Thank you

Thank you to everyone for your help and support during ArtPrize. We had a great friends and family turnout for the reception. Plus Brett was able to speak to a lot of ArtPrize voters about the compass and give them more details.

Leo's Main Event

http://www.leosrestaurant.com/ 

Fabrication of the Compass

After the CAD work was finished it was time for Brett to get started cutting, welding and rolling some steel.

First all the points were cut using a plasma table. The flat points were then loaded into a press brake where they were folded at the center. Next, the center cylinder was rolled from a rectangular piece of flat steel. After that was complete, the gas metal arch welder was used to tack and final weld these 5 pieces together.

It was also at this time that the smaller intermediate vanes were pressed and welded into place.

The large outer ring and degree markers were next. Four separate arched pieces were used to form the oval.

These were cut using the plasma table. Notches were cut out of the arches for each degree marker to slip into. This made for a very clean assembly. The arches were all welded together to form the sturdy outer ring.

Next the compass was welded to the outer ring, and it was really starting to take shape at this point.

The dome took the most amount of time to complete. Its made of a series of steel rings stacked on top of each other, welded together, then set into the CNC machine for cutting. Brett took the time to caliper and position each ring on the next for proper placement. The rings were clamped for a secure hold and welded on the inside to make a solid structure. Finally, it was loaded into the CNC machine where our map was cut.

For the final fabrication step, the compass and dome were attached. 

Design of the Compass

It all started with an idea for a compass rose. We researched many different styles of compasses. There are very simple and very ornate compass roses. For Kyle’s part, she had to decide how we could get the best of both worlds to come together.

It only took a few rough sketches before we had an idea of where this project was headed.

Next, Kyle started putting the ideas into the computer program Illustrator. Once the drawings were finished we decided which one was going to be the final design.

Then, the chosen file was exported to be compatible with CAD.

Finally, it was all Brett now. He brought the files into CAD and got right to work getting dimensions right. It was at this time that the idea for an oval vs circle was brought to the table.

The idea for the center great lakes map was all Brett. So, Kyle went back into Illustrator to design the center dome. This was no problem and really tied the compass together well. It’ll look great hanging on a Michigan beach house wall.