T_CODE 2013
Computer Based Fabrication
Exercise 2: 3D Topological Interlocking Fabrication
The unit consists of three parts:
The second exercise is a continuation of the previous one, so that through this experience the goal is to get to know Grasshopper parametric design software and also 3D printing. As in the previous search process here the challenge was to produce a threedimensional unit which will be printed as already part of a complete system and not as individual units. Three-dimensional printing of such system is one example for a new possibility that did not exist previously in production.
Frame - the main object, can hold different types of materials. Male component - initiates a connection to adjacent units. Female component - a track that enables the unit to move or lock. Each unit is connected to two adjacent units and feeds two adjacent units on the other side. The goal was to create a structure that can also take on varying qualities of tiles of different materials, alongside the possibility of the entire system to open and lock without having to tearing down the entire structure. The difficulty arises when there is a variation of the pieces apart and then the track should vary according to how the framework so that all parts will contain each other. Another disadvantage of the system is that when it is closed is a very large volume and not useful. These led me to make a new unit that knows how to change the configuration of different modes other than ‘storage and display’.
Drawers Structure The first attempt to design the system derived from thinking about the qualities of the internal locking typology. Including: disassembly and quick change capability and scale modes.
Drawers - sections and 3D view
Elroi Nissim
The system closed and opened
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T_CODE 2013
Computer Based Fabrication
Chain Structure Second design attemp began with the idea of creating a number of useful operating modes alongside with the search for more integral form, that is not male, female and frame but a unit which does it all in a more homogeneous. Another guiding principle was the need to preserve the flexibility of the frame to get different materials and thus can produce different types of tiles without significant change in the skeleton unit. The Unit is a skeleton of a cube and an internal skeleton of a ‘Hole’ , which contain additional blocks. The adjacent units connected by 8 vertices of the cube. The ‘Hole’ contains 8 skeletons of its kind and the ability to fix and loose the construction of the entire system. Conecction between units
Connection between units creates a cage-like structure, and the advantage is that this structure can produce rooms and even entire building in such assembly. But of course this scale today is still not popular in a three-dimensional printing both cause technology and economic reasons.
Chain - ‘Hole’, Frame & mix
In this structure all the parts depend on each other and supported each other except when in ‘lock’ mode where there is no movement of the parts. Structure can be used as a dynamica wall which can change it’s shape or loose and lock modes. Also it could be a cover for various objects through its ability to adapt shape without falling apart.
Cage structure
Elroi Nissim
2
T_CODE 2013
Computer Based Fabrication
Second system & Unit abstraction
The second system has the same basics but the chain unit was simplified in order to ease and reduce the price of the 3D printing process. in this system there is only a ‘Hole’ component in full configuration structure. But the main principle remains - the dynamic characteristics of the system still exist. All that remains is to examine the dimensions of the hole in its structure and material to produce a system that can produce scale of situations.
3D Original System
3D Systems
Conclusions
The next step was to achieve a structure of 3D mass rather then a shell layer. A curved surface was created and divided in a way which every division was occupied with one unit and it’s adjacent units.
The main disadvantages of the system are a very complex maintenance - single or multiple units in case of wear out and tear is very hard to repair. Also the production process requires resources that are still very expensive in order to print a full size building. Another problem is the production scale can be very suitable for relatively small building products since each system should be printed as a single unit. Thus it is possible that the scale is a crucial parameter when this type of system designed for production.
Grasshopper - paneling definition
Elroi Nissim
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