MID Digital Fabrication Workshop at Bächer & Bergmann

Digital tools and methods dominate large parts of design, development, simulation and communication processes in architectural design today. In advanced studios architectural projects are already developed predominatly with 3D models. One goal of the MID program is to establish a smooth workflow between architects, project developers, engineers and clients through a real-time, simultaneous project development environment. In this context many sense-making processes can be shifted to an early stage of the project due to integrated and automated simulation techniques which, in best case, leads to a more transparent project development and design process.

Kuka Wrapping: KUKA Workshop at ETH with Tom Pawlofsky, Manuel Kretzer, Oliver Fritz, Sebastian Bächer in 2012
The module ‘S8 Digital Fabrication’ provides the connection and potential of computer-controlled production processes in combination with rule-based design and construction methods. The focus is based on understanding and apply the possibilities of a CNC-assisted production. Fundamental parts of the module are:
- Restrictions and possibilities of CNC machines
- Synthetic potentials in CNC-manufacturing and traditional craft manufacturing processes
- The anatomy of G-Code (from a CNC Cutter to KUKA)
- Recognition and use of performative material properties in the context of digital production
The modul is divided in two workshops. In the first workshop the students will develop, model and fabricate a folded Cardboard structure as a 1:1 installation on the Campus. The second workshop will address the basic understanding of the control of a 7 axisKUKA industrial robot and its possible applications in architecture.
Supervision Robot Workshop
Benjamin Kemper M.A. (TU Delft)
The Workshop is kindly supported by Bächer & Bergmann GmbH, Cologne, the Kuka 7-axis robot and several tools is kindly provided by programmer and designer Tom Pawlofski.