Ross Towbin - Side Table

Side Table

CAD | Digital Fabrication | Design

I was tasked with designing a functional and aesthetically pleasing side table that could be easily fabricated using laser cutters and other digital fabrication equipment. After countless sketches and prototypes, I arrived at a design that would not only function as a side table but be able to accommodate my collection of various vinyl records, as well as a pair of headphones. Not only did this project further my endeavors in furniture design, but I also became more comfortable with the use of digital fabrication equipment, particularly the laser-cutting process.

Design Objective

My initial goal was to design a functional and aesthetically pleasing side table that could be easily fabricated using laser cutters and other digital fabrication equipment. In addition to this, I wanted to incorporate my love for music and create an object that could store my small collection of records as well as accommodate my headphones.

Ideation

The start of my creative process involved the formulation of 30 thumbnail sketches. As I progressed through a significant amount of these preliminary sketches, patterns, and shared characteristics began to emerge. The designs I found most appealing were those that were simple, characterized by angular lines, and heavily incorporated the use of slots in their form. Based on this, I transitioned to creating a more expansive sketch, which would lay the groundwork for my final design.

Building the model with cardstock and hot glue

Finished model

Model Making

Utilizing cardstock and hot glue, I created a miniature model of the table from my drawings. This gave me a real sense of its 3D form and structure, as well as how it could cope with weight. This was a key task that needed to be tackled before I could proceed with the CAD.

CAD Modeling

Using my initial sketches and models as a guide, I modeled the table within Autodesk Fusion 360, maintaining the exact scale I planned for the final product. While doing this, I developed the slot system, which would make the table more structurally sound. This method gave me a true-to-life representation of how the piece was expected to appear. After completing this step, I was able to translate the 3D model into an Illustrator file format for laser cutting.

Cutting out the various components

Assembling the table

Fabrication

After refining the layout of the pieces for optimal use of the material, the components were carefully cut from 1/4-inch plywood. The assembly process was relatively straightforward, I used a rubber mallet to fit the more challenging pieces together. Even without the use of glue, the table remained extremely sturdy.

Final Direction

After fully assembling the table, it was ready to house my record collection. The records were accommodated perfectly, and the slot system lessened the horizontal pressure on them, aiding in their preservation. The headphone stand also proved to be very useful. I was very pleased with the final product, the table was seamlessly integrated into my home.