Fly-Pressing Platinum

 

Drawings of Fly-press Motif

I conducted a trial and error process to determine the exact shape I wanted to fly-press for my final Platinum earrings. The last two drawings depict the earrings as a whole, with one side pierced and the other fly-pressed. After careful consideration, I finalized that the very last drawing represents the desired shape and size for my earrings.

Platinum fly-pressed motif

I was initially scared to fly-press platinum, given the limited 20 grams provided. A mistake could end my competition chances. To ease compression, I rolled the plate to 0.4mm thickness, as platinum is harder than silver. I was honestly over the moon when I witnessed my fly-pressed platinum motif was a success the outlining of the shape to the depth of the motif was just what I wanted it to look like and it looked way better than the silver piece.  I had to just pierce around the outline of the shape as well as get the filing to be done very precisely to avoid losing the shape and the amazing depth it has for the final look.

CAD design:Pierced Daisies

Design done on CAD 

The design for my platinum earrings was created using CAD software, specifically Rhino 5. To maintain consistency in shape and size, I copied, pasted, and mirror techniques for the flowers. Additionally, I trimmed unnecessary elements to achieve a clean and polished look for the floral pattern.

design printed and pasted on silver plate

Before piercing the design I printed the CAD design from Rhino 5, cut out the design and pasted it onto the silver plate. I then carefully drilled holes with a 0.6mm drill bit to access the finer petals before commencing the piercing process using a 0.3mm saw blade.

Pierced out design

The design has been pierced out, but the paper is still attached to help identify areas that need to be filed or adjusted for the correct outlining of the design.

Back of the pierced plate

The back of the silver plate looked something like this before it can be filed and neatened.

 

Silver Prototype

 

silver prototype

This is the final appearance of the silver piece. The right plate was pierced, and the design was meticulously crafted using Rhino 5 for accuracy. To achieve a better-defined shape, the size was scaled down, and adjustments were made to the fly press after evaluating the prototype.

Fy-press Process: Silver

The shape needed to be fly-pressed

The design is pasted on a brass plate and used as a mould. A matching shape is cut on a piece of wood for added depth. Both pieces are secured together with masking tape. Neat and precise cut-outs ensure a clean outcome.

 

Hydraullic Jack with the mould to be compressed

The process begins with a steel block placed on the hydraulic jack as the bottom layer, followed by a cut-out wood piece for added depth. Then, the fly-press design mould and rubber mould are stacked on top, with another steel block for increased pressure. The nearby steel rod functions as a lever, enabling up and down movements to move the jack upwards, compressing the sheet of metal into the mould.

The outcome look

This is the appearance of the piece after being removed from the hydraulic jack. The compression process gives it the final shape. The material used is a 0.5mm thick silver sheet, chosen for its malleability, allowing for easy compression into the mould.

Removed from the mould look

After removing the tape, the silver sheet is taken out from the mould, revealing the outline shape of the design to be pierced for a more defined look. However, upon closer inspection of this outcome, the overall shape and appearance were not pleasing and didn't convey the intended feeling of the final piece. 

Fly-pressing set-up

 

Steel block and rubber mould 

The fly-press process requires two essential pieces of equipment: the steel block and the rubber mould. The steel block serves as a platform for placing the design that needs to be fly-pressed. On the other hand, the rubber mould plays a crucial role in preventing the piece from acquiring a flat appearance when pressure is applied during the process. Additionally, it helps secure the metal, enabling it to flow seamlessly into the shape of the cut-out used for the fly-pressing.

Hydraulic-Jack

The Hydraulic jack is a crucial tool utilized to compress the sheet of metal into the cutout of the shape, creating a three-dimensional, domed effect.

Design Process: Drawings

 

the design drawing

This is the design drawing I created based on an inspiring picture I found. It serves as a visual representation of my upcoming piece. On the left side of the design, there's a daisy-pierced motif with a gently curving, leaf-like outline. On the right side, I used the fly-press technique, creating a shape resembling a lotus, although it retains some leaf-like characteristics.

sketching of the design being put together

This is a step-by-step rundown of the process I will follow to assemble all my pieces into the final design. Think of it as a diagram illustrating how the piece will be manufactured. On the left side, the design will be pierced, while on the right side, it will be fly-pressed. The two parts will then be connected using two jump rings, and the stud's post will be attached to a small fly-pressed lotus petal.

scaling the earring 

As I progressed with the project, one crucial aspect was ensuring the earring's proper scaling, making it wearable while keeping its weight under 10 grams in silver for the prototype. This limitation is in line with the competition's requirement of not exceeding 20 grams for the platinum version, considering that platinum is twice as dense as silver (i.e., 10 grams of silver equals 20 grams of platinum).

Design inspiration

 

pierced, forged, domed, and flushed setting Neckpiece and earrings

This piece became a great source of inspiration for my platinum concept. I was captivated by the striking contrast between the rough textured leaf shape and the delicately pierced leaf connected to it. To incorporate this element into my design, I decided to experiment with a combination of a dome and pierced look while maintaining a sense of naturalism. The challenge was to contain the naturalistic feel within the defined structure of the piece.

PlatAfrica 2023 Client

Madison (26)

This is Madison. The client I chose to work with for the 2023 PlatAfrica Competition. the reason behind my choice my client, Madison, once expressed her concern about the escalating deforestation rate and loss of natural habitats, recognizing their profound impact on the planet. She stressed the significance of individuals taking responsibility for their actions, even if it's just a small step towards positive change. 

  

twisted branch 

Inspired by the curvy branch, my advanced concept blends lotus petals and paisley designs with a twist to embody this year's theme of emergence in the competition. It also contrasts with the design hook of Modern nouveau, more specifically the wave formation.

daisy

The daisy embodies Madison's concept of viewing nature as a whole and recognizing its significance in shaping our actions toward the environment. Rather than appreciating the gifts around us, humans often treat them negatively. The vibrant colors of the daisy make it visually appealing, and that's precisely why I selected it as a motif. Its brightness captivates the eye, serving as a reminder of the beauty we should cherish and protect, encouraging a more appreciative and responsible attitude towards nature.