Milling machines: are one of the most used tools in industry, and since the 50’s almost every other object or thing we use has been produced by milling processes, molding processes is part of the use of milling tools, since plastic injection and thermoforming are the most used processes for chain production. Students are expected to get familiar with the use of the machines and digital tools to understand the fabrication workflow, from the digital idea draft to the production of a mold in the milling machine, which will allow the repetition of several pieces.
Goal of this course: The aim of the exercise is to explore 3 dimensional manufacturing processes by the use of the CNC milling machine, and the development of molds for casting pieces. By the end of the course every student should be familiar with digital modeling, computer aided manufacturing (CAM) tools, with the use of the CNC milling machine and the different tool bits, and furthermore, the use of molding and casting materials and composites. During all this process security will be one of the main issues to consider, since there are serious hazards: machine operation and movement, solid pieces coming out of the carving process, and the use of resins and composites for molding and casting.
The third digital fabrication exercise: will be focused in the design of a floor tile, the fabrication of its mold, and the process of casting the parts to construct a flat pavement inspired by Gaudi’s hexagonal tile, exhibited in “La Perdrera”. The design of the tile will need to respect a specific problematic of water evacuation, the constrain of the molding technique and take in consideration the machining time . The floor will be a performance itself, and will be constructed as long as tiles are produced. The exercise is constrained by the dimensions of the mold, which will be the size of the hexagonal tiles of Gaudi : 250mm incircle diameter, 144mm side. The mold will have one side open and a bottom face where each groups will propose a fabrication strategies. The material of the mold will be high-density polyurethane foam. Milling tools will be limited (see tools list below). Molds should respect the connection system given, which will allow constructing the entire water system, even if the other teams operate with different connexions and different milling techniques. Form and pattern exploration based on manipulation of parameters and tool selection will be the evaluation principles for this exercise.
Faculty: Edouard Cabay / Alexandre Dubor / Anastasia Pistofidou.
Assistants: Robert Garita / Chirag Rangholia
Special Guest : Enric Pericas Bosch.