Let's Make Toast

I built a functioning prototype of the TST_003 toast mechanism (using the L12 linear servo) to integrate with the chassis and the robot shell. The photo below shows a comparison with its inspiration (the rear end is an Airstream trailer).









Now that I have something to take actual dimensions from, I can model the mid section of the robot shell for fabrication.

THR_33 Fabrication

CNC Milling the robot shell master patterns (Mastercam assistance provided by Zack Jacobsen-Weaver).


Milled robot shell pattern located in a 'pocket' to prevent the piece flying off the machine.


The robot shell patterns after milling - some trimming and assembly required.


The forms coated with plastic resin glue. These will be used as patterns or 'bucks' for vacuum forming.


The forms sanded and polished (2 days of rubbing) and ready to have hot plastic pulled over them.


Chris Johnson and Westley Burger with a test section of the tea-house skin.


Various options for the laser cut Acrylic connectors between the paper layers of the skin.


A test panel of the vertical, moving elements of the tea-house structure.

Research Through Making Exhibition

Taubman College Research Through Making Exhibition, January 15 – February 4, 2010, in the College Gallery.

TST_003 (project)

We have been working on TST_003 – our ToasterBot for the “Teahouse for Robots” exhibition (The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto, Japan. Friday, July 9 – Sunday, August 22, 2010). We have a working set of prototype electronics and we have a first draft chassis built as a proof of concept. The CAD models for the robot shell are about 80% done. Bosses, ribs, intake slots and mounting brackets are next. There also needs to be some branding on the side which is looking very blank at present. The front end of TST_003 is shamelessly ripped off from a Dualit toaster merged with an Airstream trailer on tank tracks.

A test render of TST_003

 Another test render of TST_003

Sensors and servos from Parallax, Chassis constructed with parts from Vex. CAD modeling in SolidWorks and Rhino. Renderings are real-time screen grab previews from PhotoView 360.

SmartSurfaces 1.0 Complete

The University of Michigan SmartSurfaces course is now complete. It was a collaborative, project-based learning experience in which undergraduate artists, designers, architects and engineers came together to build physical systems and structural surfaces that have the capability to adapt to information and environmental conditions.

The course was broken into two phases: an introductory / skill building phase, and the final project. For the first part of the course, participants focused on problem and constraint definition, structured brainstorming and skill building. Final teams were assigned in week six and the rest of the semester involved the production of the fully realized, funded projects shown below. Both phases focused on multidisciplinary, collaborative teams to carry out the assignments and projects. An important aspect of this course was the manner in which useful cross-fertilization emerged in the application of different disciplinary methodologies in response to concrete problems in practice.

Course participants had the opportunity to gain experience with using diverse tools and processes. Where possible, learning made use of practical problem solving through experimentation. All participants were challenged beyond their usual intellectual and disciplinary boundaries and had to negotiate and manage differences between the cultures of three university units (Art & Design, Architecture and Materials Science Engineering).

Each team was required to design, build, program and test a ‘heliotropic smartsurface’ that made use of:
• Solar energy harvesting
• Microcontroller programming (with Arduino) and circuit building
• Parametric modeling (with Digital Project)
• Digital fabrication

The teams had to consider and negotiate what makes a surface smart, and why we would be interested in a smart surface that follows the Sun. They had to engage a methodology of defining explicit relationships, complex behaviors, and unforeseen responses in a context of distributed authorship.

This is what they came up with:



The Shy Solar Array: An Adaptive Solar Array That Responds To Weather
Arrays of solar cells are vulnerable to their surroundings, do not maximize the sunlight-collecting surface area, and are unattractive. Inspired by the Mimosa Pudica plant and its tendency to shy away from external stimuli, our shy solar array was created. Our solar array protects itself from damaging elements such as snow or rain by flipping away from them. This will allow the solar array to be implemented in less than ideal weather locations, such as Michigan. Our solar array also maximizes the sun collecting surface area through its unique shape. The form of the array lends itself to a more efficient use of surface area by avoiding shadowing when the cell is rotated towards the sun. Also, the array stands out as a more desirable object that can serve as a stand-alone artifact as well as a useful solar array. Outside of the gallery this solar array would be implemented onto the rooftop of Michigan Engineering buildings as an alternative energy source. To further maximize the collected energy, the solar array should contain solar cells that are specially shaped to the design.

