Geometry Optimization
This paper describes the process of geometric optimization and introduces a design workflow of a structure that portrays fluid motion, composed of many small spheres. It presents several possible approaches on how to organize a complex wave form to optimi
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Geometry Optimization Realization of a fluid-form structure composed of spherical components, fabricated by means of computer software and robotic arms
Abstract This paper describes the process of geometric optimization and introduces a design workflow of a structure that portrays fluid motion, composed of many small spheres. It presents several possible approaches on how to organize a complex wave form to optimize its structure for robotic fabrication. The first method was based on a dynamic principle of self-organizing particles, using simulated magnetic attraction and repulsion. The second applied method used a growth algorithm to generate a structure which could be used as an uneven grid in which the original particles could be arranged. The third method, which universally negated the uneven arrangement of particles, was the arrangement of the particles into an even grid. This paper also deals with structural analysis and load-bearing capacity optimization of this structure. Keywords: geometric optimization, design to robotic fabrication, structural analysis S. Brell-Çokcan et al. (eds.), Rob | Arch 2012 © Springer-Verlag/Wien 2013
1 Introduction The fluid-form sculpture, described in this paper, titled Geometric Death Frequency – 141, was designed by Federico Díaz as a 2-year exhibition project for the MASS MoCA museum in Massachusetts. The sculpture consists of approximately 420 thousand spherical elements made from ABS plastic material, each being 4,7cm in diameter and weighing 9g. The entire structure is 10 meters long, 5,4 meters wide and 4 meters high. This project took a year to produce, including 3 months of robotic manufacture, and was then transported by boat to the U.S.A. where the sculpture was completed (Fig. 1). Our aim was to fabricate a complex wave form, simulated using the RealFlow programme [1]. During the project we considered and tested several ways of producing wave forms. First, we focused on the use of generated mesh geometry to formulate the surface of the wave. Then, we considered the particles that we would need to generate this wave. The author decided to try using spheres as “particles,” and, after an impressive visual simulation, we decided to pursue further development in that direction. The original arrangement of the particles from the simulation could not be used directly as the basis for production.
Distances between the particles were varied, so many spheres would intersect, and most would not connect to anything, levitating in space. Therefore it was necessary to develop geometry optimization to rearrange the original structure of the particles, enabling us to replace them with spheres so that each sphere would touch its neighbours at one point (Fig. 2). 2 Robotic Fabrication As we began planning fabrication with spherical components, a new question emerged - how to maintain accuracy in a structure consisting of this number of spheres. A similar case was solved in the construction of a brick wall, Bonwetsch (2007). A robotic arm was used in the construction to control the produ
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