presseat - 2017

description

During my experience in FabAcademy 2017, which I attended in FabLab Napoli, I got in touch with the process of digital fabrication using CNC machines. Once knowing the limits and the particularity of this type of fabrication, I have developed an algorithm to optimise the time for designing and fabrication process for a piece of design: a chair.

Through Rhinoceros + Grasshopper, I have done some experiments creating a script which can allow the users to control some parameters like width, numbers of crossbeams, thickness materials. Once the user is satisfied with the design, he can reach the closest FabLab and insert the CNC diameter tool they provide into the script. By so doing, the vector files are automatically updated, saving time and offering flexibility during the fabrication process. In addition, the technique proposed is the press-fit: pieces are fixed together through friction, without using screws.

where

Once the script has been developed, the chair was fabricated in FabLab Napoli (Naples, Italy) and in FabLab77 (Moscow, Russia). Even in different countries, the algorithm has been useful and provided a consistent saving of time during the pre-fabrication process, adjusting not only the CNC tool diameter but the thickness of material available at the moment at the FabLabs.

Accreditations

The projects has won the competition “Settimana del Design Campano” in collaboration with Meka. It has been exhibited in the main modern art museum of Naples (PAN) and has been patented for a future production in partnership with a renowned Italian furniture company.