File Name: DiagridCladdingBoxes.ghx

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Some weeks ago Andy Payne from Lift Architects announced the release of his first version plugin Firefly which is a specialized set of tools dedicated to bridging the gap between the Arduino interface and Grasshopper , currently the plugin has two components one for receiving data coming from sensors and the other to send parametric data from grasshopper to some sort of actuator via Arduino.

I think Firefly is a great tool for prototyping projects that involve sensors and actuators , because before you actually build it, with this tool you can first model a digital muck up to see how your project elements will behave with real sensor data, so then you can port that same logic to build your real project.

Here is an experiment I made sending data from a photoresistor to Grasshopper to create a Responsive Structure that reacts to the degree of light of a physical space in real time.
What you need:
-Arduino Board
-1K Resistor
-Photoresistor
-LED

(sorry about the crappy picture I had to use my webcam)
You have to start by making your Arduino Hookup and writing a code in the Arduino environment so you can retrieve the value of the photoresistor which measures the amount of light in a room and then send it to the board , in this case I wanted that when the amount of light is low an LED started to turn on and that the intensity of it also varies depending the amount of light .

So for the hookup the photoresistor and 1K resistor are hooked up in series. Arduino +5V goes to the photoresistor and ground goes to the 1K resistor. The junction where the photoresistor and the 1K meet is where Arduino pin #5 goes (picture Above).

Next step is write a code in the Arduino environment were we take an analog reading being send from the photoresistor to our board and then send that value to our output which in this case is digital pin11 which is the position of our LED , I made some annotations to the Arduino code to make it more easy to understand.

Arduino Test from Rodrigo Medina on Vimeo.
The last part would be porting the data from arduino to Grasshopper , here is were Firefly comes into action , actually is very easy to use once you install the plugin you´ll se two more components added which are the Serial Read and Serial Write.

In this case as we want to import data from Arduino we are going to use the Serial Read component which has three inputs , the first one is to define if we want the port that transfer data open or closed, you will like to have an integer slider that goes from 0 to 1 to control this easily, remember to have it always at cero before yo start the timer, the second input is for indicating the computer the serial port you are working on which in my case was  COM3 but it depends on the serial USB ports of each computer you can check with which port you are working by opening your Arduino code , then going to the menu Tools and were it says Serial Port you´ll see the one that the Arduino board is using , the last input of the component is the Baud Rate which controls the speed and it should match the one you are using in Arduino apparently the standard is 9600 so I used that one.

Besides that the rest goes pretty straight forward using the common tools of Grasshopper , have I also included some notes in the definition to help you out.

Arduino + Grasshopper & Firefly from Rodrigo Medina on Vimeo.

As always let me know if you have any problems the best way to catch me is by twitter @Rodrigo_Medina

Files Names
Arduino Code:GH3D_FireflyExperiment.pde
Grasshopper Definition:Arduino + Firefly experiment.ghx

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Besides this functionality I wanted to find a way for using Grasshopper data and integrate it with Tsplines to create a single an smooth skin so I configured the definition to create meshed structures besides the normal Nurbs surfaces , so I can convert this mesh structure into a T Spline,for being able to do this this I had to bake separately each part of the mesh structure , and join them on the Rhino environment, I also had to use the Mesh Repair Plugin to get a final Mesh without errors so I can then transform it to TSplines and smooth it.

Hope you find it useful I´ll keep working with this one , got some ideas for implementing it on a product design lets see where it goes.

The mesh obtained from the Grasshopper definition for convert it to TSplines

Screenshot from the Mesh already converted to TSplines for organic surfacing

Responsive Skin Rhino #GH3D from Rodrigo Medina on Vimeo.

Preparing the model .stl file for print it with ZCorp technology

Applying resin to the printed Model

3d printed test model
If you would like to keep up with updates from this or similar projects the best ways to do it are by suscribing my RSS Feed or by following me on Twitter @Rodrigo_Medina

File Name:ResponsiveHoneycombPanels.ghx

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Some new updates on the Pneumatic Panels Project , Toni Österlund an architecture student at University of Oulu (Finland) ,revised  my code and made some improvements,the script  now supports non planar polygons for creating the cushion cladding system, the problem that the code originally had, was that I used a “planar surface” command to create the primary surface to extract the centroid point ,needed to create the cushion surfaces , these new version instead uses a “patch” command , that makes possible working with non planar polygons, the whole code has also been cleaned up and simplified.

