7. Computational Couture¶

Global Class with Aldo Sollazo from Iaac Barcelona, Noumena

Assignment Document the concept, sketches, also references to artistic and scientific publications. Design a parametric model using Grasshopper3D and upload the rhino file + grasshopper files.
Learn how to use 3D printing techniques to print the 3D model in/on the chosen materials.
Document the workflow for exporting your File and preparing the machine and gcode to be 3D printed.
Upload your STL file with pictures at https://oscircularfashion.com Submit some of your swatches to the analogue material library of your lab. (20cm *20cm approx)

Inspirations¶

Youtube

FabricateTM 3D Tech-StyleTM Printing for Cube

Rhino6 and Grasshopper¶

Grasshopper is an add-on or plugin for Rhino. It is part of the default Rhino. Offers tutorials, forums and other links. If you are using a Rhino version lower than 6, then you can download Grasshopper from this site as well.

In my experience, Grasshopper is not for dummies. It takes patience enough to achieve stunning results.
I watched some beginners tutorials like DigitalToolBox - grasshopper basic and TUDelft - Getting started with Grasshopper, still did not feel that I learned enough to go to a new project alone.

Another fast and easy I watched is Tutorial Easy - Grasshopper from CREArT.studio.

Basic notes¶

GH-basics Grasshopper Basics, TUDelft

Starting Grasshopper can be done by typing 'grasshopper' in the Rhino command line¶

File > Special Folder > Component Folder
Grasshopper to Rhino > Bake the to put what you create on GH to Rhino > Can be done only at the end of the project
I worked on Mac OS Catalina, and I have the full version of Rhino6. Not all the plugins are ready for Mac and some that work are still not safe for Mac (follow the txt recommendations when you download the plugin)

These are some necessary information about its contents: http://wiki.bk.tudelft.nl/toi-pedia/Getting_Started_with_Grasshopper
Is strongly recommend to use layers and preview options from the beginning, to organise your project. Due to the previews of many components and parameters, it can be a big mess of lines and xx that don't allow us to understand what we are building or changing completely.
I followed this tutorial, a Triangular Parametric Grid, so I could practice and maybe learn in the process. From Parametric House I chosed Rhino Grasshopper Parametric Pattern.

GH-test1 Test1 on GH - folowing ParametricHouse tutorial, Carolina Delgado

3D Printer¶

The basics 3D Printers work with solids filaments that are melted, extruded and dry again:¶

Motherboard - the brain
Nozzle - Fills a Filament from the hothead, it melts and extrudes in
Thermostat - put the ideal ºC
Filament -- most usual is PLA from starch (supposedly bio-plastic biodegradable), PETG (recyclable)

Machine Machine parts of a 3D printer, example from Flarelab]

Software to 3D printing¶

We have to now 2 printers on the FabLab:

Ultimate Cura - Software to 3D printing. Instal the software but no need to make an account to use it
Prusa - Printers, software and research by Josef Prusa

Ultimate Cura¶

Menus

Position
Scale
Rotate - if we need to put a different position so that the flatter or more significant surface support to lay down on the printer bed
Mirror
Mesh
Eraser
Lateral bar slider - to see each layer that is going to print
Support - a weaker piece that is used just for print and will be removed aft. Simple wall and less filament used. The simple way is to use as recommended on the software.
Menu Prepare - if you rotate the view, you can see it in red if areas need support.
Add Printer > add a non network printer > Prusa i3 Mk3/ Mk3s. And repeat and also add Ultimaker2+.

Prusa¶

Menus

Setting - Set the filament to print > Generic TPU 95A (flex fill)
Fine - Default is 0.15 mm/ the higher the number the thickness of the layer and less resolution of the print.
Infill - thickness inside, changes density of the inFill - the heavier, the less the fast and lighter. To test in the lines, it will be empty. Basic 2D on a fabric.
Chose on the simple object to play and learn the software
Import file. play with menus
Zoom - scroll with the mouse
Rotate view - right button
Slice - Select the object and slice to make a file set to print and preview the layers. Also slides to save the File to print.
Preview - See number and layers sliding on the right
Save to File - the imported one is stl, and *gcode is the File you save.

Preparing file to 3D Printer¶

Import the STL file to Ultimaker Cura
Preview the plate and slices
Change the settings of the material - PLA 0.4
Preview - Set Fine 0.1 and Infiller 0

Ultimaker File
Preparing file with Ultimaker Cura, Carolina Delgado

Meet the Ultimaker 2+¶

Meet the Ultimaker 2+, Carolina Delgado

Always clean the bedplate before you start
Change > Remove the filament > insert new material
Put the Insert in the hole up till it gets stick on the upper tube.

Insert material, Carolina Delgado

Wait till the material comes out of the Nozzle.
Pull the remaining off old material that comes out, like all the other colour. It starts to change the colour to yours.
Then chose the material you will print
PLA - press this as the similar, and it sets the temperature
Move the bottom - rotating and click to select
Menu SD card > prepare > heating up
Calibrating the Nozzle:
Maintenance (in the initial menu)> Build plate > I will guide you > ok > rotate to place the material (sample paper with similar thickness) > turn to be closer like 1 mm.
Note: the bed in this machine moves up to the Nozzle. Others work moving the Nozzle down.

Calibrate Nozzle distance, Carolina Delgado

Test the Nozzle with paper some while resistance screeching
Repeat to other corners as asked by the machine

Nozzle distance
Test Nozzle position with a card, Carolina Delgado

Remove and Clean the glass plate
Put again on the place
Select your File from the SDcard menu
Remove the beginning extrusion with a tweezer

Sara-test
Sara's test without fabric, Carolina Delgado

Test on Lycra¶

Clean the glass plate
Stretch the lycra on the plate using a paper tape to keep it in place
Test with your nails if the fabric does not move. If it grabs, is to lose and the Nozzle will burn the textile or just damage the printing

Making the bed
Preparing BedPlate with Lycra, Carolina Delgado

Menu > Tune > adjust settings continuing print
First result burned the textile so we had to adjust reducting the speead for this:
PLA Material (similar to flexible filament)70% speed
240°C Nozzle temperature
60°C Bedplate temperature
Finished your 3D printing? Clean and Close
Remove the materials! > following the Menu to remove the filament. And Switch off the machine (button on the back).

Note for 3D printing Curves
Straight lines are easy to print. So if you print curves, I strongly recommend to slow down the speed (for example 60%).

Results¶

3D SpiderWeb on Lycra¶

I've made some attends to create a 3D pattern to print. Understanding the menus and actions of Grasshopper, took me at least five tests. However, considering the limitation of time and the need to prepare a 3D ready to print File, I decided to go back to basic.
Therefore, I've chosen a radial grid to bake a Spider Web.

In Rhino

On Rhino > Edit > Settingns > adjust units to milimiters
Create Square with 180x180mm to a new layer - you can name it BedPlate

In GrassHopper

Type Grasshopper on the Comand and start working on GH window
Menu Vector > Radial Grid
Double click and ad a number > slider to Extent R (Radial)
Double click and ad a number > slider to Extent P (Perimenter?)
Adjust the slides as wish (considering the size of the 3D priter BedPlate, in this case was recomended less than 180x180mm)
Size > Flaten (with right button) and repeat the same with the Cells
Curve > Offset Curve > add number slider to distance and corners
Distance > Right click > Expression > -X ( this means that the offset will be inside the limits)
Curve Utilitys or double click and write to select > Explode
Conect to Curve
Save file same folder and with same name of Rhino file
Select Explode > Bake and save to a new layer (for example Layer 3 in blue and call it Spider Web)