The Digital Tool Development by Formalizing the Making with Manual Clay Extruder

Abstract

This paper aims to illuminate ways in which digital tools can be used to translate tacit knowledge to further analyze and evaluate the hands-on making processes with craft tools. The research methodology reviews and analyses the making grammar studies and digital tools developed by makers to suggest a procedure for parametrization and digitalization of craft processes. As a case study, the extrusion process conducted with a manual clay extruder (MCE) is examined and a parametric model derived from physical making is generated in Rhinoceros Grasshopper environment. The correlation between the physical and digital medium is measured with photogrammetry and written scripts by comparing produced forms. The developed parametric model is found to be useful in enhancing the maker’s knowledge through correlating the parameters of making and evaluating the process as an extension of the maker’s toolset. The parametric model can be further used to fabricate the digitalized versions of hand-made artifacts with digital fabrication tools and communicate the making knowledge through virtual guilds.