Lawrence Paper Company

Materials and Processes recently took a trip to Lawrence Paper Company.  We were first introduced to their design lab.  Here they created their own displays for companies such as Wal-Mart, Walgreens, pet food corporations, etc.  In their design lab, they had a two-axis printer.  This printer could cut out shapes of boxes with an exacto knife.  This would cut out the shape of the display, along with folding lines, so the displays could be sent to companies flat, and could be easily put together.  Most of these displays had huge color prints on them to exhibit their product.  These giant labels were done outside of shop and ordered by Lawrence Paper Company.  Outside of the design lab were many machines that were unique and made for this specific company.  They even had their very own equipment that would do different tests on the boxes and their durability.  Some boxes did include simple prints done in shop.  These printing plates were called plastic rubber flexography.  Lawrence Paper Company also built their own custom dye cuts.  However, they make them from a jigsaw instead of from laser cuts, because they take less maintenance.  The most intriguing things to see at this company were the huge paper rolls.  They were stacked high to the ceilings, resembling the forest they originated at.  Three rolls produced one gigantic sheet of paper for the company.  Lawrence Paper Company is a local company, producing paper displays for many different corporations.   

What is a clock?

I have finally completed the first project of my fall semester, 2012! This project was all about the concept of time and clocks.  I have posted my entire process book so you guys can see where my mind was going.  The easiest way to look through my process book is by clicking on my first picture which will bring up a window that will allow you to flip through them. Enjoy!

Be sure to check back in for my next project.

Over and out!

Dimensional Innovation

Materials and Processes traveled to Overland Park to tour Dimensional Innovation last week.  This company started in 1994 and primarily did custom work for theatres.  Although they still hold on to this tradition, they have definitely broadened their area of work.  They are now primarily a custom fabrication firm.  What was really fortunate for us was that our tour guide, Stephen Bantle, was a KU alumnus! This company was absolutely incredible.  Giant pictures of finished projects bordered the tops of the factory walls, while a large number of award banners hung from the ceiling.  I believe that being surrounded by your accomplishments will fire up inspiration and confidence, so, like Dimensional Innovation, I have been doing the same.  Like many fabrication companies, they keep stock of only specific and commonly used materials, such as acrylic, plywood, aluminum, expanded pvc, etc, and order in other materials as needed.  They introduced us to a material they have been using to create countertops for homes and hospitals.  This material is called corian, and is composed of acrylic polymer and alumina trihydrate.  When heated, corian can be bent into very unique shapes.  Seams from joints become invisible with sanding and polishing.  This, along with its non-porous quality, makes it easy to clean, which is greatly approved by hospitals.  They do the majority of their work in house, but things such as large stainless steel cuts are done out of house.   Dimensional Innovation had basically any tool or hardware you would ever need, such as cnc routers, saws, paint rooms, plotter printers, etc.  When designing for a project, they create a full functioning prototype on the computer, all the way down to the nuts and bolts.  This really creates a smooth transition from the computer world to solid materials.  It seems like there are always several projects being worked on at one time at Dimensional Innovation.  They design for jobs they are given, but also work through the design process on their own ideas as well.  One they were still in the process of constructing was a baby formula dispenser.  Dimensional Innovation has created some amazing things.  Knowing that there is a KU grad employed there gives me hope that someday I will work at a company as prestigious as Dimensional Innovation.  

Mardi Gras Made in China

In the United States, we usually think of New Orleans when the word Mardi Gras is brought up.  It is a giant party full of bright costumes, rich food, a lot of booze, and thousands and thousands of plastic beads.  Where did these beads come from?  In the documentary, Mardi Gras Made in China, we get to follow these beads from when they are made, to when they are used as decor.  The vast majority of these beads come from a large factory in China.  This factory is the home for all of the employees.  They work around 12-16 hours a day, doing the same monotonous tasks over and over again, all day long.  They are only given two weeks out of the year to visit home.  One girl that was interviewed said she only made around $62 dollars in a month.  The employees are teens or in their early twenties who give up their dreams and aspirations to help their family’s economic issues.  The employees begin and end their day with each other.  They grow extremely close, and essentially become family.  The conditions are fairly poor.  They work around toxic fumes and materials, sleep on extremely thin cots, and work very long hours. The head of the company believes in punishment.  If an employee doesn’t work the required hours, or has someone of the opposite sex in their room, he will sometimes take away a whole months pay.  Not being able to have someone of the opposite sex in your room, what an interesting restriction, due to the fact that some of the beads made at the factory are penises they have to paint and that these beads are sometimes given to women in exchange for a peek at their jugs.  It is physical labor in China in exchange for physical fun in the United States.  We use these beads for the Mardi Gras holiday, to wear around our necks.  Some women expose themselves in exchange for these beads.  What an odd tradition.  Do we REALLY need these beads?  How important are they?  The beads start in the hands of young workers in China, and usually end up in the streets of New Orleans the morning after Mardi Gras, later to be thrown away.  In Materials and Processes, we were given a small packet of questions that you can ask about any product or technology.  They range from ecological questions, to social and moral questions. What are its effects on the health of the planet and of the person? Does it serve the community? How does it affect our perception of our needs? What values does its use foster?  Mardi Gras beads: is it really worth it?

Film director David Redmon did an extremely good job in creating Mardi Gras Made in China.  I would definitely recommend checking this film out.  It not only exposes you to what Chinese workers go through to fabricate Mardi Gras beads, but will also get you to think about the reason, use, and origin of other products that we use.  Explore, wonder, and ask about these products.