Environment-Scale Fabrication

Abstract

Despite rapid advances in 3D printing, fabricating large, durable and robust artifacts is impractical with current technology. We focus on a particularly challenging environmentscale artifact: rock climbing routes. We propose a prototype fabrication method to replicate part of an outdoor climbing route and enable the same sensorimotor experience in an indoor gym. We start with 3D reconstruction of the rock wall using multi-view stereo and use reference videos of a climber in action to identify localized rock features that are necessary for ascent. We create 3D models akin to traditional indoor climbing holds, fabricated using rapid prototyping, molding and casting techniques. This results in robust holds accurately replicating the features and configuration of the original rock route. Validation was performed on two rock climbing sites in New Hampshire and Utah. We verified our results by comparing climbers moves on the indoor replicas and original outdoor routes.

Occluded-Object 3D Reconstruction Using Camera Array Synthetic Aperture Imaging

“…Whiting et al. [11] used multiview stereo and the reference videos of a climber in action to reconstruct the rock wall.…”

“…In this paper, we propose a novel method to reconstruct occluded objects based on SAI. Based on the characteristics of SAI, the proposed method can be applied in many areas with occlusion, such as occluded-object reconstruction in indoor and outdoor scene, rock climbing routes reconstruction [11], etc. Depending on the number of camera views in the camera array, the proposed algorithm only requires a few images involved.…”

Indoor replication of outdoor climbing routes: fidelity analysis of digital manufacturing workflow

“…AM for climbing has already been partially discussed in the literature. In particular, a study was conducted to replicate, through photogrammetry [14], the more challenging section of an outdoor route in a climbing gym using traditional holds [15]. The authors converted the regions used by the climber on the actual rocky route into climbing holds, much like those found in indoor climbing gyms.…”

“…Also in this case, 3D printing is used to manufacture the mould rather than the final product. Thus, the AM potentials of customisation and design flexibility are not extensively used in both cases [15,16].…”

“…Therefore, this research aims to provide a simple, repeatable process that can faithfully recreate an entire or a section of a climbing route for indoor gyms. In contrast to [15], where a casting method was employed to create a rock wall replica, the current research proposes a feasibility study to determine whether using AM technology in climbing is practicable. This research focuses on the techniques and methods utilised for 3D scanning and AM of a rock replica to reproduce a rock face, particularly emphasising the uncertainty quantification of an AM machine and a 3D scanner.…”