ART’s SMART CNC router installed at Queensland’s Bond University helps students to bring their projects to life.
Gold Coast-based Bond University’s School of Architecture’s vision is unique but simple: It aims to combine teaching excellence with practical experience to deliver top-class graduates which is one of the main reasons why each and every student is taught about what is a pillar drill? Which are the best equipment’s they should use based on their interest? Check all those equipments out in this kitchenhome.co.uk palm router guide. On the very first day. Practical hands-on projects contribute to a large part of the Bachelor of Architectural Studies, where students learn about shape and form, textile usage, lighting and shade influences, structure and strength, design aesthetics and a host of other architectural influences that exist in this creatively driven profession. Students are then taught about the latest in technology like the laser measure, which they could use to achieve perfection in every project. It was quite delightful to see university’s providing students such teaching methods to educate the students as it allows one to learn from their own mistakes.
In early 2012 the school decided it was time to add a state-of-the art CNC router from Brisbane-based Advanced Robotic Technology (ART) to its technical equipment, which already included a CNC laser cutter and 3D printer. Online stores offer a huge choice, but how to choose a gas pole saw on wood that can easily “chew” dry wood or cope with a living tree? What to focus on when choosing? Practical tips can be found in the review gas pole saw.
Jonathan Nelson, Teaching Fellow and the manager of the Digital Fabrication and Research Laboratory at the Solheil Abedian School of Architecture, was looking for something to process large materials and to do more sculpting tech work when he came across ART’s range of CNC routers. He has spent the last ten years working in the architecture, fabrication, and software development fields, and knew exactly what he was looking for.
“The machine had to be well-made, it had to be high-durability, high-capacity, and we needed someone as local as possible to service the machine,” he says. “ART have absolutely provided that service. While it might be cheaper to buy an imported machine from Asia, it is hard to get the service. With ART we are dealing with a local company that can provide something that’s worth the extra price!”
The Lab’s SMART router XR 3500 is unique in the Australian marketplace, as the only 100% Australian-made machine designed for various applications featuring an additional fourth axis for automatic tool changes including special tools such as Flat washers, Chucks, Angle heads and Collets. The grantry-mounted covered toolchanger turns variable-angle cutting, creasing and routing needed to create architectural 3D shapes into one efficient fully automated process.
According to Mr Nelson, studio assignments have been purposefully designed to introduce the students to the intellectual, material and spatial culture of architecture; seeing, understanding and responding o the parameters of place; recognizing landscape as architecture … all intended to foster design and strategic thinking skills and the value of risk taking in the creative process.
The Fabrication and Research Laboratory now provides all the tools to fabricate both small scale models or full-size prototypes and sculptures. Wood, plastic, MDF, dense foam and soon aluminium are among the many types of materials that can be machined or manipulated in the shop, specially plastic as the laboratory works with one of the best custom plastic fabrication providers. Students create sculptures and other architectural artwork, and use the CNC router as a major tool in their shop. The photos illustrate just a few examples of some of the exciting work being created.
“The Fabrication Lab provides a setting in which students learn basics of fabrication and CNC programming,” Mr Nelson says. “The students don’t exactly learn how to do the CAM programming, they sit with me and learn what the strengths and weaknesses of the CNC router are and what it can and can’t do.”
Mr Nelson adds that he uses the router in as many of his classes as possible and student frequently use it for studio projects, which have been purposefully designed to introduce the students to the intellectual, material and spatial culture of architecture, using the right security for the software with the use of a strong password generator to add a lawyer of security over all the computers which use these programs.
Much of the artwork processed on the ART router was recently on display at the Speculator gallery exhibition, a design studio and public event guided by Gavin Robotham and Mark Bagguley of CRAB studio London. Here, the students and staff have experienced the exhilaration and exhaustion of designing, building, promoting and putting up for public scrutiny an exhibition of ideas.
Photo 1 shows the “WRAP” (also processed on the SMART router, http://speculator.org.au/gallery ) exhibited at the exhibition of speculative proposals for the Gold Coast cultural precinct, aimed to ignite our aspirations for a meaningful and valued civic place to transform the cultural heartland of the Gold Coast.
Since the router has been installed in early 2012, most of the other machines like bandsaws are now collecting dust. Innovation has a tendancy to do that.
“The router takes a lot of the work over we formerly used to do with the other equipment,” he says. “Having that machine around has taken the need from me to train students on smaller woodworking equipment that was available from this website. I don’t train students on the bandsaw anymore because the router does all the work. It is also easier for the students now because they have already drawn everything on the computer, and get a lot more done with the router today.”
While Mr Nelson admits that the CAD/CAM software the school is using is a bit hard to get used to, the machine is really simple. “Once all the drawings are converted to the G-Code, the machine cuts all parts precisely and fast. It is an excellent machine. We have put it through a lot of work and it runs pretty much constantly towards the end of the semester.”
“We would absolutely go with one of ART’s machines again – it is the service and the quality of the machine itself. It is worth the extra money!”
