Computation for Fabrication

Digital fabrication is a production process that combines the use of digital tools (3D modeling or CAD) with CNC (computer numerical control) machines for additive and subtractive manufacturing processes allowing the automated control of machining tools by means of a computer. Digital Fabrication processes are integrated into the industry for decades but in the last years the introduction and wide spreading of new design techniques, such as computational and parametric design, and increased availability and affordability of new production means, such as CNC machines and 3D printers, led designers, architects, and engineers to rethink how their work and the subsequent production is conceived and organized.

Computational design triggered the mass customization of the production processes integrating into the design phase the opportunity and constraints of production means allowing to take finally full advantage of automation. That’s what we call Computational Fabrication; it involves aspects of computational design and coding and applying it into processes of production enabling mass customized fabrication.

The workshop will focus on understanding the CNC machines’ features, their G-code and then developing different strategies in order to have a more seamless process from computational design tools to CNC machines (CNC milling, 3D printers, Laser Cutting machines, etc …) aiming to shorten the time spent going back and forth the two environments, add more control, and customize the fabrication processes.

Proficiency in Grasshopper and Basic understanding of Digital Fabrication techniques is required.

• Understanding CNC machines and code
• G-code syntax
• How to write G-code in GH3D
• Implementing seamless and customized strategies from the digital environment to digital fabrication tools
• Feedback processes
• Parameters control evaluation and checks

• Rhinoceros 7 (free versions available)
• Grasshopper Plugins: the full list of plugins to be installed will be provided one week before the workshop
• A second monitor is highly recommended

Proficiency in Grasshopper and Data-Tree + Basic understanding of Digital Fabrication techniques is required. (you can register to our  Digital Fabrication for Beginners workshop).

Each participant needs to work from their personal computer.

The principal software is Rhinoceros 7.0. The 90-day trial version can be downloaded from the website www.rhino3d.com/eval.html . Grasshopper 3D will be the main computational tool.

Windows 10 Operating System is highly recommended since many Grasshopper plugins still do not run on Apple IOS operating systems. If you have a Mac computer you could do a Windows 10 partition.