Abstract
Research Background
Empathetic Plasticity is a research translation project in the field of industrial design. Consisting of three uniquely transformed discarded objects (i.e. chairs) each offers an alternate technological response via robotic 3D printing to the gesture of repair: refurbished, augmented and reimagined.
Research Contribution
Although desktop 3D printers have been widely adopted for rapid prototyping tasks in industrial design, the viability of such technologies for ‘real-world’ manufacturing tasks is extremely limited due to barriers related to scale, time and material durability. This project demonstrates the viability of a comprehensive design-to-factory framework that incorporates robotic fabrication techniques in the realisation of aesthetically novel and performative design objects. Consisting of a bespoke end-effector (plastic extruder) and custom algorithmic toolpathing protocol, developed in the Python programming language, this framework enables the fluid translation of typical CAD model formats to robot instruction code.
Research Significance
The significance of the work is evidenced by its inclusion in the exhibition, Upending Mending, curated by Vahri McKenzie, UK Frederick, Katie Hayne and the University of Canberra’s Faculty of Arts and Design at the Belconnen Art Centre (2022).
Empathetic Plasticity is a research translation project in the field of industrial design. Consisting of three uniquely transformed discarded objects (i.e. chairs) each offers an alternate technological response via robotic 3D printing to the gesture of repair: refurbished, augmented and reimagined.
Research Contribution
Although desktop 3D printers have been widely adopted for rapid prototyping tasks in industrial design, the viability of such technologies for ‘real-world’ manufacturing tasks is extremely limited due to barriers related to scale, time and material durability. This project demonstrates the viability of a comprehensive design-to-factory framework that incorporates robotic fabrication techniques in the realisation of aesthetically novel and performative design objects. Consisting of a bespoke end-effector (plastic extruder) and custom algorithmic toolpathing protocol, developed in the Python programming language, this framework enables the fluid translation of typical CAD model formats to robot instruction code.
Research Significance
The significance of the work is evidenced by its inclusion in the exhibition, Upending Mending, curated by Vahri McKenzie, UK Frederick, Katie Hayne and the University of Canberra’s Faculty of Arts and Design at the Belconnen Art Centre (2022).
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Place of Publication | Canberra |
| Publisher | Belconnen Arts Centre |
| Publication status | Published - 20 May 2022 |