Rapid Freeze Prototyping
Rapid freeze prototyping, developed by Researchers at the University of Missouri-Rolla, is the process of rapid prototyping using water as the base material. The process involves a technique that sprays droplets of water layer-by-layer in a freezing chamber. This process has been applied to make ice objects and casts for complicated molds, which melt away from the object after casting. The process has also been flagged as a possible interest to the medical field, as transparent models which allow interior details are valuable in helping a surgeon map out a procedure. Researchers vaunt the low-cost of ice prototypes, as well as the environmental benefits of using water in comparison to other deposition materials. But for us, translating the techniques into architectural scale production remains the final goal.
CNC Milling
If rapid prototyping is an additive process, creating three-dimensional object through accretion of very thin layers, CNC milling is subtractive. CNC milling takes a three dimensional model, and translates the digital form into a cutting pattern to remove mass from the original block according to the desired shape. The ice architecture team plans to use large blocks of ice inside a CNC machine to create ice sculptures, perhaps even to mill large bricks that could be assembled into a wall by a larger robot.
References:
- Advice in Ice “Understanding CNC Technology”
Overview of CNC machines as applied to ice. - Asiabanpour, B. , Khoshnevis, B. Machine path generation for the SIS process. Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, v 20, n 3, June 2004, 167-75
- Leaverton, Michael. No men at work. Concrete Construction - World of Concrete, v 49, n 7, July, 2004, p 56-58
- Khoshnevis, Behrokh. Automated construction by contour crafting - Related robotics and information technologies. Automation in Construction, (2004) 13, n 1, January, 2004, p 5-19
Rapid Prototyping Links
- Wai, Hon Wah. RP in art and conceptual design. Rapid Prototyping Journal (2001):7(4) 217-219.
A brief overview of Rapid Prototyping employed as a design aid.
References for rapid freeze prototyping:
- Bryant, FD, Sui G., and Leu MC. A Study on effects of process parameters in rapid freeze prototyping. Rapid Prototyping Journal 9.1 (2003): 19-23.
- Feng, Chao, Yan, Shuangjing, Zhang, Renji, and Yan, Yongnian. Heat transfer analysis of rapid ice prototyping process by finite element method
- Liu, Q., G. Sui, M. C. Leu, Experimental Study On The Ice Pattern Fabrication For The Investment Casting By Rapid Freeze Prototyping (RFP), Computers in Industry- an international application oriented research journal, 2002,48(3): 181-197
- Liu, Q. and Ming C. Leu. Investigation of interface agent for investment casting with ice patterns. Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering, Transactions of the ASME, v 128, n 2, May, 2006, p 554-562.
- Sui, Guanghua, and Leu, M.C. Investigation of layer thickness and surface roughness in rapid freeze prototyping. Transactions of the ASME. Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering, v 125, n 3, Aug. 2003, 556-63
- Sui, Guanghua, and Leu, M.C. Thermal analysis of ice walls built by rapid freeze prototyping. Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering, Transactions of the ASME , v 125, n 4, November, 2003, p 824-834
- Zhang, W., Ming C. Leu, Zhiming Ji, and Yongnian Yan, Rapid freezing prototyping with water.