College students design and 3D print complex spider joint systems
Pure Essential Oil,Essential Oil,Aromatherapy Oils,Grape Seed Oil Ji'An ZhongXiang Natural Plants Co.,Ltd. , https://www.zxessentialoil.com
Nazmul Azim Khan, a second-year student majoring in computer design at New South Wales, recently completed a fascinating project in his digital design course. The task involved creating a conceptual panel made from acrylic plastic that could be assembled using a spider joint system. This innovative approach not only showcased his technical skills but also demonstrated his creativity in combining traditional materials with modern technology.
The spider joint system, which is an external structural solution, relies on bolted glass grilles to connect different parts of the structure. What makes this project unique is the complexity of the spider joints—each one has at least 15 legs. However, thanks to 3D printing technology, such intricate designs are now more achievable than ever before. This allowed Nazmul to experiment with various configurations and ensure precision in every detail.
To bring his vision to life, Nazmul used Rhino software along with its plug-in, Grasshopper. Grasshopper is a visual scripting tool that enables users to build models while writing code, making it ideal for complex projects like this. According to him, the most challenging part wasn’t the coding itself, but rather the actual design process—balancing aesthetics with structural integrity.
A key element of the project was ensuring that the connections between the spider joints and the panels were seamless. “I wanted the connection to be as simple as possible without exposing any nuts or bolts,†he explained. To achieve this, he opted for screws and expansion bolts. By inserting the expansion bolt into the 3D-printed spider joint and then screwing it in place, he ensured a clean and secure fit.
The current design measures 10 x 10 meters, but due to its parametric nature, it can easily be adapted to fit different spaces. Adjusting parameters like panel size and curvature automatically generates new spider joint models, showcasing the flexibility of the design. The only non-3D-printed component in the entire assembly is the screw, which highlights how much of the project is driven by digital fabrication.
Khan’s project has already caught the attention of the computer design community, who see it as their next big challenge. They plan to create a full-scale installation of the digital model as the final test of the design’s feasibility. Initially, only a few joints were printed for testing and display, but the ultimate goal is to construct a complete panel surface that functions as a building structure.
“We have already secured a booth space, and we plan to adjust the size and shape of the panel next month to fit the space,†Khan shared. This shows how adaptable and scalable the design is, making it suitable for real-world applications.
Digital modeling played a crucial role in evaluating the spider joints and truss systems. One of the key decisions was to reinforce the spider joints with truss systems inspired by structures like the Sydney Harbour Bridge. While the original design featured straight lines and rectangles, introducing curves and rotating the truss systems gave the structure a dynamic and fluid appearance. This balance between form and function is what makes the design so visually appealing.
The ability to quickly generate physical models through 3D printing gave the team confidence in the final assembly. “The performance of the spider joints met our expectations, which was a big relief,†Nazmul said. “The risk of assembly failure is quite high, especially when working with tight tolerances of just 1mm.†To minimize errors, they printed multiple prototypes and tested them to ensure they fit perfectly with the panel and remained strong.
Overall, this project demonstrates the power of digital design and 3D printing in creating complex, functional, and aesthetically pleasing structures. It’s a great example of how technology can push the boundaries of traditional design and open up new possibilities for future projects.