Team Fabric + Super J
Alyssa Ackerman – School of Art and Design
Johanna Brand – Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning
Yuming Jiang – Material Science and Engineering
Chris Johnson – Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning
Mat Schwartz - School of Art and Design
Michelle Svetkoff - Material Science and Engineering



The iWall Modular Light-Filtration System
The wall you see here is a modular, scalable, self-adjusting multi-aperture window, designed to optimize light flow into a room by manipulating the position of rotating wood panels. You could call it an 'automatic venetian blind', as that is the gist of the purpose. The system consists of 30 individual modules, with one panel per module, which allow a variable amount of light to pass through. The structural elements are built modularly, but circuitry elements - such as wiring - are set up in a non-modular fashion. Individual module apertures open and close in reaction to the intensity of the light that passes through the wall as detected by light-dependent resistors (LDRs), seen on the projection side, holding a relatively constant light level on the ‘interior’ of the wall at all times - this gives 'heliotropic' and 'smart' characteristics to the wall - 'surface', fitting it into the premise of the SmartSurfaces course. The actual actuation is by a grid of servos powered externally and controlled through inputs from an Arduino Mega and the LDRs. The materials used in the assembly of the individual modules were 3/16" cast acrylic cut by laser and 3/16" 6061 aluminum sheet cut by water jet.

Team iWall
Westley Josiah Burger - Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning
Peter Hall - School of Art and Design
Brieana MacDonald - Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning
Michael Mathieu - Material Science and Engineering
Taylor McKenzie-Veal - School of Art and Design
Neil Poulin - Material Science and Engineering



Simon
Simon is a heliotropic, feel-good machine. He interacts with a user through motion and LED color mixing and enters a default solar-tracking mode when not in use. Face recognition technology, a simple joint system, and a flexible LED array make possible a wide range of movement and interaction while photovoltaic panels provide the power. By fusing emotional connections with the user, we hope to transform the concept of sustainability from a condition of sacrifice to that of pleasure.

Team Softcore
Rachel Boswell - School of Art and Designn
Eric Harman - School of Art and Design
Marc Maxey - Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning
Lindsey May - Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning
Damien Stonick - Material Science and Engineering
Zilin Wang - Material Science and Engineering



Exposure
Rather than using solar cells to convert sunlight into electrical energy, we are concerned with using the power of the sun in a more direct way. Exposure is a biological, heliotropic lighting system powered by photosynthesis. Living inside the piece are several Dinoflagellates, Pyrocystis fusiformis, aka bioluminescent algae. The bioluminescence of the organisms are set to a biological clock quite similar to our sleep cycle. During 12 hours of daylight Pyrocystis use the available light to photosynthesize, producing their own food and oxygen. At sunset the cells produce the chemicals that cause the luminescent reaction. If agitated during their 12-hour dark cycle, the algae give off a glowing blue light. In Exposure we have harvested several bioluminescent algae organisms, and embedded them into an architectural array. Within the array, varying panel heights correspond to the density of algae organisms contained in each unit. Infrared sensors located below the panels detect human presence, and trigger a motor. Attached to the motors, a cam makes contact with the panels creating enough motion to agitate the algae and expose their bioluminescent glow.

Team Slime
Ivan Adelson - Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning
Aidan Feldman - Computer Science Engineering & Department of Dance
Isaac Krauss - School of Art and Design
Laura Ligeski - Material Science and Engineering
Allison Sturm - School of Art and Design
David Theisz - Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning

The course will be offered again in Fall 2010.

