Last Saturday, we finally did a presentation for another program that has been vital to our group’s funding: the Multidisciplinary Design Program (MDP). After the prior week’s intense presentation and promotion at TedxUCI and UROP, our group kept the momentum going in preparation for MDP’s Symposium at Calit2 where we both presented a slideshow and our cart for viewing.

IMG_6921Our initial plan of action was to have our system up and running at our presentation, but because it would take a small chunk of time setting it up and taking it down (thus interfering with other MDP groups’ presentations), we had to sadly nix that plan. However, like at TedxUCI, we were able to describe the cart’s functions well enough that people had a good visual idea. Having the cart physically there also made it easier to guide the audience through the steps of our system as it is set up on the cart to work like the metaphorical, continuous loop we constantly mention. As demonstrated in the picture, the system starts on the top right with our 3D printer using plastic filament to print a plastic model which is then grinded into small pieces by the orange grinder you see to the left of the printer. Those small pieces are then guided by a duct into the green and orange extruder you see right below the grinder where the small pieces are grinded into finer pieces that are then extruded into 3mm plastic filament. That extruded plastic filament is then spooled neatly into a filament cartridge using the green spooler you see to the right of the extruder so that cartridge can be thrown back onto the 3D printer above it, thus repeating this continuous cycle!

IMG_6922As for the presentation, all of our members took turns talking about our projects, the group, and our current/future goals. Everyone did a fantastic job handling their section of the slideshow and beautifully handed off the baton to the next person throughout our 15-20 minute presentation. Will graciously introduced our members as well as our mentors Professor Jesse Jackson and Doctor Mark Walter. Aldrin beautifully explained the birth of the group and our mobile sustainable 3D printing system. I guided the audience through the basic, but essential components of our system. Amihan thoroughly explained the sustainable energy aspect of our system as well as this particular project’s future goals. Aaron seamlessly took over with his throwback to all of the projects S.P.A.M. has completed so far. Eunji happily talked about how we’ve been handling outreach and our workspace at the Speculative Prototyping Lab. Will nicely completed the presentation by stating the group’s future goals and our insightful reflections on this engineer and artist collaboration. All in all, I’d say we did a great job presenting our work, answering all the questions the audience had for us at the end, and generally promoting our group. Next order of business: presenting at the Beall Center for Art + Technology!