Computational Design for Digital and Robotic Fabrication
This seminar introduces students to computational design strategies for digital and robotic fabrication, focusing on the software aspects that drive these processes. As architectural designs become increasingly complex, the ability to translate intricate digital models into buildable forms through precise toolpath development and simulation is crucial. Robotic fabrication technologies play a pivotal role in this process by enabling the creation of detailed, case specific forms that would be challenging or costly to materialise with traditional methods.
Through a series of lectures and exercises, students will learn the end-to-end process from conceptual design to the generation of fabrication files for robotic systems and CNC machines, using Rhino and Grasshopper for geometry processing, toolpath development, and process simulation
The seminar develops into the following 5 modules:
Each module comprises an introduction to the fabrication technology, analysis of case studies, hands-on exercise tutorials, and a group assignment.
Learning Objectives
At course completion the student will:
Advanced toolpath design for FDM process Students will design and simulate a toolpath for a small object intended for interior or product design. The focus is on exploring creative toolpath strategies, especially non-planar slicing, where the toolpath height changes across the object. Students must design a non-planar path and use attractors to locally deform the … Read more
Introduction This project orients around robotic drawing system that uses a brush to create adaptive visual results. It focuses on turning basic painting actions; such as dipping, stroking, and rotating—into clear, programmable steps. By combining digital design tools with robotic movement, the work explores how changes in brush angle, paint material, and surface conditions shape … Read more
Building on our previous analysis of a large clay-printed geometric form, this study evaluates the feasibility of its digital-fabrication workflow. Through modular breakdown, material and time estimation, non-planar slicing analysis, and production-logistics modeling, we assess whether the system can be manufactured efficiently and economically. The process concludes with the development of a complete production plan … Read more
The project involves a large geometric form designed for clay 3D printing, consisting of 6 identical sections. This article will present the results of our analyses that explore the technical challenges and opportunities of this geometric design during the clay fabrication process. The workflow begins by rationalizing the pavilion structure into 6 symmetrical parts, isolating … Read more
