Sono Textures
An Exploration of Audio-Generated 3D Printed Toolpaths
Sono-Textures is an audio-processing technique that maps audio frequencies to toolpaths for 3D printing. Lower frequencies begin at the bottom of the print and ascend toward higher frequencies at the top of the print. A column of points on the print represents a moment in time in the audio recording beginning at the start of the print. Time is read around the circumference of the clay artifact.
The premise of our concept is that for each frequency group, low sounds are represented by small articulations in the clay pattern. Conversely, louder sounds are represented by larger articulations in the clay pattern. The research seeks to produce printed frequency patterns in clay artifacts that transmit a degree of legibility through a visual correlation of patterns to the audio recording from which the frequency data is derived. The realization of this concept necessitated the development of a new digital workflow utilizing a set of system variables for mapping frequencies to toolpaths that did not exist previously.
Rhino + Grasshopper
The CSV file is read into Grasshopper and the numerical values for each frequency band are remapped to a predetermined amplitude range which has been established during the pattern library testing phase. The remapped numbers are then applied to predetermined toolpath layers and the gcode is saved for printing.
Surface Explorations
This preliminary phase allowed us to explore the possibilities in which clay can mold
itself around a specific geometry. In this case, this surface treatment made us question
certain geometric manipulations that we can take forward to the final proposal.
itself around a specific geometry. In this case, this surface treatment made us question
certain geometric manipulations that we can take forward to the final proposal.
Toolpath Explorations
In the following phase, we aimed to explore the possibilities that robotic clay printing
can provide with regard to toolpaths. Being able to manipulate the toolpath allowed
us to generate various types of textures and smaller geometries that contribute to the
complexity of the final piece.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Sono-Textures has been part of the course SCI6317: Material Systems: Digital Media and Fabrication at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. The research was under the guidance of Nathan King, Senior Industry Engagement Manager at Autodesk and Lecturer in Architecture at Harvard GSD, and Zach Seibold Lecturer in Architecture at Harvard GSD and Research Associate with the Material Processes and Systems (MaP+S) Group. Further support was possible by Kathy King, Director of the Harvard Ceramics Program, and Gabby Perry, Teaching Assistant for SCI6317.
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