INFORMED CLAY MATTER 2.0 – FABLAB TORINO

inFORMed Clay matter 2.0
grasshopper & robotics workshop
October 23-25 2015
Fablab Torino, Italy

[.]  Brief:
The workshop idea rises from a collaboration between Co-de-iT, Fablab Torino, Officine Arduino, based on an ongoing Co-de-iT research called “inFORMed matter“.

The “inFORMed matter” research project focuses on the exploration of additive fabrication processes (such as n-Dimensional printing, guided growth and/or assembly), aiming to inform (i.e. to give form) as in to produce form through the morphogenetic properties and capacities of matter by embedding further information structures during the fabrication process itself by means of mechanical (robots, printers, etc.) and/or biological (organisms – even synthetically built ones) constructor agents.

Our goal is to go beyond the current state of prototyping, according to which the physical prototype should be as close as possible a clone of its digital counterpart, thus making fabrication a purely replicational phase. Instead, by coding and embedding additional levels of information aimed at mapping and defining material features and behaviors as well as different deployment patterns from which physical and aesthetic properties arise, the production and digital fabrication phase becomes an integral part of the design process.

By exploring the code-matter-machine interaction process we can study the potential emergent behaviors of the system as well as learn and exert a new sensibility to the computational design/fabrication process by tapping into the self-organization properties of matter as a key factor in determining characteristics of the output shape.

The workshop it’s focused about the exploration and development of the whole process of design and digital manufacturing through additive processes of ceramic mixture materials.

[.]  Workshop topics:

• Anticipate material behavior through digital simulation: test and apply different tool-based conditions and parameters (extrusion direction angle, speed of extrusion, variable layer thickness, etc … ) and evaluate the consequent material behavior in order to get useful feedback for the next iteration of the digital model. The aim is to understand how to embed material properties as code/information during the digital design phase, fine tuning it towards the desired effect-outcome.
• Seamless design-to-machine pipeline: shorten the information pipeline from the design process to the constructor machine. This is achieved by acting on both factors: informing directly the machines by generating the necessary code in the design tool and build the design process around the capacities of the machines involved.
• Embed morphogenetic material properties as design factors: understand and manage such properties, behaviors and their potential morphological outcomes for different materials, from clay to biologic matter, in order to map and use them as an atlas of expressive possibilities and performances of the material.
• Understand constraints and opportunities determined by the chosen constructor agent/machine: learn to use and manage different machines to handle the extrusion tool for additive processes and learn to evaluate and exploit the influence, constraints and given opportunities provided by different machines and movement technologies. 

During the workshop will be used as tools for handling the special ceramic extruder, a customized 3D printer, type delta, and a 6-axis Comau Robot NJ 60.

The final output will be then the result of influence, cooperation and conflict of these aspects upon, with and onto one another. Only successfully combining computational simulation, material properties and capacities and machine constraints and opportunities we can effectively evaluate and push further the design process potential and foster design and fabrication skills and sensibilities that will form the basis of a more comprehensive awareness in regard to the relations between computation and material aspects.

[.] Software & Skills
Basic modeling skills in Rhino3D and Grasshopper (Grasshopper Primer level) are required.
Participants should bring their own laptop running Windows with pre-installed software (detailed information will be given after subscription).

A fully functional evaluation version of the software can be downloaded at the following links:
Rhino 5 – http://download.rhino3d.com/Rhino/5.0/evaluationtimed/
Grasshopper (latest version) – http://download.rhino3d.com/Grasshopper/1.0/wip/download/

[.] Calendar & Timetable:
October 23-25 2015 // 10am – 6pm

[.] Tutors:
Stefano Paradiso – FabLab Torino
Andrea Graziano – Co-de-iT
Bruno Demasi – Co-de-iT

[.] Language:
English will be the main language of the workshop

[.] Venue:
Fablab Torino, Via Egeo 16 Torino, Italia

[.] Registration Fees:
For participants who register by 28 September 2015, we offer an EARLY BIRD rate of:
EARLY BIRD fees extended to deadline.
E.B. – Educational* : 220 € + VAT (if applicable)
E.B. – Professional : 320 € + VAT (if applicable)

After 28 September, 2015 STANDARD fees apply:
STANDARD fees – educational* : 300 € + VAT (if applicable)
STANDARD fees – professional : 400 € + VAT (if applicable)

* Full time students, teachers, researchers & PhD (proof of status required).

The deadline for registration is 12 October, 2015 extended to 22 October, 2015.
The workshop will be activated with a minimum number of 12 participants.

[.] Application:
The EDUCATIONAL* registrations can be done on ARDUINO Store at: https://store.arduino.cc/product/WS00027
The PROFESSIONAL registrations can be done on ARDUINO Store at: https://store.arduino.cc/product/WS00028

[.] Organized by:
This workshop is organized as a collaboration between FabLab Torino and Co-de-iT.

More images can be found at:
Co-de-iT digifabTURINg flickr set
digifabTURINg blog