FlexiCork
A highly compressive pattern made of cork that stays intact under 4 tons of pressure.
Design Engineering ︎
Sustainable Material Research ︎
Manufacturing Communication ︎
Cork, which is tree bark harvested from oak trees naturally inherent many super powers, among them is flexibility and compression. FlexiCork multiplies this ability and opens up the potential of cork usage in furniture cushioning and protective packaging in replacement of harmful materials.
Developed in collaboration with the design & engeneering department of Amoriom (Portugal), the biggest cork processing group in the world.
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INITIAL EXPLORATION
Cork is not only highly compressive, but it’s also fireproof, hydrophilic, antimicrobial, sound-absorbing and more. Through brief investigations with material samples, the compressive strength and flexibility captured my attention and becoming the primary focus.
Cork is not only highly compressive, but it’s also fireproof, hydrophilic, antimicrobial, sound-absorbing and more. Through brief investigations with material samples, the compressive strength and flexibility captured my attention and becoming the primary focus.
FlEXIBLE CORK IN A
SIMPLE CHAIR FORM
SIMPLE CHAIR FORM
-experimenting with different thicknesses and curvatures of cork and examining how they influenced the level of flexibility
-resulted in an comfortable, bouncy and supportive arch shape especially comparing to hard surface seating including traditional solid cork furniture.
-resulted in an comfortable, bouncy and supportive arch shape especially comparing to hard surface seating including traditional solid cork furniture.
COMPRESSIVE PATTERN EXPLORATION
The first attempt at finding the best compressive pattern resulted in a surprisingly rigid one. More than 7 iterations were done with shop tools and CNC later.
The first attempt at finding the best compressive pattern resulted in a surprisingly rigid one. More than 7 iterations were done with shop tools and CNC later.
FLEXICORK SAMPLE
The sample was taken to Porto, Portugal where Amorim’s factory is located for pressure testing and exploring manufacturing posibilities.
The sample was taken to Porto, Portugal where Amorim’s factory is located for pressure testing and exploring manufacturing posibilities.
iterations and final sample (right)
WORKING WITH THE FACTORY
TESTING:
SAMPLE REMAINS INTACT AFTER 4 TONS OF PRESSURE
Testing done with a hydrolic press at the engeneering department shows that the sample stays undamaged after 4 tons of pressure is applied and bounced back to 86% of its original height.
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SAMPLE REMAINS INTACT AFTER 4 TONS OF PRESSURE
Testing done with a hydrolic press at the engeneering department shows that the sample stays undamaged after 4 tons of pressure is applied and bounced back to 86% of its original height.
MANUFACTURING METHOD
Through collaboration with the designers and engineers at Amorim, we have ideated on an potential manufacturing method.
FlexiCork presents a sustainable solution to replace conventional cushioning and packaging materials such as Polyurethane and Polyethylene foams with a natural, recycable and durable alternative.
Through collaboration with the designers and engineers at Amorim, we have ideated on an potential manufacturing method.
FlexiCork presents a sustainable solution to replace conventional cushioning and packaging materials such as Polyurethane and Polyethylene foams with a natural, recycable and durable alternative.
