computer-controlled cutting
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lecture / slide:
Fabacademy 2015 02.11D Lesson03: Computer-Controlled Cutting
MIT CBA Computer-Controlled Cutting
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topics:
tools, CAM, vinylcutter, lasercutter
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assignment:
design and make a press-fit construction kit!
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experimentation:
Before constructing any extruding machine I was investigating alternative fabrication techniques as for example lasercutting and the use of thin cardboard in order to create the first seedbombs. To realize geometry with the above mentioned tools I was looking to Euclidean geometry, solid geometry and polyhedra: Platonic solids and Archimedean solids, generating polyhedra in TopMod. Using a further workflow in Rhinoceros 3D and Pepakura Designer (a commercial software that generates unfolded patterns from 3D data):
I was unhappy with the idea of using glue in order to merge faces and thanks to the help of my great mentor Ferdi I found an extension script from Jonathan Manton that unfolds geometry directly in Inkscape. Generated unfolding patterns of polyhedra with tabs and slots:
Closer looks to the pattern of the small rhombicosidodecahedron (say it again!). The python script adds the tabs automatically. In case of thicker material: just hack the code and adapt!
Our lasercutter that I used for initial test samples to understand device settings and material properties:
Once the files were cut, the pieces were assembled. I was concerned about the small scale but fortunately everything fit nicely:
First Fab // Seedbomb enclosure finished with the idea of a spraying template to give advice to the urban warrior:
An array of the initial testing round with different polyhedra:
Due to assemby time and precision effort I decided to go for two shapes: the truncated tetrahedron and the cuboctahedron and engrave text instead of spraying it onto the surface. The diameter varies from three to six cm. The new lasercutting layout in Rhinoceros3D:
The Final sheet has engraved labels:
Mixing up a first mix of seeds, soil and hummus (yes they flowered later on!):
Filling the enclosure with the mixture:
Fab // Seedbombs:
The first Fab//Seedbombs family ready to be thrown:
First bombing outside Green Fab Lab Valldaura:
Some weeks later I came back to the bucket I prepared my little mixture inside and see what happened:
Now let's see how this little buddy will evolve once the cardboards starts decaying:
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files:
Files wlzr Fab Academy '15 // w03
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bookmarks / links:
Wikipedia Guerilla Gardening
Instructables How to Make a Seed Bomb
Math is Fun Platonic Solids
Wolfram MathWorld Archimedean Solid
Pepakura Designer Software
Wolfram MathWorld Polyhedron
Jonathan Manton Inkscape extension for polyhedra nets
Wikipedia Laser cutting
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review:
Fabacademy 2015 02.18B Review03: Computer-Controlled Cutting
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..beam me up!