Arts Thread

Julia Sasse
Industrial Design MA

Victoria University of Wellington

Specialisms: Industrial Design / Material Innovation / Digital Manufacturing

Location: Wellington, New Zealand

julia-sasse ArtsThread Profile
Victoria University of Wellington

Julia Sasse

Julia Sasse ArtsThread Profile

First Name: Julia

Last Name: Sasse

Specialisms: Industrial Design / Material Innovation / Digital Manufacturing

Sectors:

My Location: Wellington, New Zealand

University / College: Victoria University of Wellington

Course / Program Title: Industrial Design MA

About

I am a recent Industrial Design graduate, with an interest in innovative ways of making, and applying procedural and parametric workflows to product design. My recent work focuses on the design and application of functionally graded materials, fabricated through multi-material 3D printing.

The final vauxel saddle, with softer zones highlighted through the use of pink material.
the final vauxel saddle, in use.
pressure mapping is used to inform material design. pressure distribution varies for each rider, and through mapping, data like sit bone width and asymmetries are revealed.
Finding the most suitable cellular lattice structure involved the 3D modelling, 3d printing, and mechanical testing of many sample prints.
the saddle uses auxetic material, which describes a novel mechanical property. Auxetics flow towards a source of impact and become denser in areas of high stress as a result.
prototyping process
FDm 3d printing was used to explore saddle proportions. the central image row shows a sample with a radial softness gradient; the centre of the print is softer and has a pronounced viscoelastic response to compression.
the final vauxel saddle, in use.

Vauxel Saddle

Specialisms:

Industrial Design Material Innovation Digital Manufacturing

The VAUXEL 3D printed bike saddle utilises personal pressure mapping data to create a customised material design, ensuring a comfortable ride. By addressing the discomfort associated with traditional saddles, VAUXEL aims to make cycling more accessible and enjoyable. The saddle uses auxetic materials that expand under tension and contract under compression, providing enhanced energy absorption and localised shape conformability. Pressure data drives the material modelling process, creating zones of varying stiffness to support the rider's anatomy. The use of material jetting 3D printing allows for precise control of flexible and rigid photopolymers, resulting in a saddle tailored to each cyclist's unique needs.

Competitions
Global Creative Graduate Showcase 2024

Global Creative Graduate Showcase 2024