3D printer Check-in (10 minutes)
Questions from prior class?
Printing with supports: Necessary for overhangs, but leads to increased printing time, deformed printing surfaces
Lab Hours for using printers in the lab: Mondays 1:30 PM -6 PM (Elings 2024)
Printer and material Pickup after class today (pickup spreadsheet). LEVEL your printer bed first when you get it home.
Reading Discussion on Digital Entanglements (25 minutes)
Pt 1- Reading Overview and Context- general questions about the reading? Clarification points? Things that surprised you?
Pt 2- Small Group Discussions - Break into groups of 3-4 people and discuss the following prompts
What do you view as the primary advantages and limitations of Mr. Chips within the fabrication process?
in terms of process (optimization, precision, automation)
in terms of experience (enjoyable processes, laborious workflows)
in terms of outcomes (creativity, art, craft, robustness, functional objects)
Is the robot a collaborator, an assistant, or a tool? Upon what factors are you basing your opinion? What points of disagreement exist between the group?
Return to a large group discussion- each group should pick one leader to share points raised in the small group discussion.
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Procedural and Parametric Transformations
Rhino API Reference- note that the code examples today use the Rhino Common API
Lesson: Transformation in Rhino and Grasshopper Pt 1 (Link) and Pt 2 (Link)
Transformation Matrix reference in Rhino API: Link
Extra: Importing external Python Libraries into Grasshopper: Link
Comment on at least two reading reflections by others (you are welcome to comment on more than two!) Reflection slides.
Complete the project assignment (below).
Create an Instructable documenting your project. Include screen captures, renders, and sample code as appropriate. You are encouraged to document what worked as well as what didn’t work. Your Instructable must be completed by 10AM Tuesday morning April 12th.
Create a set of small stacking or nesting objects functional or otherwise (cups, baskets, coasters, measuring spoons, Matryoshka dolls etc.)
Build off these instructions for this assignment.
Use Rhino and/or Grasshopper to create an initial object (cup, doll, etc)
Use Grasshopper to duplicate and transform the object so that you have a set of at least 5 stacked or nested copies.
Ensure that the copies will effectively stack or nest by baking the copies and performing a boolean union on the set. All the objects should remain separate after the union.
Ensure the design is 3D printable by checking its edges and slicing it in the Cura 3D software.
Note- you cannot print objects in a stacked layout on the printer!
If you have received your printer: 3D print 3 of your designs on your printer and test for fit.
Optional: Wrap a 2-dimensional ornamental pattern on your objects prior to printing them
Student Examples