Sketch

[Joao Albuquerque]

Hi Flora, Przemek and all,

Getting the knitting machine to CPH seems more complicated than expected..
I started giving some thoughts on something else - i am attaching a short pdf with it.

Could be interesting to do something that geometrically would be quite simple, which could at the most basic level, be intended just as an auxiliary tool of design rather than trying to aim for a design tool that designs by itself, generating some rnd complex geometry.
Something that builds or gathers foam blocks of different volumes into an optimal maximum volume on site, coordinating variables from agent flows, to areas or any other.

I don't know if it's something you'd be interested in pursuing, i thought it could be usefull to develop a colaborative design tool that retrieves a starting point for a design, as it its an "ideal maximum volume" of occupation on site, that negotiates in real time all the inputs. And insteal of being some free form geometry post-printed, it would rather be some super straight-forward geometry everyone correlates to, blocks.

Best,
Joao


--
Joao P. Albuquerque
Architect, MArch

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m +4525104478 (dk)

m +351914295107(pt)

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work // jnpalbuquerque.blogspot.com
Y design office (co-director) // ynotwhy.com

YNOTWHY in MARK n.28!

  

[Przemek Jaworski]

Hey Joao,

This is a great idea. I think that its simplicity (in terms of form) doesn't limit it in any way, and that using blocks is in this case as interesting as using complex curved forms. Did you think about embedding pieces of metal in foam blocks and driving them by electromagnets behind ?
Have a look at this : http://www.vimeo.com/12633737 (it's a silly game, but demonstrates the principle)

I imagine, there could be a table built, with some sort of 2-axis moving system behind (underneath table surface) that would carry an electromagnet. Once the 'head' aligns with the position of the foam block, electromagnet would activate, and then head would move with block to any position.

Block tracking could be done by kinect (can be done by separate computer).

What do you think ?

Challenges :
- probably we would need to cut a hole in the table, and cover it with thin rigid material, as wooden table might be too thick to let magnetic force pass (needs testing)
- we would need stepper motors to drive positioning mechanism, not servos (although it's also possible). However, I have Arduino motor shield at home + two steppers, I can bring it with me if you want to pursue this.
- block tracking - needs to be done with kinect

Please let me know how you find this..

A project like this can be an auxillary extension of a group project - it means you would work with the group, but on separate table, using the same data sources.

Przemek





W dniu 22/03/2011 01:28, Joao Albuquerque pisze:

[Joao Albuquerque]

Hi Przemek,

Sorry for only replying now.

Sounds great! I was reluctant about the arms to drag around the block, but if we're able to do it with magnets under the table works perfectly!

I'm really interested in pursuing this idea if it's ok for you guys...

Could you then bring the steppers?

We'll talk later i suppose.

See you at 21.30.

Joao