Towards Fabrication Information Modeling (FIM): Four Case Models to Derive Designs informed by Multi-Scale Trans-Disciplinary Data

Abstract

Despite recent advancements in digital fabrication and manufacturing, limitations associated with computational tools are preventing further progress in the design of non-standard architectures. This paper sets the stage for a new theoretical framework and an applied approach for the design and fabrication of geometrically and materially complex functional designs coined Fabrication Information Modeling (FIM). We demonstrate systems designed to integrate form generation, digital fabrication, and material computation starting from the physical and arriving at the virtual environment. The paper reviews four computational strategies for the design of custom systems through multi-scale trans-disciplinary data, which are classified and ordered by the level of overlap between the modeling media and the fabrication media: (1) the first model takes as input biological data and outputs 3D printed digital materials organized according to functional constraints; (2) the second model takes as input geometry and environmental data and outputs robotically wound fibers organized according to functional constraints; (3) the third model takes as input material and environmental data and outputs CNC deposited pastes organized according to functional constraints; (4) the forth model takes as input biological, material and environmental data and outputs robotically deposited polymers organized according to functional constraints. The analysis of these models will demonstrate the FIM approach and point towards its value to designers who seek to inform their work through multi-scale transdisciplinary data, a capability that is currently missing from standard design-to-fabrication workflows.

A Review on Functionally Graded Materials and Structures via Additive Manufacturing: From Multi‐Scale Design to Versatile Functional Properties

“…Although most designers are familiar with the modeling of complex geometries, they may lack of experience using virtual software to design non‐geometrical parameters (i.e., material properties, reactions, and compatibility). Duro‐Royo and Oxman [ 59 ] presented a fabrication information modeling (FIM) approach to stress the importance of providing information regarding geometries and material properties across length scales and disciplines. The following sections provide a brief description of existing design methodologies for material compositions.…”

Fabricate 2020

“…Advanced digitally-controlled robotic manufacturing builds upon these processes through automation and increased precision but fundamentally still relies on machines to provide the shaping force and logic. Self-shaping systems where shape is generated from physical material programming to actuate based on external stimuli have already been developed at much smaller scales for medical applications, micro robotic applications, and meso-scale mechanisms with a wide range of functions (Studart and Erb, 2014;Tibbits, 2014;Duro-Royo and Oxman, 2015;Wang et al, 2017;Kara et al, 2018;Kotikian et al, 2019). In architecture, similar principles have been applied for self-regulating façade systems that respond continuously to changes in the environment such as temperature and moisture (Correa et al, 2013;Holstov et al, 2015;Sung, 2016;Correa and Menges, 2017;Vailati et al, 2017Vailati et al, , 2018Poppinga et al, 2018).…”

Parametric chemistry reverse engineering biomaterial composites for additive manufacturing of bio-cement structures across scales

“…Novel bio-composites developed by our team are inspired by natural shell structures-integrating organic and inorganic materials-derived from our previous research into composite hierarchical constructs (Mogas-Soldevila, Duro-Royo, et al 2015). The resulting properties of digitally deposited and structured materials will inform further design and development associated with the WDF, enabling extended extrusion capabilities, as well as novel biological integration within the fabrication platform.…”