Just wondered if anyone is aware of an online primer to cncing architectural models. I've looked through a number of Greg Lynn's books and am keen to utilise my year experience as a cncist now that I'm an enrolled Architecture undergraduate.
Beyond Lynn's nice picture books, I'd be grateful for any references to processes and materials.
If you want to go straight to 3D from a CAD file there are services available where you upload your file through a website and a model arrives at your doorstep.
Here is a short white paper on 3D printing with Zcorp machines:
Monolith, I have found various manuals on how to prepare files for milling, also, I have written one myself for tutorial purposes, but this deals with Rhino and RhinoCam. These are more of the technical side of preparing the file. When I say technical, I do not mean difficult, just that they have not much to do with design, more the communication between model and machine.
A model to be fabricated should always be informed by the process by which it will be fabricated. This might seem as obvious, but you would be surprised. Also, yes, the question of material all play into it. You must keep in mind the number of axis you will have access to on the machine. This and the range of toolbits you have will determine geometric constraints. For example, if you have access to only 2" bits, you have to think about what are the maximum slopes you can produce...too severe the angles, and the machine will crash into the material. So really, the first step is to get information about the machine (how many axis, bed size, z clearance, file format, bits available) and have that information enter into the model. If there is something that is out of the realm of possibilities, it does not mean it cannot be done, you must find a way within those constraints to make it happen...but this is why it is important to know the machine.
It is hard to tell the scale, but this thing is about 3meters x 1meter x .5 meters. Done in 4 pieces out of high density polyurethane foam. This was 160K/m3. I worked on this over the summer for an exhibition.
Currently I am trying to research more ecofriendly milling materials to replace this stuff. Other alternatives are of course various woods. The wood will be harder on the machine, but some really nice stuff can be done by layering the wood in opposing grain patterns and colors. Even adding thin sheets of a differently colored material can have some nice effects.
I will see if I can dig up some of those tutorials.
Sat in on a CNC session in the workshop today.We have a 'medium spec' machine I'd say, nowhere near like the Cinncinati and Heidenhain beasts I used to work on. CNC'd site plans look good when engraved on grey matt sprayed foamboard I thought. I am however, conscious of the environmentally unsound nature of this material - there just happens to be lots of sizeable offcuts in there.
I'll post the results and give an overview of the brief when I've finished my current project. Thanks for all your help again.
Luis - I'd love to see some other shots of your model if you have any..?
Is there an email address I could drop a line to you on at all? Not sure if this site has member email details anywhere..?
CNCing Models - A Primer
Just wondered if anyone is aware of an online primer to cncing architectural models. I've looked through a number of Greg Lynn's books and am keen to utilise my year experience as a cncist now that I'm an enrolled Architecture undergraduate.
Beyond Lynn's nice picture books, I'd be grateful for any references to processes and materials.
Cheers.
3d printing company that supplies printers and supplies to Thom Mayne's Morphosis as well as many architecture schools across the country:
www.zcorp.com
If you want to go straight to 3D from a CAD file there are services available where you upload your file through a website and a model arrives at your doorstep.
Here is a short white paper on 3D printing with Zcorp machines:
http://www.sweetonioncreations.com/about_us/architecture_casestudies.html
Will you be cutting 2D profiles or milling 3D surfaces?...or both? What equipment is available to you?
I guess that would assume a CNC mill... which technology are you working with?
Hi Luis,
Milling 3d surfaces primarily. I'm not sure off hand what machine and controls we have in the workshop but I'll be able to find out this week.
Monolith, I have found various manuals on how to prepare files for milling, also, I have written one myself for tutorial purposes, but this deals with Rhino and RhinoCam. These are more of the technical side of preparing the file. When I say technical, I do not mean difficult, just that they have not much to do with design, more the communication between model and machine.
A model to be fabricated should always be informed by the process by which it will be fabricated. This might seem as obvious, but you would be surprised. Also, yes, the question of material all play into it. You must keep in mind the number of axis you will have access to on the machine. This and the range of toolbits you have will determine geometric constraints. For example, if you have access to only 2" bits, you have to think about what are the maximum slopes you can produce...too severe the angles, and the machine will crash into the material. So really, the first step is to get information about the machine (how many axis, bed size, z clearance, file format, bits available) and have that information enter into the model. If there is something that is out of the realm of possibilities, it does not mean it cannot be done, you must find a way within those constraints to make it happen...but this is why it is important to know the machine.
It is hard to tell the scale, but this thing is about 3meters x 1meter x .5 meters. Done in 4 pieces out of high density polyurethane foam. This was 160K/m3. I worked on this over the summer for an exhibition.
Currently I am trying to research more ecofriendly milling materials to replace this stuff. Other alternatives are of course various woods. The wood will be harder on the machine, but some really nice stuff can be done by layering the wood in opposing grain patterns and colors. Even adding thin sheets of a differently colored material can have some nice effects.
I will see if I can dig up some of those tutorials.
good luck, happy milling!
wood: problems are breaking bits as you go.
MDF is terrible in terms of chemicals...
foam is bad as well fro friendly stuff...
i know for surfboards (which have traditionally been polyurethane foam) they've developed a product called "biofoam"
http://www.wetsand.com/article.asp?locationid=5&resourceid=7810&ProdId=0&CatId=849&TabID=0&SubTabID=0
most shops only have 3 axis mills which mean you can't do undercuts so keep that in mind.
good for site models.
tutorials? they should have one established for your specific mill at your school
This site always makes me smile...
Sat in on a CNC session in the workshop today.We have a 'medium spec' machine I'd say, nowhere near like the Cinncinati and Heidenhain beasts I used to work on. CNC'd site plans look good when engraved on grey matt sprayed foamboard I thought. I am however, conscious of the environmentally unsound nature of this material - there just happens to be lots of sizeable offcuts in there.
I'll post the results and give an overview of the brief when I've finished my current project. Thanks for all your help again.
Luis - I'd love to see some other shots of your model if you have any..?
Is there an email address I could drop a line to you on at all? Not sure if this site has member email details anywhere..?
you can click on my name and send me an email...
ACFA...thanks for the link to that material...would love to test this out and implement it.
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