Unconventional Projects - How to Design Today…
How to Design Today…
For Example, a Chair
We specify the key parameters that the chair must meet: seat height, number of legs, overall width, and maximum load.
The algorithm generates dozens of variants.
Several of these are suitable for production (confirmed in practice).
The proposed shapes go beyond what designers might conceive in the standard process.
What results have we achieved?
Significantly reduced time to develop a new piece of furniture.
Increased creativity, diversity of options.
Uniqueness of the result, a form unprecedented to date.
Generative Design in the Service of Modern Engineering
How the Design Process
is Changing
Engineers have always sought tools to facilitate their work. These tools were meant to allow them to focus more on conceptual aspects rather than on tedious and repetitive tasks.
Long ago: Tools supported finding the optimal parameter (but without proposing a shape)
Some time ago: Tools allowed for the selection of optimal values that met specific criteria (still not creative)
Today: Biomimetic design → a computer system-embedded design process directly inspired by nature.
Today, computer programs are pushing the boundaries of modern design. Thanks to them, everyday objects in our homes have nice, anatomical shapes, and cars have futuristic yet streamlined lines.
Today, It Can Finally Be Produced
3D Printing Opens New Possibilities
PRODUCTION: physical possibility
A common question and concern used to be the physical possibility of producing the obtained shapes. Until now, the production of advanced, arbitrary shapes was impossible using traditional methods. Only with 3D printing technology, specifically Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), is it possible to create metal elements in any shape, even the most irregular ones. With the development of 3D printing, the shape of an element ceases to be a problem.
COST: the (un)real bareer?
Is currently, the cost of such a solution a barrier? For now, the price of an element produced with 3D printing technology is higher than that of traditional mass production. However, a total cost of ownership analysis may lead to different conclusions.
An example of such technology implementation is in Airbus. Using Generative Design, they created a new version of the aircraft cabin partition wall. The new construction was not only lighter but also more durable than the one previously used. The initial higher production costs were not a problem, as the costs quickly paid off when calculating how much less aviation fuel was consumed due to the reduction in the mass of just one part. It quickly became apparent that there are industries where traditional design methods had long since approached optimal solutions, and where reducing mass by every kilogram yields millions of dollars in savings, with further reductions possible only through the latest methods and capabilities. The aviation industry is a perfect example of this.
The use of Generative Design does not have to be limited to industry. New technologies always eventually find applications in unexpected areas. An example could be jewelry production. If metal powder can be sintered, then there is nothing to stop that metal from being gold or silver. This allows for the creation of entirely new jewelry designs, in shapes that could never have existed before. This is just one example of the innovative use of new technology.
Another example of new technology application is by Under Armour, which used the structure of material subjected to algorithms as a design element, not just as a way to optimize the appearance of their product. It must be acknowledged that the new model of their shoes, thanks to the use of Generative Design, looks very futuristic. One can only wonder what other applications for this technology will be developed in the future.
Forging Ahead: Innovate to Lead in Design
Embracing Innovation
The exploration of new technologies frequently sparks debates on their necessity and applicability. However, it's undeniable that these advancements are intricately linked, catalyzing revolutionary changes across all facets of life, often in ways that aren't immediately apparent. Every industry, from manufacturing and construction to media, is on a transformative journey, propelled by the newest solutions. This evolution fundamentally reshapes our engagement with technology, ushering in significant shifts in the landscape of major sectors.
The Pace of Change
The pace at which technology evolves and supersedes its predecessors is nothing short of remarkable. Technologies that were once the domain of science fiction are now seamlessly woven into the fabric of our daily lives. In this era of rapid advancement, the key to maintaining a competitive edge lies in embracing and adapting to change. Engineers and constructors, in particular, are at the forefront of this shift, with the potential to drive unprecedented innovation in design and construction. Those who hesitate to explore and integrate new methodologies risk not just falling behind but becoming obsolete in the face of ever-changing market dynamics and competition.
