デジタル・マテリアルを用いた分解組立可能な立体形状試作システム(<特集>デジタルファブリケーションとVR)

抄録

In this paper, a lo-fi prototyping system using digital materials is proposed. After 3D printing and CNC milling machine became popularized, we can achieve physical form easily by them, but can't build structures more precise than the accuracy of the machine itself. Besides, it requires many processes on recycling. By using digital materials, we can build reconfigurable 3D structures, and we can build structures more precise than the accuracy of the machine itself. In previous researches about digital material, its assembly couldn't be repeated and reversed smoothly. If we can design a digital material like this, it can be used as a lo-fi prototyping system for city or space design instead of using LEGO blocks. After considering the reversible assembly, we designed the digital material, "Kelvin Block" that applies magnetic force for assembly and disassembly. A "3D assembler" is developed for picking and dropping Kelvin Blocks automatically. It accelerates the prototyping speed and the building process will be more stable than other digital fabrication tools. In this way, we are able to make lo-fi prototype for the city or space design more rapid and stable.