Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Introduction to Fabrication Fall 2009 - Syllabus

General Course Information: ARCH A4742.001 INTRO TO FABRICATION
F 11:00A-01:00P
AVERY HALL 114

DIGITAL ASSEMBLY: INTRODUCTION TO FABRICATION

Visual Studies Spring 2009 / Session A: January 23rd – February 27th

Professors: Josh Draper – jwd2107@columbia.edu
Joe Vidich – jwv2102@columbia.edu


Class time: Friday 11:00 AM - 01:00PM, 114 Avery Hall

Fabrication Lab Website: http://www.arch.columbia.edu/fabcon
GSAPP Output shop website: http://www.arch.columbia.edu/gsap/68905
Introduction to Fabrication Blog: http://itdfspr09.blogspot.com/

Previous Blogs:
Introduction to Fabrication Blog – Fall 2008 : http://itdffa08.blogspot.com/
Introduction to Fabrication Blog – Summer 2008 : http://itdfsum08.blogspot.com/



Computation in design must seek to expand beyond geometric, mathematic and logical precision in order to engage the "real world". Production and assembly provide a means to interrogate potential roles of computers and digital media in architectural practice, providing feedback to rule-based methodologies and techniques that evolved into contemporary software packages and procedures.

This workshop intends to discover the hidden discontinuities in the design to manufacture to assembly process, when work embedded within the precision of the Machine is forced to perform in the world of Nature. Production is the fitness test of contemporary digital design. Rule-based generative morphologies become a tool for the visualization of fabricated potentials that are embedded with the 'intelligence' of the material world.

This workshop will utilize the equipment of the Digital Fabrication Lab as a test-bed for the exploration of CNC production's role in contemporary architectural practice. Students will work individually or in teams to develop a parametrically controlled architectural assembly based on a set of constraints developed to frame the research. The designs will have control mechanisms programmed to be realized in the material world, where nature becomes the decision maker. Through an iterative process, the designs will be developed, fabricated and tested using architectural materials at full scale. By engaging computational manufacturing techniques in the production of full scale creations, potentials are realized for the integration of digital design in architectural practice.

Students will learn how to prepare their designs for fabrication using various CAM/CAD software (such as MasterCAM and FLowPATH) and how to operate the various CNC equipment within the Digital Fabrication Lab


Schedule of classes:


Week 01 – 01.23.09: Lecture: Intro to Digital Design and Fabrication + Rhino (Part 1)

Assignment 01: Lasercutting
Handout: Laser Cutting Intro + Template (Link on blog)

202 Tutorial Sessions: NONE (Laser Cutting in Output Shop)


Week 02 – 01.30.09: Lecture: Rhino (Part 2) and intro to FlowPATH + WaterJet

Assignment 02: Aluminum and rubber joint system: WaterJet + Pop Rivets
Handout: FlowPATH + WaterJet template (Link on blog)

FabLab: WaterJet
202 Tutorial Sessions: Rhino + FlowPATH + AutoCAD pathing


Week 03 – 02.06.09: Lecture: Rhino (Part 3) and MasterCAM + 3-axis Router

Assignment 03: Plywood contour mill + surface mill: 3-axis Router
Create a rib and surface system with a slumped translucent acrylic skin.
Handout: Rhino Contouring + Surfacing / MasterCAM Contouring + Surface Tutorial / slumping

FabLab: 3 axis Routers
202 Tutorial Sessions: Rhino + MasterCAM (surface milling)


Week 04 – 02.13.09: Lecture: Casting (one part mold) + MasterCAM + 3-axis Router

Assignment 04: Surface Milling Foam + non-normative casting
Intro to casting techniques and mold making.
Handout: MasterCAM Surface Tutorial 2 / Casting / Intro to 3d printing

FabLab: 3 axis Routers
202 Tutorial Sessions: Rhino + MasterCAM (surface milling) + review 3D printing


Week 05 – 02.20.09: Lecture: DESK CRITS: discussion of final projects

Assignment 05: Final Project: Digital Fabrication Research Proposal
300 word description
Combine methods, materials and machines.
Continue with a previous assignment or combine two or more assignments.
Focus on the detail and the system.
Combine normative and non-normative elements.


Week 06 – 02.27.09: Final Review: Location to be determined

Requirements for Final: Final Project + ALL previous projects
Final Project description
Final Project boards: 1 – 2 (11 x 17) documenting concept, production
and assembly process.

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