Week 6: Computational couture

This week's assignment was to create a parametrical pattern using Grasshopper, the plugin for Rhino, and 3D print it. I created 2 designs - one 3D printed on fabric and one stand alone design. Both were printed using flexible filament. To download the file for the weave, visit: https://oscircularfashion.herokuapp.com/project/-L6RBZO2WvKMLb8Uni3l

final_circles.jpgfinal_weave_1.jpgfinal_weave_2.jpg

For the first design, in Grasshopper I created a square grid (via the Vector tab) using number sliders for the X and Y so that the grid can be adjusted to any size. I then used the points in the centre of each square as the starting point for a circle. I made the radius of the circles controllable using a number slider. I then used the pipe function to make the circles more solid.

circles_grasshopper.jpg

After this, I used the settings below in Cura (the program for slicing designs ready to be 3D printed) to print the design on fabric. I had to clip the fabric to the bedplate in order to keep the fabric stationary. I used a slower speed because the flexible filament needs more time to be extruded.

cura_print_settings.jpgcircles_printing.jpg

Second design

For the second design, I wanted to create a stand alone weave structure. Having no experience in Grasshopper, I needed to use a tutorial (http://www.grasshopper3d.com/video/defining-a-parametric-weave) to create a weave. The main steps of the tutorial are as follows:

  • Select Square Grid (Vector tab), add number slider to the x and y directions - so that the size of the square grid (therefore the weave) can be adjusted
  • Create a Cull Pattern (Sets tab, Sequence), with boolean toggle values (Params tab, Special) as input i.e. true or false, and link to a tree Branch (Sets tab, Tree) - in order to isolate different points to then manipulate separately (to create the up and down directions for a weave)
  • Use Move (Transform tab, Euclidean) - to move a row of points up
  • Use Vector Amplitude (Vector tab, Vector) with a number slider - to specify the height of points
  • Use Flip Matrix (Sets tab, Tree) - to flip rows and columns to change the direction of the points (from y direction to x direction)
  • Use Weave function (Sets tab, List) - to weave between 2 points, and using a boolean toggle to change the weaving pattern
  • Use Interpolate Curve (Curve tab, Spline) and the weave function as the input - to create curved lines between points
  • Cull again to isolate curves, i.e. the middle curve or the outer curves (of 3 curves)
  • Use Rotate 3D (Transform tab, Euclidean) - to rotate outer curves
  • Copy steps and switch true / false values - to create curves that are inverted/opposite to the original curves that form the basis for the up and down weave structure
  • Use Pipe Component (Surface tab, Freeform) - to change lines (of the curves) into pipes, with a number slider to change thickness

After I produced the weave using the tutorial, I adapted it slightly to experiment with a new design. The change I made to the original design was to mirror the design on top of itself - to create 2 layers of the weave structure. Printing this double structure with flexible filament, I was interested to see the results, how it would feel and what it would be like when pressed together.

I used the same settings in Cura as the previous print on fabric, however I encountered problems with the print. The first layers of the material were not sticking to the bed. I increased the temperature of the bed and also put down some sticky tape to help the layers stick better. The print improved, however, I still had problems. A colleague helped me with this problem by re-calibrating the height of the bedplate so that the nozzle would be closer to the bedplate. This solved the problem and the weave structure was printed successfully.

weave_printing.jpgfinal_weave_1.jpg

Final thoughts

It was useful to experience Grasshopper, however I found the program difficult use. It was hard to me to find the right function that I needed for a design element I had in mind, and to know what input the components required; often, the program produced results I didn't expect. I am aware that my first design is very simple, as I found it difficult to produce a more complicated structure that I wanted.

I am happy with the final products however. The flexible material makes them pleasing to touch and handle. The weave structure is flexible but also firm when pressed; this could perhaps be a useful structure to absorb the impact from movement.