impression, 2015

a hand press that makes custom pin-back buttons
materials and processes: walnut, woodworking, bronze, sand casting, brass, machining, purchased stainless steel forming dies and steel hardware

 
 

this homemade button press
was inspired by two of my roommates who made a leaf button for me earlier
in the year.  the purpose of impression is to spread joy by enabling people to craft
custom buttons and share with others.

i made the impression press at stanford university in the product realization lab for a design and manufacturing class.  the impression is a type of arbor press that uses purchased button-making dies to create personalized buttons.

 
 

Initial concept sketches and prototypes

H-frame body concept
linkage mechanism, spinning die plates prototype
industrial-style body concept
rough body and handle form prototype
classic, antique-style body concept
cam mechanism prototype
 

Technical sketches and calculations

 
cam handle mechanism visualization
calculating die displacement before and after handle press
shaft adapter for connecting die to plunger
 
 
cam handle design
 
 

SOLIDWORKS DRAWINGS

 
press assembly -- body and cam handle sand cast in bronze; adapter machined from brass; other components purchased)
press body post-machining drawing
cam handle casting pattern drawing
 
 

manufacturing

woodworking, sand casting, post-machining, finishing

pattern board created by sawing/sanding Renshape block
bottom half of sand mold completed
post-machining fixturing using strap clamps
body pattern mounted on pattern board with casting gate
top half of sand mold completed, with vents added
faced body datum surface, tapping hole for fastener
final sanding of the finished pattern board
cast bronze piece, freshly poured
in progress milling of clearance pocket
 
first button made on the button press!
ready to make more buttons!
 
 

Glamour shots

impression walnut base with leaf button
 
impression fully assembled
 
newly-created emileaf button
 

sharing the love

personalized button designs created for classmates and machine shop staff

 
 
custom button designs for PRL staff and loftees!
 
 
 

thanks to the shop TA's and my loftees for advice, encouragement, and inspiration throughout this project!