Aluminum can be formed using a wide variety of processes – be it rolling, forging or pressing. In the “AI 13” project, however, the designer duo is investigating the possibilities and limits of innovative shaping: cast aluminium in sand molds from the 3D printer.
Bild: Ville Kokkonen
“This method gives us flexibility in the design process and allows us to go from digital design to implementation without any detours,” says Moritz Schmid. “Initial prototypes can be tested and further developed directly in the original material.”
The sand molds, which are printed in layers, leave traces: the structure remains visible on the surfaces of the castings in a ring shape, similar to contour lines on a map. To protect the textured surface while retaining its character with a metallic sheen, anodising is the ideal solution. Rebecca Frei from the BWB plant in Niederwangen accompanied the project:
Bild: Rasmus Norlander
"The decorative coating of cast parts is unusual because the coloring is largely determined by the alloy used. This is why the inherent color of the built-up layer varies in shades of grey of different brightness levels," the plant manager explains the particular challenge. A specific pre-treatment, many years of experience and a sure instinct for anodising have contributed to the high-quality end result in matt black.
The history and background of Swiss aluminium production has become a focus topic for Schmid and Kokkonen. "We looked into the history of aluminum in furniture, at least as far as our immediate surroundings are concerned," Schmid begins.
