Parametric design and programming

The course builds on MASG2113 Parametric design and focuses on advanced parametric workflows, programming and optimisation - a tight integration between design, engineering and digital fabrication.

Topics:

1 Advanced parametric design (Rhino / Grasshopper)

Parametric modelling of multi-part products and structures. Structuring larger Grasshopper definitions, controlling parameter sets and exploring design variants.

2 Visual programming (Grasshopper)

Components of visual programming, advanced model flow, handling complex data structures, and robust input/output data flow. Strategies for organising and re-using Grasshopper definitions.

3 Python programming (Spyder / Grasshopper)

Structured and object-oriented Python programming for design and engineering tasks. Writing modular scripts that generate and manipulate geometry, including Python scripting inside Grasshopper and interaction with external libraries/APIs.

4 Parametric modelling and integration (Grasshopper + external tools)

Connecting parametric models to analysis and fabrication tools (e.g. BIM, FEA, robot simulation). Setting up data exchange between Grasshopper, simulation environments and offline robot programming tools.

5 Parametric optimisation and robot programming

Formulating design problems and performance objectives. Single- and multi-objective optimisation of parametric models. Introduction to parametric robot programming: translating parametric geometry and process parameters into robot paths, and evaluating robot-based manufacturing strategies.

After completing the course, you should be able to design, implement and document advanced parametric workflows for concept products and structures. These workflows will combine visual programming with structured Python programming, and can integrate analysis, optimisation and robot-based fabrication. You will learn to use parametric models to explore and evaluate design alternatives from several perspectives - structural performance, manufacturability, comfort, appearance, sustainability etc.

This means that you will have:

• Advanced knowledge of visual programming and parametric design
• Knowledge of parametric modelling and optimisation methods for engineering applications
• Extended knowledge of Python as a tool for geometry generation, simulation and (robot) process control

Furthermore, you will:

• Develop and optimise structures and products with improved performance (UN).
• Use digital tools to connect design, simulation and (where relevant) robot-based fabrication.
• Communicate advanced parametric design processes and results to peers and collaborators (UN)

Emphasis is placed ona) individual work in the first part of the course, andb) group work in the second part of the course.

Most lectures are provided as pre-recorded videos, and the scheduled on-campus hours are mainly used for student activities and project work.