Robotic Fabrication of Spherical Joints for Freeform Structures
摘要
In contemporary architecture, freeform designs have become increasingly important due to their complex geometries and the need for innovative approaches to structural assembly. These forms often require specific panelization or tessellation techniques to ensure their stability, relying on underlying substructures to connect and support the elements. The fabrication of joints for such freeform structures poses significant challenges, particularly when components intersect at irregular angles. Existing solutions, such as cubical connectors, face limitations in terms of precision and aesthetics, highlighting the need for new approaches to improve both the functional and aesthetic aspects of freeform architectural designs. This paper explores the use of spherical connectors for freeform wooden substructures, focusing on the fabrication of these connectors using robotic systems. The spherical geometry simplifies the fabrication process by ensuring that holes for the connectors are always drilled perpendicular to the surface, eliminating the potential for drilling misalignment and additional angular calculations. This research aims to provide a novel solution for the fabrication of joints in freeform structures, improving both the efficiency and aesthetic integration of the joints within the overall design.