![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/04/dzn_Growth-Modeling-Device-by-David-Bowen-4.jpg)
Growth Modeling Device by David Bowen
Designer David Bowen has created a machine that scans an onion and makes a model of it every 24 hours.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/04/dzn_Growth-Modeling-Device-by-David-Bowen-6.jpg)
Called Growth Modeling Device, the project is on show at Z33 in Hasselt, Belgium, as part of an exhibition called Design by Performance.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/04/dzn_Growth-Modeling-Device-by-David-Bowen-3.jpg)
The design uses lasers to scan the onion from one of three angles every 24 hours, then prints a model from liquid plastic using the data.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/04/dzn_Growth-Modeling-Device-by-David-Bowen-2.jpg)
The models are displayed on a conveyor belt, documenting the growth process.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/04/dzn_Growth-Modeling-Device-by-David-Bowen-1.jpg)
Also on show at Design by Performance: Debug by Edhv, where posters are printed according to the movement of insects.
![](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/04/dzn_Growth-Modeling-Device-by-David-Bowen-56.jpg)
Here's some more information from Bowen:
David Bowen, Growth Modeling Device
This system uses lasers to scan an onion plant from one of three angles. As the plant is scanned a fuse deposition modeler in real-time creates a plastic model based on the information collected. The device repeats this process every twenty-four hours scanning from a different angle. After a new model is produced the system advances a conveyor approximately 17 inches so the cycle can repeat. The result is a series of plastic models illustrating the growth of the plant from three different angles.
See also:
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