Skills: Waterjet, TIG Welding
In this Sculpture project which I was cross-registered for at Babson College, we were tasked with creating a sculpture that incorporated a “found object.” We had to select an object with personal significance or relevance to our design concept and use any available materials and tools to bring the sculpture to life.
As an avid cyclist, I chose a bicycle chain as my “found object.” To connect this passion with my love for aerospace, I selected the SpaceX Dragon logo — reflecting my work experience at SpaceX. I traced the Dragon logo in Illustrator, then converted the design into the appropriate format for waterjet cutting. Using 1/8" steel as stock, I waterjetted the design with two added tabs to keep the piece intact as a single part.
After waterjetting the Dragon head, I used my “found object” — the bicycle chain — as the stand for the piece. I cut the chain to the desired length and TIG welded the links together once properly positioned. To ensure stability, I calculated the center of mass of the Dragon head and aligned the chain stand accordingly.
I shaped the chain into a rectangle to provide stable support for the sculpture. To prevent tipping, I added two small half-links as feet at the bottom of the chain stand, ensuring the structure remained balanced.
