Architecture for Fingers by Oğul Öztunç

A Complete Encyclopedia of Finger Architecture Oğul Öztunç 2017

prologue This partial piece of information is prepared in Hypertext Format in order to contribute to encyclopedia of Digital Prototyping Methods Class held by ITU Architecture Faculty and tutored by Sema Alaçam and Ethem Gürer in 2016/2017 Winter Semester. Information stated here directly adresses the background framework of the 'Architecture for Fingers' project prepared by Oğul Can Öztunç. Information is organised in seperate items that links to each other and categorised in related categories. Consequtively; The Tool, Mode & Modality of Experience, Material, Form, Parameters, Concept and Method.

What is Architecture for Fingers ?

We are not supposed to use our hands and fingers for producing things anymore. From now on hands will be the kings and fingers will be their buffoons. They will only be used for clicking and tapping. But wait. All this clicking is endless, exhausting and depressing, isnt it ? Well yeah, but still machines will do all the work. Then maybe, we can invent 'architecture for fingers'. The pleasurable space for hands, to rehabilitate the depressed and exhausted fingers because of all that clicking. Where they can enjoy the delights of experiencing architecture, get relaxed and then move on with all the clicking again. A little bit distraction is good for the fingers, while machines will be doing all the work.

Architecture for Fingers Asks : 1

Can a phenomenological definition of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Architecture for Fingersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; be achieved by articulation of surface forms and textures How can we design a finger labyrinth using the computational design environment How can this architectural experience of fingers be produced, using wood as material and method of subtraction based CNC Carving

the tool

cnc CNC, a.k.a. Computer Numeric Control is a term that stands for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;computerized control of manufacturing machinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Common definition of CNC is; using a computer aided program, generally reffered to as CAM, that creates a spesific code for presicely controlling how CNC Machines behave.

cnc machines There are many types of CNC Machines developed through the end of 20th century and the field continues to develop with improving technology. Before the direct usage of computers there were experiments with numerically control of production. The first machines that are numerically controlled were developed in 1940's and 50's and were basic tools that are modified with servo motor mechanisms that are controlled by punched tape information system. With the development of data interaction between computer and machine tools, CNC arrived. Any mechanisms using computer generated codes to control production machines can be regarded as a CNC machine and there are many kinds of machine types that are based on computer numerical control. In this encyclopedia CNC Router will be explained through its usage as a tool to contribute 'Architecture for Fingers' project.

figure 01 Cnc Router is the most commonly used Cnc Machine.

cnc router

Computer Numerical Control Router is a computed milling machine generally used for cutting or shaping blocks of materials with varying methods. Many materials can be shaped with CNC Routers, most commonly used materials are; wood and wood based composites, aluminium, steel, plastics based materials, and foams. A CNC router can be used to produce many items, such as architectural elements, carvings, decorations, wood panels, frames, moldings, instruments, furniture, and so on. General parts of CNC routers are: controller device to manually control and communicate with the router, spindle motors that rotates cutting bits, servo motors that moves the spindle, a workspace bed. CNC routers are generally available in 3-axis and 5-axis CNC formats. 3 Axis CNC Router MultiCam 1000 will be explained here through its usage in the project.

cam Computer aided manufacturing is the usage of computer software to control manufacturing process by code based manipulation of machine tools. Generally, CAM software takes the digital model generated by CAD software as an input and arranges it in order of designated manufacturing tools parameters. After spesific CNC Milling operations are decided, software optimizes how the machine will act to complete the production and creates toolpaths. Then, converts those toolpaths in a coding language that machine will understand, Gcode. Most CAM Softwares has an embedded simulation program in order for the machine and its parameters to be tried in digital environment beforehand the actual production. There are varying CAM Software used for CNC Routers, developed consequently with the evolution of the computer and router machine's technology. The software, Visual Mill will be explained in this encyclopedia through its usage in the project.

cnc milling CNC Milling stands for a method of subtraction from a material, using a milling bit (cutter) and cnc router. Cnc Milling is most commonly used for cutting or engraving a stock material. The cutting and substraction operation happens due to the turning of the milling bit. The milling is controlled by the Gcode, the language that transacts the Cnc router how to act. There are many types of Cnc Milling operations, used for different stages of cutting the stock material, for different surface effects to be obtained or for different methods of moving the milling bit depending on geometry to be achived. Cam softwares comes with their own set of toolpath creation methods.

gcode GCode is the most commonly used coding language for communicating with Cnc Machines. Gcode is fairly simple because it mainly consists of the XYZ Coordinates that the machine will go in order to complete the toolpath, and basic information of operation like spindle speed / rpm, move speed, stock size and origin point.

