PROJECT
The Rotary Station was a project I undertook solo early on at PLOTT. It was a large-scale design that changed significantly from its early concept, changes to which I had to adapt as a designer. Creating the unit’s final spherical design was a challenge that I met with my 3D modeling skills, creating inventive ways to shape the Rotary Station’s round core and hollow shell.
PRODUCT
A self-contained rotary laser designed to always finish the job.
The Rotary Station is a rotary laser designed with two goals in mind: to be as durable as possible and to eliminate the need for a carrying case.
The Rotary Station’s durability comes from its highly protective form factor. The important electronics and interface touch screen are contained within its spherical core, which is surrounded by a four-piece rubberized shell that is magnetically anchored to the core at eight points. Upon experiencing a severe impact (such as being knocked over on a busy job site,) the connection points of the shell are designed to disengage and absorb the blow, protecting the valuable core and allowing the unit to remain in use.
As the shell affords full-time protection to the Rotary Station whether it is in use or in transport, there is no need to pair the unit with a separate carry case for off-the-job protection.
PROCESS
Articulated shells meant for storage and style.
My early concepts for the Rotary Station envisioned a rotary laser that did not require a separate case for storage and protection. The device was surrounded by articulated polygonal shields that formed an approximation of a sphere while giving the unit a modern visual flair. These panels were meant to enclose the entire laser core, including the diode, and unfold while the laser was in use. The unit could also use them to stand upright on level ground.
In further revisions of this articulated concept, I rotated the open spaces in the shields 45° to allow access to the core’s new side handles and touchscreen.
Durability is key on any job site, and the idea was already there.
When I examined my progress on the Rotary Station, I realized a opportunity that I had missed in our current concepts: the shields offered total area protection to the core, but their thin construction and articulated arms meant that they were likely to break and become unusable if the unit faced a severe impact.
After this realization, the design intent for the Rotary Station changed. The idea was still to unify a rotary laser with a case, but extreme durability was now the focal point. I redesigned the core into a sphere with integrated handles, a stronger diode, an inset touch screen, and mounts for the new shell. The articulated panels became a magnetically-mounted four-piece hard rubber shell, with gaps for handle and touch screen access and diode use, designed to absorb heavy impacts by disengaging at the connection points. This integrated case/protection system became the unique feature on which we pitched the Rotary Station.
