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imFAB [incremental metal fabrication]
Project details
Programme
Research Cluster
RC2
imFAB [incremental metal fabrication] is an architectural product company that provides a synthesis of services including digitally fabricated products, application designs, and construction.
Founded upon innovative fabrication techniques, imFAB products specialise in dwelling and infrastructure applications that integrate architectural services, cost-efficient manufacturing processed, customisable modular design, fast-assembly, and self-stable and volumetric stack approaches. imFAB is closely aligned with and complementary to robotic fabrication, computational design, and distributed project delivery methods to bring prefabricated products directly to the terminal market. The company offers a variety of design solutions through standard modular kits and a game-engine based customisation platform to meet broad contextual demands.
The project has three core sectors that conduct specific roles in the context of the digitally fabricated architecture and form a linear company service process. These sectors include: technology research and product invention; application design and customisation consulting; prefabrication and distributed delivery.
[www.imFAB.uk]
Group Students
01
Robotic ISF and Fabrication Technologies
Robotic Incremental Sheet Forming
Robotic Incremental Sheet Forming
Incremental sheet forming technology (ISF) shapes flat metal sheet into various forms using robotics. In comparison to conventional milling or casting methods, the process far more productive and cost-friendly as the products made by robotic ISF do not require any mould or die. This particular technology is capable of fabricating wide variations and large quantities in non-repeating complex geometries.
Fabrication Process
The metal mould fabrication is motivated by the Guastavino vault technique and the thin-shell structures of the last century, both of which have been hampered due to high-costs and demanding crafting techniques. imFAB seeks cost-efficient and low labour intensity technologies to complement the shell architecture language by integrating robotic fabrication, smart manufacturing processes, and prefabricated sandwich panel systems.
Robotic Metal Incremental Sheet Forming (ISF)
Polystyrene Insulation Application
Shotcrete and Finishing
02
Architectural Products
imFAB Product Playlist
imFAB Product Playlist
Four separate architectural components – a self-sustained canopy, acoustic ceiling, space divider, and way-finding floor – were developed by investigating their functions, geometrical features, aesthetics, and associated fabrication technologies. Each product has particular material specifications and a slightly different fabrication process that embodies the design features and architectural qualities.
Canopy Pattern
Canopy Pattern
Product Construction Detail
Product Technical Sheet
Assembly of imFAB Architectural Products
03
Architectural Application and Customisation
imFAB Residential Retreat Construction
Instead of bringing the products to the market individually, imFAB currently supplies three completed applications, including a residential retreat, a market, and a camping resort. The applications are offered as either a standard modular kit or a customised design. The standard modular kits can be purchased off-shelf while customisation allows for bespoke product amendments.
ImFAB Configurator
ImFAB Configurator
An online configuration platform, developed through game-engine technology, allows users to visually specify the quantity and aggregation of product kits. This platform also provides flexibility in choosing product combination, material specification, etc.
imFAB Market Infrastructure
Aerial View of imFAB Market Infrastructure
ImFAB Product & Application Brochure
04
Architectural Planning and Design Generator
ImFAB Camping Resort Planning
ImFAB Camping Resort Planning
Design Algorithm
A design generator algorithm is used for planning the imFAB camping site to avoid overpopulation. The algorithm applies rules to an infinite, two-dimensional grid of voxels to deploy the voxels and architectural kits evenly across site. The algorithm also allows for manual inputs, such as the provision of courtyards or common areas on site, in order to adapt to different site constrains or an evolving context over the time.
Algorithm-Generated Planning and Product Aggregation
View of imFAB’s Camping Resort
The Bartlett
B-Pro & Autumn Shows 2020
27 November – 11 December 2020
B-Pro & Autumn Shows 2020
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