Digital + Physical
Digital Fabrication is a balance between the constraints of the physical world - economic, structural, temporal - and the possibilities afforded by computational 3D models. I have experience with building and maintaining additive 3D rapid prototyping systems such as the RepRap Mendel (building) and the Objet Alaris30 3D Printers (operating and maintaining). Using the Alaris30 printer, I began printing the parts for the OpenSource RepRap Mendel printer...
RepRap Mendel Digital Model
Accessing the OpenSource assembly files for the RepRap Mendel - the second generation of RepRap 3D Printers - I built all Rapid Prototyped Parts using the Objet Alaris30 Printer. Roughly 50% of the RepRap Mendel is printable, the rest is off-the-shelf hardware found at any hardware store: nuts, bolts, and threaded rods.
RepRap Mendel Physical Assembly
Building a 3D Printer is the best way to understand how additive Rapid Prototyping machines work.The RepRap Mendel's physical assembly is a combination of stepper-motors, 3D printed parts, electronics, and off-the-shelf hardware...nuts, bolts, and other fasteners. Many parts of the RepRap can be customized to suit the needs of the builder: extruder build-resolution, electronic controls, etc.
Subtractive Fabrication
All flat-cut parts for the RepRap Mendel - as well as other projects - were cut with the Epilog Helix Laser Cutter.
3D Modeling for 3D Printing
Translating the digital model to the physical world is not as simple as clicking print. Digital 3D Modeling for 3D Printing and Rapid Prototyping requires careful attention and organization with the aim of creating watertight Stereolithography (STL) files that are ammenable to additive manufacturing. I have extensive experience building such models, as well as preparing and repairing numerous 3D models for fabrication using Rhino and MagicsRP.
Xenakis' Reynolds House
In 2010, at the request of Professor Roger Reynolds of the University of California San Diego School of Music, I created a 3D digital model of Iannis Xenakis' unbuilt Reynold house (based upon drawings Xenakis completed before passing away). The entire house was modeled in Rhino and printed on the Objet Alaris30. Some assembly was required...
Xenakis House
The digital model was created in Rhino to be printed at 1:64 scale. Due to print bed size limitations, I broke the model up into about 12 discrete parts. Though not often highlighted, 3D printed parts rarely (if ever) come out of tray ready to present. Some amount of post-processing is always necessary; but the pre-processing – with regard to division into parts – is crucial.
Xenakis Model at MOCA LA
The model was on display at the Museum Of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, from November 6th, 2010 to February 4th, 2011 as part of the Iannis Xenakis: Composer, Architect, Visionary exhibition.
Rapid Prototyping for Architecture
3D Printing and Rapid Prototyping allows architects and designers to study shapes in physical form that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to realize with other means. Working with design teams to carry multiple design options during a competition requires careful planning and logistics to create final products that are as refined as hand-crafted models.
