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FOLD


DESCRIPTION

Fold is a sculptural yet functional pepper grinder designed to elevate any kitchen or restaurant setting. The U-shaped fold on top is designed to reflect the hand’s natural grip and give a more comfortable hold.

TOOLS

• Machining (Lathe and Mill), Roll Bending, Metal Fabrication, Finishing, Product Photography
• SOLIDWORKS, Adobe Lightroom, Premiere Pro

TIMELINE

NOV 2024 - DEC 2024

CREDITS

• Model: Un Jingjang
• Model: Hanbyul Lee







   




BACKGROUND

CONCEPT


This project explores how I could recreate the delicate visual of paper wrapping around itself using metal. While metal is typically perceived as rough, hard, and structural, I wanted to reimagine it as something delicate, like paper. The overlapping of metal sheets became the key visual element, challenging the material and transforming it into an elegant form.



OVERVIEW

PROCESS



PROTOTYPE
CAD + TECHNICAL DRAWING
MACHINING + FABRICATION
FINISH (POLISH, WAX)
ASSEMBLY + FUNCTION


STEP 1

PROTOTYPE


I began prototyping using paper to visualize the soft aesthetic into metal. I took into account of using rounded curves, fillets, and circular shapes to emphasize the soft look.



STEP 2

CAD + TECHNICAL DRAWING


Each component needed to have tight tolerance to fit the pepper grinder mechanism. 



STEP 3

MACHINING + FABRICATION


Each part was manually machined using lathe, mill, and roll bending techniques, following the technical drawings created in SOLIDWORKS.
A precise fit of the inner mechanism was required to prevent the bottom housing of the grinder from rotating while securely holding the top in place.

STEP 3

MACHINING: THREADS 


Using the lathe, I created a custom thread with both the male and female components. For the female component, I carefully created the boring to ensure the diameter matched the grinder part perfectly, while also making it the right length to prevent the bottom mechanism from rotating. I also focused on achieving a seamless appearance for the thread connection.

STEP 3

MACHINING: INSERT FIT + TAPER 


For the top component where the handle will be rotated, I needed to find a way to polish the outside, create a taper look on the ends, and make an insert fit where it cannot be moved. Each part was precisely lathe and milled to insert fit one another.


STEP 3

MACHINING: MILLING 


On the same top component, four tapped screws were included to ensure that when two parts are joined, they will not rotate on its own but instead together. 


STEP 3

FABRICATION: ROLL BENDING 


Using a 20 gauge aluminum sheet, I cut the piece and filed the corners down to the exact template from the technical drawings. After roll bending to the exact diameter of the top handle part, I was able to attach a tapped screw in the middle where the folded part and the handle part are joined.



STEP 4

FINISH 


Using aluminum polishing, I used lint-free microfiber cloth to clean up the surface before applying wax to protect it.



STEP 5

ASSEMBLY


The housing was precisely calibrated to fit the grinder mechanism. It includes detachable parts secured by machine screws, insert fit connections, and custom threading.


STEP 5

FUNCTION