HOME MADE 3D SCANNER

This home made 3D scanner uses a webcam, a laser line, a calibration backdrop and DAVID laserscanner software to create accurate and detailed 3D scans. The system must be calibrated first with no model present. Once this has been done the model can be placed in front of the backdrop and the laser line passed over its surface. The camera is able to read the distortions of the laser line as it passes over the surface and DAVID converts this information into a 3D mesh. Multiple scans can be made from different angles, which are then automatically aligned and fused by DAVID. Meshes can be exported in multiple formats, in this case as .obj for further editing in Rhino and rendering with VRay.

Shape to Fabrication Team 2

Shape to Fabrication was a week-long workshop  based on contemporary digital fabrication and generative design techniques. It was divided into four individual teams building different parts of a pavilion which will  be exhibited London South Bank University between 21-27th of November.

As I was part of team 2, the cantaliver team under the command of Rupert Maleczek (KOGE, Innsbruck) Sam Joyce / Al Fisher (Buro Happold) we aimed to use re-Claimed sheet materials. So with the support of SMART (Rhino plugin) we have done some form exercises and using cardboard corrugated sheets, we shaped the 1:1 scale structure. Also,  two testing models scale 1:4 were produced to test the strength of the structure and possible solutions

It was an interesting experience to complete a design under the pressure of for days using generative techniques. The direct collaboration of the four teams was really direct as there was structure interference.

The exhibition is an opportunity to view the output from the four workshops so please come. For further information see: http://www.shapetofabrication.com/exhibition

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Robotics lab at Sci-Arc, Robots in Architecture and Robofold

Robotic arms, like many other digital fabrication tools,  are getting increasingly accessible but these ones have more potential than the others (3D printing, laser-cutting, CNC..etc) as it can do all of it and more. It can cut, print in 3D or even fold!

Below are couple examples of Robots being use to fold, print or fabricate components which could be used as building block.

First, lets start with London, ROBOFOLD offers workshops, and rents out their large 6 axis Robotic Arms which are mainly use for Folding Metal sheets.

Above: Robofold at 100% Design 

Above: Connection between the Grasshopper Interface and the Robots through Lobster

In Sci-Arc’s Robotics Lab   Zachary Schoch used robots to spread threads around a frame which he later removes to leave the amazing structures shown below.

Above: Video of Zachary Schoch’s Masters Thesis at Sci-Arc

In Vienna,  Robots in Architecture is an association set up by Johannes Braumann and Sigrid Brell-Cokcan which owork with a KUKA KR 5 SIXX R650 Robotic Arm to draw or punch holes. They also use Grasshopper but with the KUKA plugin. Below are couple images shown on their website:

Above: The Kuka Grasshopper GUI

Above: Sigfrid and Johannes with the Kuka Robotic Arm

Above: Video of Robot in Architecture’s Workshop at the Design Modelling Symposium 2011, Berlin.