Shadow Pavilion (project)

"Shadow Pavilion is a temporary experimental installation by University of Michigan Taubman College professor Karl Daubmann in collaboration with John Marshall. The project is an extension from a graduate studio course. It utilizes computer-generated architectural forms inspired by organic models to design site-specific structures that maximize utility while minimizing material and waste. This botanical-inspired structure was designed for this overlook on the Sam Graham Trees Trail. It frames the vista for visitors while providing both shade and a visual destination that orients people to the view point."

"Construction was assisted by graduate students Ngoc Thy Phan and Alex Timmer with construction volunteers Craig Borum, Peggy Chong, Jen Maigret, Jessica Mattson, Katie Santer, Dwight Song and Alex Watanabe. This project was made possible by a Research-through-Making grant from Taubman College at the University of Michigan and the U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum."

http://www.lsa.umich.edu/mbg/happening/shadowpavilion.asp

Smartsurfaces

University of Michigan's Smartsurfaces course offers a collaborative, project-based learning experience in which artists, designers, architects and engineers come together to build physical systems and structural surfaces that have the capability to adapt to information and environmental conditions.

The course will operate as a multidisciplinary, hands-on think-tank where participants will pool their knowledge and skill sets to work together to produce environmentally sound and socially responsible projects. Public exhibition of these funded projects will provide an opportunity for participants to present their work to a wider audience and to review their achievements.

Projects will make use of the resources available to all participating university units, such as:

parametric modeling
digital fabrication
networked sensors
microcontroller programming
energy harvesting

The course begins September 11, 2009.

Shadow Pavilion (installed)

Major elements of the Shadow Pavilion completed (designed for a site at the University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Garden). Minor tweaking still required.

Shadow Pavilion (in progress)

The Shadow Pavilion explores the paradox of cutting holes in a structure because the removal of material makes a structure weaker but also lighter. The Shadow Pavilion, designed for a site at the University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Garden, is both a structure and a space made entirely of holes. The pavilion surface is made with almost 100 aluminum cones that vary in size. Beyond testing the limits of sheet aluminum, the cones will act to funnel light and sound to the interior space, offering visitors a space to take in the views and sounds of the surrounding landscape.

By Karl Daubmann & John Marshall. Assisted by: Ngoc Thy Phan & Alex Timmer

This project was made possible by a Research-through-Making grant from Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Michigan.

Still kicking...

I'm working on several projects this summer. Pictured above are some test models for a 30' interactive double curved surface with Karl Daubmann. We are also working on a project for Kyoto, Japan in 2010.

I will also be moderating a panel discussion at Siggraph in New Orleans that is an opportunity to hear a selection of practitioners participating in the BioLogic and Generative Fabrication exhibitions talk about how they have employed computation beyond an assistive role in their work and discuss how technology has influenced their approach to creative practice.

Busy.

Even More Et Dukkehjem

Still more work on the objects for 'Et Dukkehjem'. The picture above shows me sitting on ‘Torvald’ with ‘Nora’ and a prototype of ‘Krogstad’. Roger J. Berent and Kyle Hulewat - (Metropolitan Architecture Practice) are designing and making ‘Krogstad’. They have sent over some renderings of what they are thinking for him:

There are some holes in him that will function as holders for rolled-up information we will print up about the project. It would seem that IKEA-inspired projects are of the zeitgeist. Designboom just posted a DIY IKEA coffin by Joe Scanlan:

Scanlan is the artist to whom Alex Coles attributes the term 'DesignArt' to - so we know we are in good company.

Karl Daubmann and PLY Architecture are collaborating with us by designing ‘Mrs. Linde’ - she was supposed to be a lamp but it would seem that Karl has got carried away and has designed an illuminated surface that will be controlled through interaction with the furniture in the space:

Still many issues to resolve. We have found a candidate for ‘Dr. Rank’ - a rug. We still need to see if it will work with the electronics that will connect the furniture to the audience, each other and the Internet. This is what we are planning:

TORVALD, an armchair. When Torvald is sat on a webcam is activated and begins streaming images to the project website.

