8. Computational couture

This week has been an enriching learning experience for me to explore very interesting and new things like, designing using Grasshopper and 3D printing on fabric.

Inspiration

I am inspired by the Islamic design for patterns. The islamic patterns are very special due to the fact that they are developed from gemetrical polygons. It is very interesting to see how simple gemetry can build sophisticated artistic pieces.

Interesting Research

Design of 3D Printed Math Art

The Assignment of the Week

The assignment of this week is to design a parametric 3D model using Rhinoceros Grasshopper platform.

First, I started reading and watching different tutorials for Rhino Grasshopper since I am a begginer. I found a lot of very good tutorials and references that made the process easy for me. In order to use Grasshopper, you need to understand its concept and how it works. Grasshopper is a visual programming environment that runs within the Rhinoceros 3D CAD software. Unlike, Rhinoceros (and other non-parametric design softwares) Grasshopper consider any point in a curve by its coordinates and considers vectors as points with directions. It is very interesting simulation tools as well as it automatically generates the coressponding 2D or 3D model on Rhinoceros software platform. This makes the designing easy to analyze and to configure the parameters.

I started watching tutorials provided by PARAMETRIC HOUSE, they have very clear and well-explained tutorials for Rhino Grasshopper.

Eventhough Grasshopper is an advanced design software, it was making a lot of sense to me especially that in engineering design and simulation we use MATLAB Simulink software which also works with blocks and different elements and functions to design a system.

Used Softwares, Materials and Machines

  • Rhinoceros Grasshopper Software
  • Ultimaker 2+ 3D Printer
  • Printer Filaments (PLA)
  • Fabric (Organza, Cotton and Felt)

The Design Process

  • Hexagonal Islamic Pattern

My first design was mainly using hexagonal pattern. I am showing the code design step-by-step in the following image.

  • Octagonal Islamic Pattern

  • Islamic Geometric Pattern

My last design was referring to the tutorial below published by PARAMETRIC HOUSE to make an Islamic parametric design.

I followed the tutorial and designed the following pattern.

The 3D Printing Process

Before moving to the 3D printing, the patterns need to be extruded and baked. Extrusion is obviously to have a curve with 3D-feature and baking is the command that will allow the curve to be in a form that can be exported.

I did the same to other patterns and then I exported the STL file.

  • Test with Organza & Cotton

First I attached a piece of organza fabric over the built plate using double sided tissue tape.

However, when printing started the material was getting ripped off.

I justified that might be due to fact that organza is very weak or thin, also the one I have used was not organic (i.e. has polyeaster). Then I decided to use pure cotton instead and I was surprised to have the same result.

This was due to that firstly, the built plate was not calibrated and secondly some settings in Cura software need to be adjusted before exporting the gcode. I have calibrated the built plate and adjusted the settings from Cura as shown below.

Then I printed again!

  • Test with Felt

I have used aqua felt with PLA. However, after few minutes I noticed that the felt fabric is very soft and not flat from top side which resulted in a missed up adhesion with material.

I puased the print after observing few layers.

I changed the felt to another thicker and stiffer red felt and it worked perfectly.

The Results

3D Models

  • Islamic Pattern 1

Hexagonal Islamic Pattern by Eng_Tasneem1 on Sketchfab

  • Islamic Pattern 2

Octagonal Islamic Pattern by Eng_Tasneem1 on Sketchfab

  • Islamic Pattern 3

Islamic Pattern by Eng_Tasneem1 on Sketchfab

To download the files, check the Drive Folder. Also find the download files in (OS Circular Fashion)[https://oscircularfashion.com/project/-M-y9tPuEBOyynrZVjsu].