Softbody Simulated Joint Research

A small research project which investigates how FEM Model soft body dynamics can be used to intuitively design joints that can be snapped in position. The aspect of flexibility would be the next logical step and of course perfecting the numerous variables and parameters that result in a nice recipe for beautiful and intrinsically designed table joints. This project was in collaboration with Antonio Barney Jesus. This research was part of Frame Moebel. Frame Moebel is a creative class that explores the possibilities of spaces frames in furniture design. Over the course of three weeks, students team up in groups of two to develop form finding algorithms for space frame table designs and explore parametrically the formal and aesthetic possibilities of additive manufactured joints. ​ Some areas of exploration include super lightweight structures, material gradients, structural gradients for flexible forms, hyper-redundant mesh structures, spring models and machine learning. Prototyping of full scale nodes took place in 3d printers, which were assembled by the students. ​ By the end of the course each team fabricated a full scale model of their table design, showcasing a variety of possible forms and geometrical ingenuity in the design of the connections.