Sustainable Cities and Communities Platform

Objective: Project and design of a platform for prop animation

Purpose: Model displayed at the EDP Volunteers Award 2025 ceremony – Fundação LIGA

Process: Parametric 3D CAD design, rapid prototyping/digital fabrication using additive and subtractive manufacturing techniques (3D printing, laser cutting and CNC machining), electronics and microcontroller programming (ARDUINO, distance sensors, DC motors, servo motors and audio circuit).

Development: Modeling in Rhinoceros 3D; CNC machining of expanded PVC for the platform structure, 3D printing of scale models (mills, wind turbine, wave energy and boat movement) and programming in ARDUINO IDE.

FabLab EDP, together with Fundação LIGA, EDP volunteers and the curation of Mário Linhares, developed the “Cidades e Comunidades Sustentáveis” project that showcases renewable energies and the importance of the communities. The model has four stages to represent the elements: wind, water, sunlight and people. That stages have microcontrollers, sensors and motors to make animations of some structures: mill and wind generator, boats, wave energy generator, houses and a traditional market, the last one with sound animation.