Fab Academy 015 : Alexander Nikolas Walzer w03

computer-controlled cutting

lecture / slide:

Fabacademy 2015 02.11D Lesson03: Computer-Controlled Cutting MIT CBA Computer-Controlled Cutting

topics:

tools, CAM, vinylcutter, lasercutter

assignment:

design and make a press-fit construction kit!

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: