goes on behind the scenes?
Acrylic, Steel screws, Foam padding, Black automotive paint + gloss, Li-ion Batteries
Status: Prototype
A foamcore prototype was made to determine the ideal proportions for
how to arrange and place each
element of the speaker while
maintining good sound and sealing.
how to arrange and place each
element of the speaker while
maintining good sound and sealing.
Foamcore helps to determine measurements before acrylic pieces are cut, ensuring the dry fitting is as accurate as possible having been prototyped
first. Foam was added to the edges to provide good sealing.
first. Foam was added to the edges to provide good sealing.
I learned how to be efficient in spatial management
when I used Illustrator to create files for laser cutting.
when I used Illustrator to create files for laser cutting.
A Bridgeport Mill was used to plot pilot holes with refined precision. I learned best practices around machining and ensuring precision when milling.
The speaker evolved from its early circular form to the rectanlinear form through the prototyping process and development of reference points.
I developed an interest in circuitry and how electronics work.
Takeaways
- Understanding considerations for manufacturing
- The balance between form and feasability
- What a designer needs to understand about engineering
©Liam O’Rourke 2023