I also included here a simple Grasshopper definition that creates a honeycomb cladding which can be used to create the polygons for the panels, just one of the many tools you can use for design testing and integration into your workflow.

Have fun and don´t forget to send your feed back.

NOTE:The script is for the free domain feel free to use it and modify it for your personal research and educational purposes, For implementation in commercial projects you should notify the respective authors (that would be me and Toni )

Grasshopper Definition:HoneycombCladding.ghx
Rhinoscipt File:PneumaticCladdingTool_revised.rvb

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A design exercise made to understand the parametric principles that may apply in the design of a tower structure, in this case I took as a reference for this particular exercise the Canton Tower designed by IBA Architects , which characterizes for using curved and inclined structures instead of the conventional straight structures used conventionally for skyscrapers.

The result of the exercise is a tool that allows the designer to quickly generate tower structures that obey a parametric logic between its  components , among the things the user can change are:

• *The Height of the structure

• *Size of the tower core

• *Rotation angle of the upper profile curve

• *Distance Between slabs

• *Height of slabs

• *Number and Radius of Main columns

• *Number of Secondary columns.

This were the elements or properties I thought would define the basic shape of this particular project however , more functions and parameters can be added to make more precise models. Would be interesting for further experiments to  start testing the structures resulting from this kind of  tools using some finite element analysis  I´ll make some tests using Algor and see how it goes.

I have made a Video Tutorial of this exercise I hope to have time this week to Upload it, meanwhile you can download the definition and play with it.

GH Concepts Covered:

*Extracting Profile Curves / Move Component
*Rotation of objects / Function components  to transform angles in radians
*Creating body surfaces and intersection planes.
*Extract Slabs from BRep intersections.
*Extract lines from profile curves and creating pipes
*Create a single dimension list from different curves using Tree Logic Components
*Transforming single dimension list into a matrix and extract a pattern using VbScript.

Grasshopper Definition:ParametricTowerExperiment.ghx

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The experiment represents a tool to create modular structure systems that can be adaptable to different scales and context spaces, The objective of this project was to develop a generative design strategy for architectural design that could be developed under digital fabrication methods. I have to mentions these are the first steps of  this research project  , currently working in scripting the constructive unions of the modules , tagging the pieces and extract the information for its digital fabrication.

How it Works
The Grasshopper definition extracts the honeycomb structures from two surfaces, this allows the system to adapt better to a pre established place (interior spaces for example) , once you have selected both surfaces they get subdivided and then a VBscript component extract the honeycomb patterns from the surface , which are then used to create lofted surfaces.

As I mentioned befor these are the first steps, I´m woking in a similar version that generates apprtures depending on a distance to a point , if you want to keep updated with this and other projects you can subscribe to my RSS Feed
Rhino File: Honeycomb Surfaces.3dm
Grasshopper Definition: Honeycomb2surfaces.ghx

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A quick study of Marco Vanuci´s work  on recursive surface tessellations . I have been working with recursive algorithms before but only to generate aggregation systems and fractals ,I like this particular exercise because it executes a recursive function under an analysis . The script evaluates the curvature of a surface and depending on the degree of it; the code executes a subdivision  function, that means that whereas the surface is flat and homogeneous the subdivision grid is large ; where the surface curvature is steeper the subdivision grid gets partitioned in smaller parts.

Once I understand how the script worked I just made a little tweaks to the code generate some structural elements.
File name:recursiveTesselation

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If you want to try it out go to the bottom of the post and register to download the file.

About ETFE (Ethylene Tetra Flouro Ethylene)
ETFE foil roofs can be supplied as a single layer membrane supported by a cable net system but generally consist of a series of pneumatic cushions made up of between 2 and 5 layers of a modified copolymer called Ethylene Tetra Flouro Ethylene.
The cushions are kept continually inflated by a small inflation unit which maintains the pressure approx. 220 Pa and gives the foil a structural stability and the roof some insulation properties.

