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Tunable optical properties with non-planar 3D printing for polymer facades
Previous research has explored the relationship between layer morphology and optical properties in 3DP facades. It was found that the layer aspect ratio and the quality of the layer interfaces affect the amount of light transmission through a part and determine angle-dependent behavior. These effects can be leveraged to design and fabricate building facades with tunable optical properties, responding to specific climate and user requirements.
**We are looking for**
A student with an interest in 3D printing and innovative building components. Familiarity with parametric design and coding is required; previous experience with 3D printing is a plus.
**We are looking for** A student with an interest in 3D printing and innovative building components. Familiarity with parametric design and coding is required; previous experience with 3D printing is a plus.
The objective of this project is to expand the existing knowledge by exploring the possibilities of non-planar 3D printing to obtain tunable optical properties in 3DP facades. The opportunity to print layers differently oriented toward the incoming light enables an additional design dimension for achieving climate-specific optical properties.
**Methodology and Tools**
The envisioned methodology encompasses:
- Parametric modeling: Generate design geometries and fabrication data for 3D printing using an iterative approach informed by performance and fabrication objectives
- Multiscale raytracing: Simulate the interactions between light and 3D-printed layers at the mm-scale and evaluate the daylighting performance of 3D-printed facades
- Robotic 3D printing: Fabricate small-scale samples using non-planar 3D printing. Test and showcase the ability to control light transmission through the manipulation of the printing path.
Raytracing, daylight simulation, and non-planar slicing scripts have already been developed and will be made available.
**Expected Outcomes**
The development of a parametric design workflow to design, assess, and fabricate elements with tailored optical properties (e.g., climate-specific cut-off angle, user view out). The fabrication of prototypes showcasing performance-informed design principles using a robotic 3D printing setup.
The objective of this project is to expand the existing knowledge by exploring the possibilities of non-planar 3D printing to obtain tunable optical properties in 3DP facades. The opportunity to print layers differently oriented toward the incoming light enables an additional design dimension for achieving climate-specific optical properties.
**Methodology and Tools** The envisioned methodology encompasses:
- Parametric modeling: Generate design geometries and fabrication data for 3D printing using an iterative approach informed by performance and fabrication objectives - Multiscale raytracing: Simulate the interactions between light and 3D-printed layers at the mm-scale and evaluate the daylighting performance of 3D-printed facades - Robotic 3D printing: Fabricate small-scale samples using non-planar 3D printing. Test and showcase the ability to control light transmission through the manipulation of the printing path.
Raytracing, daylight simulation, and non-planar slicing scripts have already been developed and will be made available.
**Expected Outcomes** The development of a parametric design workflow to design, assess, and fabricate elements with tailored optical properties (e.g., climate-specific cut-off angle, user view out). The fabrication of prototypes showcasing performance-informed design principles using a robotic 3D printing setup.