Tampa

Employer: Paramedia

The Tampa project provided me with an opportunity to showcase my broad skill set. From the proposal stage to the last electrical breaker flip, I had to visualize every element of this project. For this project I developed several design possibilities with the artist and team to find the most affordable and aesthetic solution. I learned casting science and integrated it into the ring design so it could be manufactured to extremely low tolerance specifications. I coordinated with the electrical engineer and I sized and shaped the custom printed circuit led boards. I made the electrical calculations and communicated with the commercial electrical contractor to size the service to our electronics. I worked with the structural engineers to mount the rings safely and permanently in a high traffic area of downtown Tampa Bay.

A quick proof of concept was required at the final meeting with the city of Tampa, so I quickly made a easier to manufacture version to communicate what the perspective vision was for the project.
Sketches are essential for communicating design ideas, especially when co-workers come from different regions of the country and the world. Developing visual communication truly helped me grow and be able to surpass cultural differences.
Digital mock up to send to casting manufacturers.
Routing out prototype so assure a casting positive can be made to specifications.
It does!
Custom board had to be made to establish a seamless light pitch and blend. Electrical calculations in tandem with this design to ensure its feasibility.
LED board sample received from Chinese manufacturer based on my drawings and the electrical engineers specs.
Prototype works! Time to send it down.
overview of ring design
Several changes and modifications had to be made as I learned where head builds, how the casting process is done, and how to eliminate deformities in the cast.
The finished ring.
Mounting mechanisms had to also be conduit for the electrical wires of the ring.
Thumbs up!
First assembled.
Co-worker Tim Stover made a template for team in Tampa to drill precise holes for conduit to feed wire from the ring to the electronics on other side of wall.
Action shot of post machining the initial cast. 248 tiny holes to hold in the electronics and waterproofing acrylic.
Co-worker Gary Leung spindling wires in the rings.
Testing scissor lift capacity for installation.
Packed up.
Installation process.
Mounted ring.
Test sequence.
Erwin Redl admiring his art.
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Credits

Erwin Redl
Artist / Owner Paramedia LLC

Michael Kratochvil
Lead Technician / Design

Tim Stover
Shop Manager / Technician