toolpath Toolpath is basically a path that the milling bit will follow in order to do the cutting job. Toolpath is created by the Cam Software. Depending on the type of operation and end result wanted to be achieved, toolpaths can be created with different strategies. Mostly horinzontal roughing strategy is used for roughly cleaning the stock and parallel finishing strategy is used for precisely ending the surface. There are ofcourse many types of varying strategies. Cutting paths may go from outside or inside the geometry. 3 Axis paths may go in several z heights in the same time, or contour by contour to sculpt the geometry. Generally, different milling bits are used for different types of toolpaths and strategies.

milling bits / cutters

Milling Bits, or as sometimes reffered to as Cutters, are the main component used in Cnc Routers for milling operations. Milling bit can be taken as finger of the Cnc machine and in this project it is used as an analogy of fingers that are wandering on topographies. Milling bits are holded by a part called collett that connects the bit to spindle. Anatomically all milling bits are comprised of flutes, shoulder and shank. The dimensions, counts and shapes of those parts are the main parameters of that bit that defines its milling type and its effect how the interaction with stock material will happen. Some other parameters are tool diameter, holder diameter, holder lenght and the material that the bit is made of. Milling bit enters the workpiece rotating in a spesific spindle speed and moving in XYZ coordinates. Flutes of the tool cuts the material by rotating and shaves of chips away with their helix shape. There is many types of milling bits for different types of cutting and engraving. Those types usually finish the surface differently. The ball nose type mill and its effects will be explained in this encyclopedia through their usage in the project.

figure 02 flat, bullnose and v carve milling bit types

collett The collett is the part of the Cnc Router that holds the milling bit and connects to the spindle. Collets vary in size and shape depending on different kinds of milling bits.

spindle speed / rpm Spindle speed is the rotation speed of the spindle motor. It is measured in rpm (rotation per minute). Different rpm rates are used for different milling operations and for different materials. For cutting and engraving wood in this project 18000 rpm is used. There must be a correlation with spindle speed and move speed to obtain an optimized toolpath setting for saving time and protecting the end mill.

move speed Move speed is the acceleration speed of the spindle in XYZ coordinates by servo motors in the CNC Router. There must be a correlation with spindle speed and move speed to obtain a optimized toolpath setting for time saving and protecting the end mill.

coordinates / xyz A 3 Axis Cnc Router works on the Cartesian coordinate system (X, Y, Z) in operation. The movements of the spindle is commanded by Gcode that is given to the machine. The movement force of the spindle is the servo motors dedicated to those axes.

origin / '0' Point In both Cam Software and in the machine 0 coordinates of all axes must be defined before starting the operation. Taking that point as Origin point, machine will follow the exact toolpath taking the 0 point as refference.

multicam 1000

Multicam 1000 is a multi purpose 3 axis cnc router that can be used for milling wood, soft materials like foam and soft metals like aluminum. Widht of the machine is 180 cm and the lenght is 390 cm.

ball nose cutter The Ball Nose cutter is a milling bit that is generally used for surface finishings and precise cuttings. The end of the cutters are hemisphercal, resulting the bit having many tooth in the tip of the mill that easily cuts the surface in topographical z coordinate toolpaths. They are ideal for milling 3 dimensional contoured shapes. In this project an 6mm (tool diameter) ball nose cutter with one flute is used for horizontal roughing and parallel finishing operations. F

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D C B

figure 03 typical shape of a ball nose bit and spesific dimensions of the one that is used for the project. A. Tool Diameter: 6mm B. Flute Length: 23mm C. Shoulder Lenght: 30mm D. Tool Lenght: 35mm E. Holder Lenght: 20mm F. Holder Diameter: 35mm G. Shank Diameter: 6mm other spesifics: Flute number: 1 Material: Hss

visual cam

VisualCam is a Cam software developed by Mecsoft company. The software has a farely basic interface where users load their 3d model and prepare it for cnc manufacturing. There are various tools to create toolpaths needed and a simulation module for trying out the milling process beforehand the actual operation.

horizontal roughing Horizontal roughing is a toolpath strategy that is generally used for fastly cleaning a vast area of the stock material as the first step of milling process. Its mark is a farely rough surface that is resulted because of a very fast movement of the bit in the process. The horizontal expression is coming from the toolpath strategy of the method, that is dividing the geometry in horizontal planes and removing the material plane by plane consequently. The most important parameters of this method are the stepover % of the tool in height and other axes.

parallel finishing Parallel finishing is a toolpath strategy that is generally used for finishing the surface by parallel movements of the milling bit in an angle. Opposing to horizontal roughing, parallel finishing moves the bit in vertical directions but in the same constraint. In this project, 45 degrees angular moving of bit is experimented. The mark of the parallel finishing in surface is small parallel textures in the shape of the milling bits tip. Most important parameter of this method is stepover % of the tool diameter.

