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Rosin Biocomposite Moulding

Learning paths

Path Target Duration Skills
Discovery Students - 18-25 ++ 3 hours

Introduction and context

One of the most emerging developments that is currently growing rapidly in the field of industrial design, fashion and art is the creation of biobased materials, biofabricated in laboratories from microorganisms, bacteria and biopolymers.

This learning path is explaining about moulding a Rosin Biocomposite.

Target audience and context of use
Creatives and professionals, such as producers, designers, architects, biologists, SMEs, and companies with interest in sustainability and alternative innovative biobased materials. Take a look at the Rotation station workshop if you wanna run a biomaterial demonstration.

Learning paths

Preparation and materials

Dive into the references provided in this page, select your recipes and create your team of facilitators. Organize some testing sessions and brief meetings for coordinating with facilitators.

Be careful. Check you have all the tools and materials needed and that you will have time to wrap up your tools, set up the logistics for the event room.

Prepare in advance: -Molds

Equipment, Tools and Materials

  • Tables + chairs
  • Video recording and photo setup
  • Communication audio system between facilitators (telegram) for rotation coordination
  • Measuring Cup
  • Wooden Mold of 10x10cm 1cm - 2cm thick
  • Induction stove
  • Pots
  • Silicon spatula
  • Spoons
  • Sieve
  • Syringe
  • Digital scale
  • Baking paper
  • 45gr of pine resin
  • 5gr Carnauba Wax
  • 20ml Alcohol 96°
  • 40gr approx of Dried shredded food waste (coffee grains, orange peels, avocado pits, eggshells, tea leaves, carrot, yerba mate, etc.)

The amount of foodwaste depends on the volume and absorption of the residue, you may have to do several trials to find the right amount.

Step by Step Instructions

STEP BY STEP overview

  • Make sure you have all your tools and materials.
  • Select the dried organic waste to use as a filler. *Blend the dried organic waste to the desired particle size
  • Place baking paper on the bottom part of the mold.
  • Press with the top part of the mold to fit the shape.
  • Reserve a piece of baking paper the same size for the top, to use after pouring the mix
  • Pour the resin and the alcohol in the pot.
  • Start heating in low heat and cover the pot with the lid.
  • When the resin has melted, remove the lid carefully so as not to breathe the vapors
  • Add the wax and mix the ingredients with silicone spatula until you have an homogenous mix.
  • Add waste material as filler.
  • Mix again and cover for one or two minutes
  • Pour the mix quickly into the mold using the spatula.
  • Cover with baking paper.
  • Press with your hands to distribute the mix evenly.
  • Press with the top mold firmly.
  • Compact down
  • Let the mix cool down
  • Remove the top mold
  • Remove the top baking paper
  • Remove the piece

Safety rules & Tips

  • Working with an induction heat plate is safer
  • Do not stand inhaling over the pot if there is alcohol in the recipe
  • Use towels to pick up hot pots
  • Use a lab coat or apron for keeping yourself clean
  • Tie your hair up

Flyer for participants

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Estimated cost
You might plan some costs for getting the materials and tools but also some fees linked to your collaboration with the place you run the workshop. In our case, we set up a contract with a design museum [to complete]

Tips to facilitate the activity in context (to-do / not do)

  • For the better understanding of the materials, it is recommended to have samples to demonstrate the outcome of the recipes

References

Links to photos and recorded materials

lara

More information about the Remix El Barrio exhibition and tutorials that participants can visit and look at:
Tutorials
Foodture
Remix El Barrio Catalogue

Licence and credits

Attribution — ShareAlike CC BY-SA This activity has been designed by Anastasia Pistofidou, Marion Real, Lara Campos from the Remix el barrio collective, Fab Lab Barcelona and Ines Burdiles for shemakes.eu. It is based on Fabricademy´s learning content of Biofabricating Materials, FabTextiles´ open publications and Iaac Fab Lab Barcelona´s learning experiences methodology.

Related and supporting activities/modules
It can be combined with the other topics of Biofabrication, part of the sustainability Package of Fabricademy, such as Biochromes and Textile Scaffold.


Last update: February 22, 2022