C2 Solid Chair 2004
(Epoxy resin, Manufactured by Materialise NV, Belgium)
Patrick Jouin
French, Born 1967
Rapid manufacturing is an additive fabrication technique for manufacturing solid objects by the sequential delivery of energy and material to specified points in space to produce that part. Current practice is to control the manufacturing process by computer using a mathematical model created with the aid of a computer.
To explain it simplely, different from the 2D printer which can output a digital file onto a plant medium, rapid manufacturing can output a digital file to a 3D model. Actually, the thoery of this new technique is not new. I think this technique is inspired from traditional sculpture technique which enlarge a sculpture model by the help of contour line. In rapid manufacturing, the digital 3D file in computer is just like the sculpture model, which can be cut into many layers with different shape of contour line. The process of rapid manufacturing is just output the different layers using a certain kind of powder, which can be fused under certain temperature. And then the layers will deposit to form a real 3D model.
This technological innovation can not only accelerate the traditional production to be “Rapid”, but also can bring a new kind of aesthetic revolution. In our history, the appearance of a new technique or material always lead a new aesthetic movement. For example, the futurism was inspired by the mass application of machine. The concept of modernism architecture is based on the appearance of new materials.
Compared with traditional production, the most unique characteristics of Rapid Manufacturing is the disappearance of the process steps and modulus unit. Because the inner structure and external surface of the final product will be outputted simultaneously. Maybe in the future, a factory just need one department to output the final products, while the other works have been finished in computer. This kind of nonlinear production will inspire designers every much. For example, getting rid of the limitation of modulus and standardization, the architects can be more free to design some fancy, complicated, even “impossible” shape. For a simple example, with the help of Rapid Manufacturing machine, we can make a absolutely concealed box, which can conceal another smaller box inside simultaneously and it is not necessary to open the bigger box to made the small one. Based on this new possibility of design, I believe a new aesthetic movement is coming.
7 comments:
What does it mean to be "technologically innovative"--especially in light of established methods of working--such as rapid manufacturing?
Also, what piece did you choose from the show?
compare with traditional methods of working, rapid manufacturing has a lot of Technologically innovative ponits:
1, "rapid"--faster and more effective than before.
2, "one step production"---most of works will e finished in computer
3, "free" ---get rid of the limitation of unit and standardization.
4, "new design"---designer can to create a complex modle in computer and output it.
5, "accurate products"--- no error between design and final products.
Also I would like to say this new technology has a potential danger to human. This new technique will not only cause a technological innovation but also can cause a social revolution.
Because our current modern world is based on the industrialisation. The different steps in pipelining production provide a great number of occupations for people who have different skills and education background. If the Rapid Manufacturing becomes the main method of working, a mass unemloyment will occur. So it is necessary to figure out a solution for this potential danger.
Let me clarify the possiblity of mass unemployment:
1, the occupations for mining, woodcutting, agricultural workers will be reduced. since most of the industrial material will be compounded by chemical material, such as epoxy resin.
2, the occupations in one-step production factory will be reduced. since the Rapid Munfacturing machine can output the final products directly.
3, the occupations in transportation will be reduced, since it is not necessary to transport the final products from one location to another. Because the digital file of that kind of products can be sent to where people need it through Internet and be outputed in the local RM factory.
The job of being a designer is table in future.
Let us celebrate our current choice to learn in Rhode Island School of Design !!!!!
Sorry, the job of being designer is "stable" not "table"
Honestly, I am not familiar with this technology, rapid manufacturing. At first, I was just surprised at the fact we could make the exact same 3D model from the sketch in 2D CAD program. Also your explanation using sculpture technique metaphor helps me a lot to understand the process of this manufacturing skill. Like you said, the start point to technological innovation is an experiment about materials. Once it works, we could develop technique using the material and the skill would spread out rapidly. That could be pros and cons like two sides of a coin. We can take advantages of technological innovation, but at the same time, we should confront social problems from the side effects. Therefore, I agree with your thought about these opposite aspect of technique revolution. We should be aware of this theme and find out the solutions.
However, why do you think that being a designer is stable? I think designers stand in the center of all these changes. Of course, designer is not a technician. They could be safe from the one step production and their plan can come true exactly. On the other hand, designers will be forced by knowledge of numerous techniques. They have to be adapted to the environment of rapid changes in technological innovation. I think it is much more challenging than developing their own skills.
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