INSULATION
While a single ply ETFE membrane has a U value of 5.6 w/m²°K, a standard three layer cushion has a U value of 1.96 w/m²°K – a better insulation value than triple glazing when used horizontally (glazing manufacturers figures are for vertical glazing which considerably enhances the figures). The insulative qualities of ETFE cushions can also be improved by the addition of more layers of foil which can be treated with specialist coatings to enhance the thermal properties.

TRANSPARENCY
ETFE Foil is a very transparent material and transmits light across the entire visible light region (380 – 780 nm) totalling approximately 94-97% of total light. Transmission across the ultraviolet range (320- 380nm) is also very good (approx 83-88%) and therefore allows plants and vegetation underneath to thrive.

SOLAR CONTROL
As described above, the base material of the cushions is very transparent, the ETFE Foil can be treated in a number of different ways to manipulate its light transmission properties.These include:

- Printing: Also known as fritting, the surface of the foil is covered with a variety of patterns to reduce solar gain while retaining translucency. By varying the percentage of coverage and density of the ink, the energy transmission can be altered. Alternatively, the foil can be over printed with a number of treatments to affect transmission.

- Tinting: A wide variety of coloured foils are also available, although less readily than the standard clear foil. Coloured foils can be used alongside clear foil to incorporate branding and large scale imagery.

- Surface treatments: Surface treatments undertaken during the manufacturing process can vary the properties of the fabric and allow us to manipulate light transmission. These treatments render the foil matt in appearance and therefore provides an excellent surface for projecting
light shows and images onto.

- Radiation: The foil can also be conditioned with a range of radiation treatments which can reduce the levels of IR and UV rays transmitting through the skin.

INFLATION UNITS
ETFE cushion systems are continually inflated by air inflation units located close to the cushions. As the cushions only need to maintain pressure and not generate air flow, the energy consumption used by these units is minimal. An entire roof is generally powered by 2 or more fans powered by electric motors within each inflation unit.
A typical air inflation unit measures 1.2m x 1.2m x 0.9m and is located nearby to the ETFE cushion system, internally or externally

REPLACEMENT
If an ETFE Foil cushion becomes damaged, the individual cushion can be easily removed and replaced with minimal disruption. Minor repairs can be made to the cushion without removing it from the main structure.

ENVIRONMENTAL
ETFE can be recycled with ease, but due to its properties (does not degrade under UV light, sunlight, weather, pollution) it has a very long life which is estimated between 50-100years, making the need for recycling small. The aluminium frames do require a high level of energy for production, but they also have a long life and are readably recycled when they reach there end of life.
(information via Architen)

File Name :PneumaticCalddingTool.rvb

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Recently I was invited by Arkylab a mexican architecture studio to consult them with some computational geometries for a projet named CLARUM which is an Eco Industrial Park wich is one of the first of  its class in Mexico, the Industrial Park contemplates several sustainable systems like its own water treatment system ,  huge spaces for photovoltaic panels , eco friendly public vehicle transport  system  and the implementation of  a free  bicycle system.

This is a  government project  divided in several stages and even do the master plan of the whole  project its already done  currently we are focusing in the first stage  for presenting it at a conceptual level.

I was asked to design some elements around the park with several purposes  and they wanted  them to have an organic looking to represent the ecological aspect of the park , I propose the use some sensors to measure environmental data of the park and represent it on this structures with some lighting systems using pachhube and arduino technologies, to organically communicate the environmental state of the park.

The images above is the structure I made for the first stage  which is  arc for the entrance of the park , I used some recursive L-System algorithms to generate the branch – like structure curves  and  used this ones to model the topology with the help of T-Splines for Rhino.

We are preparing a conceptual video for the presentation that I will upload once the presentation is made.

To achieve this a Rhino Grasshopper definition was made , that allowed me to create triangular modules from a freeform surface , this definition has several variables that allow the user to control the number of elements in each direction as well as the thickness of the truss elements. This let us visualize several truss options for the same surface, for example the more subdivisions we add to our surface the truss will be more similar to the original surface input.

The last part of the definition generates a development of the pieces that compose the truss system , each piece has an id tag to identify it for its fabrication ,I was thinking that by adding some equation functions we could make quotes of our projects it would only be necessary to make a research on the pricing of the manufacturer , I think I will think of solving this once the opportunity comes.

Rhino 3d File:PANELIZACION_Model.3dm
Ghx Definition File:PANELIZACION.ghx

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