As a 3rd year student of Architecture, BEIL0014 Digital Making as a means of studying a relevant skill in relation to my course. Understanding the processes and skills required to shape and form metal will be helpful for making realistic models. The dependence on 3D printing technology hinders the prototype and model making within the current course. The value of shaping metal into the form by hand seems to be much higher than a laser cut model or 3D model.
1.
I tried using the shrink tool to create the edge of the curve in the tank top part, and then I find the shrink mark is obvious and difficult to modify. But in the former torus project, the shrink tool can create the shape of edges efficiently. The shrink tool in the workshop can be used for small radius curve, but if it used to shrink the small radius edge, the thin metal will be crack and fold in the later process. Before using it, I need to consider the size and shape of curve, and the properties of metal.
2.
After getting the rough shape by using the English wheel and pinching the metal, it became distorted and create the concave shape from the front to the other side. Using the English wheel to smooth this, taking care not to flatten the centre line of the sheet, keeping the deepest point of the sheet, And the English wheel perpendicular to the sheets centerline in order to help the profile curve while maintaining smoothness. However, the metal was smoothed after many times caused by English wheel, the top of the tank flattened and the curvature followed the side profile of the tank is lost. Apply pressure in a downwards motion for each end of the meta to help achieve the curve, and ensure to move the piece back and forth changing direction slightly each time.
The centre line was the highest in most traditional tank designs. The profile contour of the tank added another element of complexity to the shaping of the final form. The sheet flattened upon any smoothing attempts, this required a experience of 'torus' assignment in order to remove irregularities in curvature and symmetry. The experiences about Torus is invaluable in understanding the material properties and behaviour of metal.
3.
The piece was bent as a whole is easy but this method did not allow the piece to be bent to different angles by following the outside curve of the tank top. The method to match the curve is that shaping the edge down over a steel ball extruding from the workbench. Using the large end of the rubber mallet and strike the metal sheet against the small cast iron ball. It helps to create the completely smoothen and less shrinkage of the hard surface. And place the piece on the model after every few rolls, make sure create the right shape and keep referring to it.
After most work of tapered dolly and then use the curved dolly for the edge. The tapered dolly was used at the wider parts of the sheet although not excessively as it would also flatten the overall profile caricature. The curved dolly was used in areas that had less acute edge folds.
I think each process is important for the next work, have a prediction of the reaction of the metal to a given tool or action that is necessary for the final form. The excess in any process would have the negatively affect for the rest of the sheet. More times with less force is better than the random hammering invalidly.
4.
The process of shaping, the overworking the material would cause it to flatten, and the cyclic process for the intricate edge folding and concave processes caused the stump hammering and subsequent smoothening. The excess material should be enough for the pre-existing shape at the cutting location, the metal was cut away slightly and carefully using snips or a sheet cutter.
The hardest part of the fuel tank is to try to get each individual component together. I leaved 3 cm of extra material along the edge of all the panels. And I initially cut the extra material for simply pop riveted, it was a mistake that is not required to join the panels together for submission, if I use the extra material to fold a neat overlap between the joining sections, the link part will better.
I want to avoid the marks made on the metal by the planishing hammer, so I repeatedly tried to erase traces in the process. Polishing is useless until I finish 100% of my work, as I will change it over and over again before I determine the final shape. Multiple polishing allows me to see the imperfections more clearly as the light reflects, the small bumps and cracks more clearly. The thinning metal caused by repeated smoothing and polishing is irreversible, so a small amount of polish is enough after light test fitting and smoothing.
The wet sand the piece with large amount sandpaper is more useful, it can help that all blemishes in the metal removed and the overall piece is smooth, and methylated spirits are used to remove dust and debris of the sheet.
Metal always
used as a construction material or decoration in my past learning. Through this
course, I have learned some skills and techniques of metal. I will apply those
skill of metal to my future architectural design and model making. 
