IC.1 Digital Fabrication » 3d printing

3d-printed Nodes

petr.novikov — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 23:29:00 +0000

Sliding Structure

The starting point was the choice of the power that puts the model in motion – this power is gravity. The model slides down a rope and the mechanism converts the energy of sliding to rotate the joints. That’s why we needed to 3d print not only joints, but also the gears. Furthermore we needed to laser cut other details, to make the process more profitable. The joints were produced in the way that the model can rotate infinitely.

Printed details:

Upper joints: 6
Lower joints: 6
45 degrees inclinated gears: 2
13 degrees inclinated gears: 6

Joints for eqilibrium

Akhil Kapadia — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 23:45:48 +0000

We part from the idea of recreating a structure that can move and stay in equilibrium as easily and as gracefully as a Calder Structure. These sculptures allow for a great deal of movement, and work perfectly in equilibrium, continuously stabilizing itself.

We devised a joint that allowed us to take the Calder system a bit further. Our new joint is able to hold as many as 18 rods at the same time. It rotates elliptically and vertically, allowing the structure to “find” its own balance according to where the rods are placed and where you apply force of movement.