4 research outputs found
The Role of Parametric Design in the Robotic Assembly of Dry-Constructed Shell Structures.
No full textDesign for Deconstruction Through Digital Fabrication of Thin Spatial Systems
No full textSpatial systems like shells, arches and shelters can often be used as temporary structures to accommodate short to medium expositions, events, or emergencies. This has historically allowed them to be designed for multiple uses. Recent advancements in computer graphics, algorithmic design, and advanced manufacturing have accelerated their development and opened new scope for applications, by exploiting new capabilities and opportunities for material-efficient designs and constructions. The authors aim to develop combined systems approaches to the design of resilient, de-constructible constructions for the built environment. This work presents the recent advancements in the development of discrete shell systems developed at the AS_Lab between the Politecnico di Milan and the University of Leeds, using biogenic materials such as wood which are inherently sustainable. Coupling geometry design and segmentation with ad-hoc connection systems, demountable systems have been developed, which are materially efficient, digitally designed, and fabricated, and can, in some instances, be robotically assembled. The study presents the conceptual design and fabrication of three prototypes, which have been realized to accelerate the transition to industry 4.0 while posing the focus on a circular future
"Disney is the Tiffany’s and I am the Woolworth's of the business": A critical re-analysis of the business philosophies, production values and studio practices of animator-producer Paul Houlton Terry
No full textThis thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.Animator-producer Paul Houlton Terry has been portrayed as having little passion for the animation he produced and being more concerned with making a profit than producing entertaining cartoons with high production values. The purpose of the dissertation is to re-evaluate Terry‘s legacy to animated cartooning by analyzing his business philosophies, production values, and studio practices.
Application of four psychodynamic factors to the early life and career of Terry, 1887-1929, found that his economic decision making was characterized by: an external locus of control, risk-averse financial behaviour, extreme saving behaviour through precaution, and shrewd money management practices. Based on Terry‘s historical responses to twelve major economic, technological, or institutional forces of change for the period 1929-1955, the psychodynamic factors were found to provide accurate explanations for his studio practices and production decisions.
There was no evidence to support the conclusion that three early career disappointments undermined Terry‘s intrinsic motivation to create animated cartoons. Rather, Terry‘s lack of risk taking, external locus of control, tight studio production schedule, desire to compete with neighbour studio Fleischer, difficulty in separating financial rewards from creative processes in animation, and practice of undertaking surveillance measures on staff may have undermined his and his studio‘s creativity. Archival research found Terry to possess strong passions for and to have made significant creative contributions to the field of animation.
Biographical research found that Terry retained a stable nucleus of highly talented artists who dedicated a significant portion of their working careers to the studio. An analysis of the cel aesthetics of a random sample of animated cartoons produced during the years 1930-1955 found that Terry created animated cartoons with above average cel aesthetics when compared to the other studios thereby supporting an inference that Terry was motivated to producing quality crafted animation. Further research is suggested into the role psychodynamic factors and economic decision-making play in the film production process and a clarification of Terry‘s legacy to the field of animated cartoons
AM Perspectives 2: Research in advanced manufacturing for architecture and construction
No full textThe pressing challenges of climate change, reduction of available material and skilled labor for construction, have given a big input to the development of advanced manufacturing, declined in the triad of additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing and robotic platforms.
Additive Manufacturing (AM) has held its promise of mass customization, from the component scale to full building scale, providing the imagination that each component could be tailored to specific needs without significantly affecting its production costs or time. Today we are witnessing, that while, perhaps, complete dwellings have not been additively manufactured, certainly there have been few houses and neighbourhoods, having their walls fully 3D printed. We have seen them, to be developed in a variety of materials, from concrete, having the largest share, to earthen and bio-based now starting to appear. Bringing to the resurge of the traditional materials, as well opening up to a nearly infinite exploitation of innovative materials, which can be tailored to use organic compounds, to achieve thermal, acoustic and structural performance on demand.
The definition, prediction and assessment of the performance of those advanced manufactured materials, components, buildings and infrastructures is enabling to refine AM and the development of new architectural tectonics. Numerical and Virtual simulations are enabling prediction and testing of manufacturing stages, in use performances, and life cycle assessments to measure innovation versus current sustainable development goals.
Lately, we are also witnessing the manifestation of the (once) utopian dream of having machines, and robots around us building up components, and full structures. How far are we from the Plug-in City envisioned by the Archigram or by the Gramazio & Kohler urban forms resulting from robotic logics rather than human hands? Perhaps, we are still quite distant by their complete realization, but robotic agents are becoming real in the construction realm. From robotic systems assembling components, to platforms automating repetitive tasks, to digital twins sensing the cities, and drones constructing in harsh environments, we are witnessing growing human-robotic interactions.
Therefore, this book presents and discusses upon the latest research in the field of advanced manufacturing for the building realm, simulation for the advancement of customized properties of AM components, and robotic manufacturing of construction systems developed across a vivid network of researchers based in European Universities. We hope this book can stimulate reflection about the current and future trends in construction automation, with a strong emphasis on their architectural quality, forms of tectonics, and achievable performances. We hope some or many of these, research-based innovation will soon show their full application in construction industry
