Check out these wild forms created by NYCCTfab students within the ParaActivity Intensive Computation and Fabrication Workshop, and check out these great tutorial videos demonstrating many of the related technologies used:
ParaActivity was a six-week intensive computation and fabrication workshop taught by Hart Marlow and Michael McCune at City Tech’s Department of Architectural Technology. The workshop explored parametric aggregations as a means to create a 3D printed shading assembly using Rhino for surface modeling and Grasshopper for visual programming. The use of parametric design allowed the shading assemblies to mediate light heterogeneously through controlled variations of the geometric elements making up up the shading assembly. Students were introduced to physical computing using Arduino boards, Processing, and Firefly to program RGB LEDs integrated within the core of the shading assemblies. The use of IR proximity sensors allowed for an interactive environment wherein the intensity and RGB values of the LEDs were responsive to changes in lighting and motion within the space. The final mesh files of the shading assemblies were cleaned and edited in Geomagic prior to being 3D printed with a ZPrinter 650 color inkjet powder printer.
Check our more photos of the projects and exhibition here.
Every Thursday is #3dthursday here at Adafruit! The DIY 3D printing community has passion and dedication for making solid objects from digital models. Recently, we have noticed electronics projects integrated with 3D printed enclosures, brackets, and sculptures, so each Thursday we celebrate and highlight these bold pioneers!
Have you considered building a 3D project around an Arduino or other microcontroller? How about printing a bracket to mount your Raspberry Pi to the back of your HD monitor? And don’t forget the countless LED projects that are possible when you are modeling your projects in 3D!
The Adafruit Learning System has dozens of great tools to get you well on your way to creating incredible works of engineering, interactive art, and design with your 3D printer! If you’ve made a cool project that combines 3D printing and electronics, be sure to let us know, and we’ll feature it here!