mode and modality of experience

finger

Finger is the tip of the hand, a vital instrument used for everyday activities by many species since its evolution of hand as an organ. Humans use their fingers to hold, make tools, use tools, touch things, touch each other, experience tactility, to shape things and for many other operations. In this project it is argued that there is a correlation between the fingers and milling bits of cnc machinery. It can be stated as, fingers are the operation tools of humans as machines. Due to the changing paradigm of the production methods as the mainstream manufacturing is now being replaced by computer controlled production machinery, the project proposes to present an architecturally joyful structure for fingers to relax and relief from all the clicking they need to make in order to complete cad and cam related jobs or all the keyboard tapping cause of writing an encyclopedia about those jobs. Fingers, like milling bits have spesific finger anatomy and finger conciousness that can be obtained by varying methods.

figure 04 finger and milling bits

finger anatomy

There is 20 fingers in regular humans, 5 sets placed in both hands and feets. There is joints in fingers that helps them move in endless number of axes and move relating to each other. Fingers are controlled by nerves that are connected to many parts of the brain working collaboratively to use fingers precisely with transacted electrycal signals. Altough there are standart measurements of male and female human hands, dimensions of parts and joints vary between fingers to fingers. Texture of finger skin has an authentic pattern special to the person, also referred to as fingerprint. In this project the anatomical properties of the finger are taken into consideration to create Architecture for Fingers. I G E D B A

figure 05 hand measurement standarts based on the authors hand. A. 2/4 cm B. 10/12 cm C. 3,5/5 cm D. 2,5/4 cm E. 2/4 cm F. 6/9 cm G. 1,5/3cm H. 7/10 cm I. 1,5/3 cm

finger conciousness

Fingers are a very specialized part of the body, usually related with tactile experiences. Tactility can be explained as a way of knowing or understanding the phenomena, using electrical signals created by brain and the sensor like nerve cells in foreskin. The nerve cells beneath the foreskin of fingers help to experience different textures and properties of surfaces while touching. Other way of experiencing tactiliy is dragging the finger on surfaces where friction of textures plays the leading role. The surface must be touched in order to experience it, and fingers also can apply pressure with muscle power to surfaces. Another aspect of finger conciousness for this project is, its comparison with normal human conciousness while experiencing architecture. For humans the experience is usually visual based, as standing in a space and looking at it. But fingers there is no visual perception, but the perception of touching is stronger then anything else. Because fingers are moved in three dimension by hand, theye are not restricted by gravity, but architecture for fingers bounds the finger to the space by restricting its power to elevate from surface. For humans the most important part of architecture to consider is its elevation, again because of the nature of visual perception and because they stand up in the space, but for fingers the most important feature is ground, which they all of the time touch and perceive.

material

plywood

Plywood is a type of wood material that consists of wood layers composited together with a bonding element in between each layer. Each layer of wood surface in plywood is oriented in opposite direction in comparison to upper and lower layer, thus a stronger structure is achieved because of the different oriented strenghst of the fiber direction in wood. Because of the stacking of different wood layers in different direction, the section of the plywood is motley related to each layers colour. This property of plywood causes it to be multicoloured when engraved and layers beneath the top surface is made visible by topography of geometry. One of the downsides of using plywood in this kind of project is because of the bonding elements type, sometimes the colour revealed by cutting is very dark and even not wood considering the level of the cut if it reveals the bonding layer. Another downside is because the layers of wood are very thin, the fibers are sometimes very week in this thin dimension, so it sometimes breaks or separates while cutting.

figure 06 plywood patent drawing Image obtained from US Patent Office

form

architectural geometry

Architecture and Geometry are very related fields considering architecture is a physical production that benefits the rules and equations of geometry. Architecture also uses geometry in aesthetical or imagery qualities of space or structures in order to create interesting structures like pyramids. With the development of Cad technologies it became easier for architects to experiment with building geometry, expanding the thresholds of non euclidean geometry, like non standart surface topography and amorph form languages. In defining architecture for fingers, the project benefited from the non standart surface for creating an interesting experience of tactility for fingers.

non standart surface Non Standart Surface is a formal term that may be used for topographical qualities of a surface that exceeds the standart geometrical definitions. With the development of CAM there is two main opportunities that is provided for architects, one of them being the ability to perform a high precision type production, the other is being able to construct otherwise impossible or incalculatable forms depending on their non euclidean geometry. In this project, as cnc milling is used, architecture for fingers experimented with non standart surfaces to expand the experience of finger. As finger perceives the architecture by moving on the ground, varying surfaces and textures tried to be achieved by using cnc routers capabilities and experimenting with outcomes of different toolpaths and milling bits. For example a 45 degree parallel finishing with %50 stepover creates miniature marks of milling bit in parallel direction, thus creating kind of a friction between finger and the surface.

