Google Earth+CNC=Fluid Earth
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01. 9.08
Slartibartfast was particularly fond of the fjords, but the whole world is covered in wonderful topography that one can read from contour maps with a bit of training, but cannot feel without being there. Until now, with Fluid Earth. This brings together so many ideas that we love at TreeHugger; mass customization, downloadable designs, creative use of the latest technologies to develop beautiful things. And what could be more beautiful than your favourite place on Earth?
"Fluid Earth bowls are unique works of art in the form of your chosen part of the earth. The beloved On-line Service Google-Maps enable you to quickly and easily design your own work of art. The world is truly at you fingers and can be filled with the fruits of the earth."
You go online and find your favourite spot and fiddle with the scale and dimensions; (most contour models have to be exaggerated vertically unless you are in the mountains) and play with it until you are happy;
then add to your cart. "After ordering your bowl the Algodes software generates the required production files. This is fed into the computer controlled (CNC) milling machine that forms a block of wood into your personal Fluid Earth. Since every bowl is different the surface is sanded and polished by hand and finaly protected with a natural oil. To keep your bowl looking fresh and new, simply apply a new coating of olive or sunflower oil."
Two weeks later you have your own little piece of planet Earth, preserved in wood. What a fabulous mashup of technology, art and design to make what must be the most creative use yet of NASA's databases, Google Earth, CNC technology and online shopping. ::Fluid Earth via ::Product Dose
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"What a fabulous mashup of technology, art and design to make what must be the most creative use yet of NASA's databases, Google Earth, CNC technology and online shopping."
... TO MAKE.... BOWLS! WHAT A GREAT IDEA!
CNC MILLING MACHINES TO MAKE FREAKIN BOWLS? HOW IS THIS GREEN? C'MON PEOPLE.
HOW WOODEN BOWLS USED TO BE MADE: A BLOCK OF WOOD, A BLADE, AND SOME EFFORT. SURE, YOU COULDN'T NAVIGATE THROUGH A NATIONAL PARK USING ONE OF THESE BOWLS AND SOME GI JOE ACTION FIGURES, BUT AT LEAST YOU DIDN'T NEED THE TECHNOLOGY LISTED ABOVE TO MAKE A FREAKIN BOWL.
this really is cool. i bet it would make a great gift for that 'someone who has everything!'
oh , my gosh! using the bowl as a map! that is fabulous! . . . i wonder if you can get them without the oiling step? so you could add colour and then seal them. that would make it an even better gift!
and, yes, I am well aware of the intended sarcasam, i just don't care. i still think these are really cool!
Patrick,
Granted it's not the most "green" bowl out there, it acknowledges nature by incorporating topography of a beloved place into a household item. It's made from wood; I've seen similar works from PVC and they're not as good looking and nowhere near as environmentally friendly.
Lloyd, awesome reference!
Are those isobars or real wood grain? I can't tell from the pic.
Also - these are really cool, but green? Is the wood well sourced? Is the electricity for the CNC well sourced? Are the shavings turned into fuel pellets?
The only green part of this I see is that it is made of renewable, and possibly sustainable/regenerative materials.
Dave, the blocks look like plywood made with alternating sheets of dark and light wood. If that's the case, then the lines you see would indeed be contours.
Isobars show equal barometric pressure, by the way.
Unless you use Crater Lake they're going to make some pretty poor bowls. All you have there are some abnormally bumpy pieces of wood that are apparently only good for holding apples.
This is really neat. Wish it were using Virtual Earth technology though.
You guys really ought to try it. It has API's and other stuff just like Google Earth as well, but better aerial views.
http://maps.live.com/
I was going to do one of my parents farm but it doesn't zoom in far enough.