SHELL Process¶
The shell is a bioleather with the discrded pupa shells acting as a filler. I was inspired to create some kind of harness and accesories in the theme of how a shell acts as armor for the insect. Here are some of my influences.
The Original Product¶
The pupa shell is a small flaky shell left behind in the cocoon by the moth as it escapes.
Grinding Shells¶
Testing Recipes¶
| Result | Recipe | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 |
cast alginate 3 on tight cotton | |
 |
cast alginate 3 on linen fabric | harder feel and curled edges |
 |
cast alginate 2 on tight cotton | |
 |
cast alginate 2 on linen fabric | harder feel and curled edges |
 |
guar gum | cast on plastic |
 |
alginate 1 | mica adds a little shimmer |
 |
regenerated alginate scraps | hard to get an even texture |
 |
cast chitosan 1 | nice color and shiny feel but strong smell of vinegar |
 |
diy bioprinted guar gum | |
 |
diy bioprinted chitosan 1 | strong smell of vinegar |
 |
cast agar 1 on plastic | shiny texture, translucency |
 |
cast agar 1 on plastic | thicker cast, shiny texture, translucency |
 |
cast agar 2 on plastic | shrunk, more rigid and uneven |
 |
cast agar 3 on plastic | added onion dye and chitin flakes |
 |
cast agar 4 on plastic | added acorn and iron dye and chitin flakes |
CHITOSAN 1
- 138ml water
- 4.5g glycerin
- 4g chitin
- 4g cmc
- 2g shells
- 75g vinegar
ALGINATE 1
- 50ml water
- 0.5g shells
- 0.5g alginate
- 1.5g glycerin
- pinch of mica
ALGINATE 2
- 100ml water
- 1g shells
- 1g alginate
- 4g glycerin
ALGINATE 3
- 100ml water
- 1g shells
- 1g alginate
- 4g glycerin
- 1g cmc
GUAR GUM
- 50ml water
- 1g guar gm
- 1g shells
- 1g glycerin
AGAR 1
- 300ml water
- 10g agar
- 5g glycerin
- 2g shells
AGAR 2
- 300ml water
- 10g agar
- 10g glycerin
- 2g cmc
- 2g shells
AGAR 3
- 300ml water
- 10g agar
- 5g glycerin
- 1g chitin flakes
- onion dye dissolved in the water
AGAR 4
- 300ml water
- 10g agar
- 5g glycerin
- 1g chitin flakes
- acorn and iron dye dissolved in the water
Lasercutting Sample¶
Recipe: Agar 1
Material: Shell bioplastic
P: 32
S: 1.5
F: 1000 hz
Pases: 1
The power needs to go up a little bit because it did not pass all the way through in some places. During the removal it was easy to rip - I need to make a thicker cast.
Large Casting¶
RECIPE: Agar 1 scaled up x12 adding madder and cinnamon
Casting on plastic - a lot of shrinkage, especially for thick casts, shiny surface.
Trying to flaten out the pieces with pressure and a little heat resulted in these wrinkles, which could be an interesting look but it makes lasercutting difficult.
RECIPE: Agar 1 scaled up x10 adding cinnamon
Casting on fabric - less shrinkage, make sure to make a thick cast because it will not be shrinking from the sides only in thickness, can be hard to remove and may have a fuzziness on the side that was connected to the fabric.
Lasercutting Final Accessories¶
Material: Shell bioplastic
P: 35
S: 1.5
F: 1000 hz
Pases: 1