non euclidean geometry

Non Euclidean Geometry can basically be defined as geometry that very hardly or cant be explained by the metric requirements of euclidean geometry equations. Computation by its nature of rescuing humans from calculation operations, relaxed the bounds of basic geometry, making loads of calculations in a very small time. Computer aided manufacturing made also producing this kind of geometry, attracting many architecs to experiment with designing and building non standart surface forms

cad Cad stands for computer aided design, a term basically defined as designing three dimensional geometry with the help of computing. Cad designs may be refferred as 3d models. There is many softwares with different capabilities that are dedicated to 3d modelling. Cad can be used to create, modify or optimize a design in digital environment and can also collaboratively used with Cam Software to manufacture the design with cnc machines. For this project the software Rhinoceros 3D is used.

rhinoceros 3d Rhinoceros 3D is a Cad application software developed by Robert Mcneel & Associates which is founded in 1980. NURBS mathematical model, which focuses on producing mathematically precise representation of curves and freeform surfaces in computer graphics. A spesific modelling tool in rhino, Heightfield Modelling, is used in this project while creating three dimensional geometry of the design.

heightfield modelling

A heigtfield, or a heightmap is a pixel based image that stores grayscale values (black representing the minimum and white representing the maximum height) in its bits that can be measured and transformed to elevational information. Heightfield modelling is a method for using this information to create three dimensional geometry. The presicion and measuring parameters may be changed in order to achieve desired results. In Rhinoceros 3D, The Heightfield command creates a NURBS surface or mesh based on grayscale values of the colors in an image file. In this project, firstly grayscale images of each compartment of experience is developed using an image manipulation software, then loaded to Rhinoceros for using Heightfied Modelling. The maximum height given is 30 milimeters which is the thickness of the stock material.

figure 07 Base image used for heightfield modelling. Only the internal parts of the texture is used.

parameters

experiences of fingers

The design related parameter set for this project was different experiences of fingers. Nine designs of different compartements are developed in order to consequtively make the finger experience those different 'finger architectures' while moving in the labyrinth. Basically there is three parameters, the movement of the fingers (varying on the labyrinth), forms of the topography (varying on non standart surfaces) and the texture of the finish (varying on different milling bits and toolpaths).

material The stock material used in the project is also a parameter. In this case a 30mm poplar tree plywood. It can be considered that in other phases of the experiment, varying material types like soft metals or foam based materials may be used in order to enlarge the material parameters effect on experience.

tool parameters The tool parameter of the project is mainly based on milling bit and toolpath. Each when changed produces different kinds of textures on the surface finish. The 45 degree parallel finishing method with 6mm ball nose milling bit is experimented in the first product. It can be also considered that the liquid finishing of the surface may also be varied. In this case baby oil is sprayed on the surface after a very short process on sanding.

concept

labyrinth

Labyrinth is a form of architectural space that encapsulates its experiencer into a disoriented movement routine which can be interpretted by the visitor. Labyrinths are very much rooted in ancient culture having many purposes in time. Its meaning is expressed in both consciousi like architecture, and unconscious levels, like memory and experience. Bernard Tschumi appropriates the figure of labyrinth to explain that it concentrates on the senses, on the experience of space, as well as the relationship between space and practice; the morphological opposite is the pyramid, with its shape variations implies the dematerialization of architecture. Manfredo Tafuri, in 'The Sphere and the Labyrinth' says that "One can exit from labyrinth only by agreeing to "sullying oneself" without restraint; the anxiety of purity is completely dissipated in them." In Architecture for Fingers, the image of labyrinth is used as a creator of consequtive space, where the finger will relieve itself to the experience of tactical qualities while dragged on the surface of the architecture. The visitor is supposed to close his/her eyes and left his hand alone in the labyrinth. Archetypic labyrinthine spaces are lined up in a gridal organization and in each one a variant of form and labyrint archetype is experienced. divided pointy

trappy relaxed

enclosed valley

centered catastrophy

directional obstructed

dispersed nipple

centered extrusion

disfocused plateu

crossed contour

figure 08 Labyrinth variations and corresponding keywords.

method

subtraction

Subtraction is an operation that refers to act of removing objects or parts from a whole. By the nature of milling process subtraction is the only way of creating three dimensional geometry in cnc router, either by cutting or engraving. Altough it is the only option of milling based operations, there are many methods of subtracting pieces from a stock material. Cam softwares offers varying methods for subtraction strategies, depending on the milling bit, stock material type and geometry. Two of those methods are experimented in this project, being horizontal roughing and parallel finishing.

figure 09 topographical expression of surfaces of Architecture for Fingers. Drawing created using Rhinoceros 3D contouring operation.

production process photographs

figure 10 changing the milling bit before operation.

figure 11 preparing the stock material

figure 12 horizontal roughing operation.

figure 12 a small part of the plywood accidentially broke

figure 13 parallel finishing operation.

figure 14 basic sanding and oiling