The Software-I seminar introduces computational design strategies for robotic fabrication, focusing on the software aspects of these processes. The following exercises cover different manufacturing strategies that translate digital models into buildable forms through precise toolpath development and simulation. These include an end-to-end process from conceptual design to the generation of fabrication files for robotic systems, using Rhino and Grasshopper for geometry processing, toolpath development, and process simulation.
Design for Manufacturing of Interior Design Systems Enabled by Advanced Robotic Milling
This exercise comprises a substractive fabrication strategy for a robotic milled complex interior design system, ensuring it is buildable and manufacturable.
1. Interior design system
The chosen system is Grotto Sauna by Partisans. This sauna has an interior panelling of solid cedar wood blocks. These blocks have a visible face with an organic double-curvature surface, while the hidden sides are flat or single-curvature faces.
2. Segmentation strategy
For this case study the following module is chosen:
3. Stock material optimization
In this exercise only the finishing milling operation is covered
4. Material & tool setup
The stock is placed within the robot reaching area, elelevated on a base in order to not hitting the supporting the ground/table when milling the lowest parts of the stock.
The robot selected for this operation is a ABB IRB 6700-150/3.20 with a 20mm flat-end mill.
5. Toolpath strategy
One single back-and-forth longitudinal toolpath is determined, coming from the longest transversal line divided into the step-over distance, in this case a 75% of the 20mm tool diameter
6. Toolpath approaches
feed rate 3000 mm/min = 50 mm/s
spindle 10,000 RPM
7. Errors & warnings
Changing the TCP orientation can avoid errors.
8. Simulation
9. Feasibility analysis
Design for Manufacturing of 3D Printed Architectural Systems
During this Exercise we observed how the integration of additive manufacturing (LFAM), with computational design methods holds promise for the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector in order to promote a more sustainable development of our built environment. Based on a provided list of reference projects, the design of a 3D-printed complex architectural system for fabrication will be engineered. The task involves subdividing the chosen design into smaller modules or components, ensuring its buildability and manufacturability. The goal of the project was to evaluate the predefined structures, design an infill for clay 3D printing and create a toolpath for the robot.
1. Segmentation strategy
2. infills
3. components
4. analysis
5. simulation
