Tag: Looking Outwards Week 3

Shariq M. Shah – Looking Outwards 03

Neri Oxmann and MIT, in this project, explore the intersection of biomimetics, digital fabrication, and material properties. Bio-composites, cellulose, chitosan, and pectin, which are among some of the most abundant organic materials, are digitally fabricated to dynamically respond to changes in heat and humidity. There is an interesting relationship between digital and computational processes and highly organic matter that both intersect to develop something that is neither clearly computational nor organic. However, it is clear that the use of such techniques allows for an architecture that is deeply engaged with natural conditions. Although the process that  creates the artifact is highly calibrated and computational, the result is something that, as a system, behaves and performs like an organic structure. A challenge of this process seems to be quantifying and measuring that which is highly nuanced: natural materials. Many systems in nature are highly complex, and the implementation of digital fabrication techniques into such nuanced systems could prove to be difficult.

https://www.archdaily.com/894979/neri-oxman-and-mit-develop-programmable-biocomposites-for-digital-fabrication

Ammar Hassonjee – Looking Outwards 03

Computer Aided Knitting by MIT CSAIL

Pictures of various knit garments using computational techniques.

The CSAIL lab at MIT recently completed a new project that develops systems for streamlining the process of automating knit garments. One of the systems developed is called “InverseKnit” in which photographs of knitted patterns are analyzed using a program to create instructions for robots to fabricate clothing.

According to the CSAIL website, researchers first started by creating a dataset of knitting instructions/patterns and then programmed a network to interpret these images into rules that can be used to fabricate clothing items such as a sock.

Video showing how the machine operates.

What I admire about this project is its goal to revolutionize an age old process of knitting and apply algorithims in order to streamline this process we’ve been using for thouasands of years to make clothes. The real world application of this project is incredible as it can potentially reduce the manufacturing cost of clothes by so much. I think the algorithms used are image based processors that use the knitting image patterns as inputs and then analyze the geometry in the patterns. The original intent of the project was acheived as the creators sought to craft a simple and straightforward knitting machine that fabricates with accuracy, and they accomplished that.