This video shows some on going research on how the Grasshopper plugin for Rhino can streamline the CNC milling fabrication process; specifically for 2D shape milling on a PADE spin-W 5 axis continuous CNC Work Center.  Special thanks to Matthew Spremulli (former University of Toronto Grashopper workshop attendee) and Greg Everett of the Airport Railings & Stairs Co. Ltd. located in Mississauga Ontario Canada for running the code on their 5-axis CNC mill. 

The original Grasshopper definition has been updated to write both the G-codes (which are the individual groups of numerically controlled functions called packets which tell the mill how and where to move) and the P-codes (which are the instructions that are read by the PADEeasy software to call up the packets in a specific order).  Both sets of codes are streamed automatically to .txt files and are automatically updated upon any changes in the definition or Rhino geometery.

More videos to come on surface milling and 5-axis milling techniques.

Team:
Parametric Modeling - Andrew Payne & Matthew Spremulli
CNC Milling - Greg Everett

Fabrication Tools:
Parametric Modeling Software - Grasshopper plugin for Rhino
CAM Manager - PADEeasy
CAM Controller - OSAI Controller
CNC Milling Machine - PADE spin-W 5 axis continuous CNC Work Center

Fabrication Shop:
Airport Railings & Stairs Co. Ltd. located in Mississauga Ontario Canada

SAN FRANCISCO, CA | INTERMEDIATE GRASSHOPPER WORKSHOP | September 13th, 2009 | 10:00am-5:00pm 

Open to all CCA students/faculty who are interested exploring new forms and shapes using generative algorithms, this one day workshop will cover a range of diverse topics with a focus on fabrication techniques.  We will look at the various ways that the graphical algorithm editor can facilitate traditional laser cutting methods and other fabrication tools available to the CCA students. 

This workshop is an extension of the spring Grasshopper workshop and will require a basic understanding of the plug-in (attending the spring workshop is not a pre-requisite).  All inquiries for the workshop can be sent to assistant professor, Andrew Kudless at akudless@cca.edu

BERKELEY, CA  | GRASSHOPPER + GIS WORKSHOP | September 19th-20th, 2009 | 9:00am-5:00pm

LOCAL CODE proposes a new paradigm in architectural design, systematically bringing place-based data to bear on automatic digital modeling and manufacturing, in order to leverage architectural intelligence to multiple, local settings. The work takes advantage of widespread existing research in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and parametric design, but is among the first the first to synthesize these two strands of thinking and technology to question basic assumptions about the architectural profession, and its role in shaping our changing human landscape. Look for work, including creative-commons licensed scripts and examples, to be distributed in late 2009 and 2010.

This workshop will aim to support the research seminar and thesis studio developed by assistant professor Nicholas de Monchaux.  The workshop is available (limited space) for UC Berkeley students and faculty.  Please contact demonchaux@berkeley.edu if you are interested in enrolling in the workshop.

LOCAL CODE is supported by the Berkeley Center for New Media (bcnm.berkeley.edu), UC Berkeley's Geospatial Innovation Facility, and a grant from the Hellman Family Faculty Fund.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA  | GRASSHOPPER WORKSHOP | September 26th-27th, 2009 | 9:00am-5:00pm

GRAPHIC THINKING is a rigorous investigation focused on the exploration of field structures which serve to establish dynamic relationships among multiple systems (social, political, ecological, economic, etc).  This research, led by T. David Fitz-Gibbon Professor of Architecture Robin Dripps, will examine how the Grasshopper plug-in can be used to create various forms of parametrically controlled field structures that might undergo a process of intervention and transformation that ultimately question the relationship between program, context, and environmental energies.  We will explore the different ways that generative modeling makes one think and how this thinking leads to other ways of working with the translation of idea to form.

This workshop will be open to graduate level architecture and landscape architecture students enrolled in the GRAPHIC THINKING course.  Please direct any inquiries to dripps@virginia.edu