inFORMed Matter Workshops Serie : Clay, Polymers & Biomaterials

[.] inFORMed Matter Workshops Series : Clay, Polymers & Biomaterials
grasshopper & robotics workshop
inFORMed Clay matter >> March 24-26, 2017
inFORMed Polymers matter >> April 21-23, 2017
inFORMed Bio matter >> May 26-28, 2017
digifabTURINg – Fablab Torino, Italy

[.] Brief
The inFORMed Matter Workshops Series is focused on the exploration of non conventional additive fabrication processes aimed at producing form through the morphogenetic properties of matter and by embedding further information structures during the fabrication process itself by means of mechanical (robots, printers) or biological (organisms) constructor agents.

Its goal is to step beyond the current state of prototyping, according to which the physical prototype should be as adherent as possible to its digital counterpart, thus making fabrication a purely replicational process. Instead, by coding and embedding additional levels of digital and material information, new physical and aesthetic properties arise. In this way, the production and digital fabrication phase become an integral part of the design process.

By exploring the code-matter-machine interaction process, the potential emergent behaviors of the system can then be studied while, by tapping into the self-organization properties of matter, a new sensibility towards computational design/fabrication process can be learnt and exerted.

[.] Workshop topics
The inFORMed Matter Workshops Series will explore different material systems in three different  workshops:

inFORMed Clay matter workshop
The workshop is focused on the exploration of an integrated digital design and manufacturing process developed through an additive process of ceramic mixture material deposition. By simultaneously understanding material behaviors and tool constraints, participants will acquire the necessary feedback to iterate through the design and production phases by means of custom made digital tools and a 6 axis robotic arm fabrication setup.

inFORMed Polymers matter workshop
The workshop explores the design potentials offered by midair deposition of polymeric material (ABS,PLA). This digital fabrication process is particularly suited for the production of complex lightweight spatial structures, engaging participants in the design and development of efficient extrusion paths necessary to physically fabricate their designs by means of a custom robotic 3D printing setup.

inFORMed Bio matter workshop
The workshop focuses on the implementation and deposition of living systems (micro-organisms) as main materials and/or agents of transformation of organic matters. Participants will explore different design strategies by programming specific morphogenetic processes and robotic behaviours for the synchronised deployment of both substrates/scaffoldings and of the living materials. Combining the unique potential of computation, robotics and biological building agents, the workshop will offer the opportunity to explore, algorithmically design and fabricate temporary structures capable of supporting growth. By simultaneously understanding living materials’ needs and behaviors as well as constraints, participants will acquire the necessary skills to iterate through the design and production phases by means of custom made digital tools, biological agents and a 6 axis robotic arm fabrication setup.

[.] 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 (Rhino 5 latest version) – http://download.rhino3d.com/Grasshopper/1.0/wip/download/

[.] Calendar & timetable
inFORMed Clay matter workshop / March 24-26, 2017 // 10am – 6pm
inFORMed Polymers matter workshop / April 21-23, 2017 // 10am – 6pm
inFORMed Bio matter workshop / May 26-28, 2017 // 10am – 6pm

[.] Tutors
Andrea Graziano – Co-de-iT member & co-founder
Alessio Erioli – Co-de-iT member & co-founder
Bruno Demasi – Co-de-iT member
Stefano Paradiso –  FabLab Torino
Marco Palma – digifabTURINg collaborator
Maurizio Montalti – Officina Corpuscoli

[.] Language
English will be the main language of the workshops.

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

[.] Registration fees
_Workshop Fees
Educational* : 240 € (each workshop)
Professional : 330 € (each workshop)

_Workshops discount
Educational* :
40 € discount will be applied at the 2nd workshop participation
80 € discount will be applied at the 3rd workshop participation

Professional :
55 € discount will be applied at the 2nd workshop participation
110 € discount will be applied at the 3rd workshop participation

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

[.] Deadlines
The deadlines for registration are:
inFORMed Clay matter workshop – March 17 March 23, 2017
inFORMed Polymers matter workshop – April 7 April 20, 2017
inFORMed Bio matter workshop – May 5, 2017

[.] registration
To register to one or more workshops please e-mail: digifabturing@gmail.com
The workshop will be activated with a minimum number of 10 participants.

[.] Credits
The inFORMed Matter Workshops Series is organized by digifabTURINg & Co-de-iT in collaboration with FabLab Torino, Officine Innesto and Officina Corpuscoli and played @ digifabTURINg. The inFORMed Matter Workshops Series is part of the AARM project and supported by Compagnia di San Paolo.

AARM is a project done by digifabTURINg + FabLab Torino and it is one of the 20 winning projects of the competition “ORA! Linguaggi contemporanei, produzioni innovative” dedicated to the visual arts, performing and digital culture, organized by the “Compagnia di San Paolo” and launched in October 2015.