Digital Design and Manufacturing of Architectural Ceramics

Abstract

Established methods of forming ceramics have traditionally required a significant investment in the time and energy intensive processes of trial and error mold making during the refinement for the production of final prototypes. Digital media and computer numerically controlled machining [CNC] can assist in the design and analysis of ceramic structures before testing and production. Computer aided design allows the iterative steps in the forming process to be simulated for greater accuracy in form and the reduction of production time in the fabrication of structural ceramic modular units and surface tiles. The DD-MAC project implements digital tools in the design, analysis, and production of component based ceramic structures. Digital tools are used to simulate structural and environmental forces for a site specific installation. Molds for ceramic prototypes are designed digitally and produced with CNC technologies for the production of a full scale prototype wall structure made from ceramic and composite components. The full-scale prototype wall will be used for the physical testing of structural units and surface tiles in a physical environment. The application of research and simulation to a physical model allows for the validity of the computer model to be assessed. The computer model can then be re-informed or the simulation can be redesigned in response to the physical model.