Mill to Fit

Abstract

Digital handcraft sets new standards for traditional building techniques. Linking the topics as geometry, the work piece, tooling and joining, entirely new meanings are produced. Stonecutting in particular has a long tradition of using machines and industrial robots. The “Roboterdesignlabor” established at TU Graz offers a process chain from CAD data, cam data for 3- and 5 axis tooling translated to the machine controller language for milling processes with an ABB IRB 6660. The hardware allows milling of hard materials like stone or concrete. During the workshop the focus is directed towards pushing through digital information, illustrating interfaces and carrying out work pieces. An arch made of foam-glass as a placeholder for brick, composed of several work pieces, acts as a case study. Thereby the focus is placed on the gap between the artificial bricks. Mechanical principles and restrictions of tooling influence the modification of the gap. The aim is to visualize the flow of forces and make the gap as transparent as possible.