NORA, a rocking stool. When Nora is sat on and rocked lines from Ibsen’s play are uploaded from a database via Twitter to the project website. Nora also ‘twitters’ for the present audience by playing pre-recorded audio clips.

Mrs. LINDE, a lamp. Mrs. Linde changes from a warm to a cool light quality/color and back again in a timed sequence.

KROGSTAD, a table. Krogstad plays pre-recorded audio clips triggered by the audience and determined by the present state of Mrs. Linde.

Dr. RANK, a rug. Dr. Rank acts as a switch changing the state of the objects from passive to active (with an audio cue). The rug will be used to define the extents of the work and cover any trailing wires.

If anyone is interested in Henrik Ibsen's original play it is available at Project Gutenberg.

Rhinoceros just simply rocks!

When I set up my files recently to CNC rout the plywood profiles for my latest project I made the newbie error of drawing the outside diameter of the holes I needed drilled rather than the center points (it makes sense after the fact but was counter-intuitive for someone more used to RP than CNC). Anyway, after manually drawing all the center points I asked the good folks at McNeel if there was a simpler way to bulk insert these points. Pascal Golay just sent me this Rhinoscript:

'*****************************
'*****************************

Option Explicit
Call Main()
Sub Main()
Dim aCircles
aCircles = Rhino.GetObjects("Select circles",4,True,True)
If Not isArray(aCircles) Then Exit Sub
Dim sCircle,aPt
Rhino.EnableRedraw(False)
For Each sCircle In aCircles
If Rhino.IsCircle(sCircle) Then
aPt = Rhino.CircleCenterPoint(sCircle)Rhino.AddPoint aPt
End If
Next
Rhino.EnableRedraw(True)
End Sub

'*****************************
'*****************************

It works a charm. Since I've recently been working with Processing and Arduino - I actually sort of understand it, too. I was inspired to put in the effort to get over the inevitable learning curve with Rhinoscripting when I saw THEVERYMANY - this just makes it all the more so. For all those (like me) that are intimidated by code, I think this is a significant move:

Grasshopper™ - a graphical algorithm editor tightly integrated with Rhino’s 3-D modeling tools. Unlike RhinoScript, Grasshopper requires no knowledge of programming or scripting, but still allows designers to build form generators — from the simple to the awe-inspiring.

Et Dukkehjem

I have been working on a new rootoftwo piece ‘Et Dukkehjem’ (after Henrik Ibsen). Pictured here are designs for a rocking stool (Nora) and an armchair (Torvald). We have re-read Ibsen's play from the point of view of the user-object relations between the main characters and domestic objects. The image(s) above are my first (and second) test renders using the beta of Brazil r/s for Rhino.





[Update] - Cutting out Nora and Torvald. The material is half inch thick European Birch plywood (9 ply). The profiles were made in Rhino, nested with the Mosaix plug-in, and sent to Mastercam as IGES files. The parts were CNC routed (thanks Josh Bard) almost the entire way through the material and then manually separated from the sheet using a trim router and a laminate cutting bit - this was to prevent the smaller parts flying off and screwing anything up. The last image above is a dry fit after a light sanding.

THEVERYMANY

It was great to meet Marc Fornes and Skylar Tibbits at the CPATH workshop. They gave a great presentation. An interesting point that was made was the use of constraints not only in the physical setting for built structures but also in the code used to generate them. It was amusing to hear that one of the constraints for some projects was fitting the structure into a few suitcases.

After the workshop I visited Philadelphia University to see Tesselion : Adaptive Quadrilateral Flat Panelization - "... a project by Skylar Tibbits which proposes a system of flat panel tessellation derived from complex surfaces to enable ease in constructability and a directly evolved spatial environment through lighting, programmatic adaptation and structural simplicity. Each panel’s uniqueness is afforded by the efficiency of digital fabrication while coded parametric relationships allow an emergent structural efficiency, from a single panel to the complete adaptability of the surface as a whole."