LINES OF FABRICATION
THESIS : O. KHAN, A. LECUYER, M. SHEPARD STUDENT : N. CORNMAN
Define points
Define curves
Fabrication lines
Create 2 surfaces in opposing directions
Divide lines according to desired clarity
Create division Create tool paths each surface points on each and extract every start curve other opposing line
Establish “material surface” and apply division points to the surface to measure depth
Break fabrication lines into segments
Extract start and end points of the lines
Cross-link start and end points to create “stepovers” between lines
Extract start and end points of the new line segments and measure depth
Join curves and “bake” for fabrication lines
Apply a color according to depth
Fabricate
“Bake” lines for drawing graphic
Lines of Fabrication explores the way that CNC technology can change the approach to drawing in the field of architecture. Typically, drawings serve as graphic representations of a design. A fabricator who may subjectively revise and alter them in order to produce the intended result then interprets these representations. By using this method of fabrication, the architect surrenders a certain level of control of the project because of the way information is translated through representational language. CNC technology enables the architect to advance beyond this method through the development of new languages and processes of fabrication. With the ability to process information, CNC machines return the control to the architect throughout the process of fabrication. Data and information can be directly transmitted from design drawings to fabrication through the actual lines of the drawing itself. By understanding the language of the CNC machine and the drawing software, it becomes possible to produce drawings in a specific way that directly inform the fabricator of what is to be fabricated and how it is to be fabricated. Through the use of the Grasshopper plug-in for Rhinoceros, this project examines the information that can be contained within a drawing ranging from simple XYZ coordinates to the way that points, lines, and planes are interrelated within the drawing. It also explores how a CNC router can read the data from the lines of a drawing and ultimately how the lines can be drawn in specific ways to contain information that will control how the machine will fabricate a proposed design. 108 : THESIS : O. KHAN, A. LECUYER, M. SHEPARD
Control points
Control curves
Surface division
Fabrication lines (tool path)
Rendered fabrication lines
Lines of Fabrication was exhibited at the Center for Architecture Annual Architecture Schools Exhihibition in September of 2010 before being presented and exhibited as a part of the INPUT_OUTPUT Symposium at the Tyler School of Art at Temple University. In October 2010, Lines of Fabrication was exhibited in the ACADIA annual design conference in New York City. STUDENT : N. CORNMAN : 109