Cellular Fabrication
The complexity of nature is the cellular labyrinthine inlay of a randomized network. “Chaos form Order”. When this network is broken down to the core, that definable entity with a form is what inspired Branch Technology to delve into Cellular Fabrication Free from 3D printing has always been something of a long pitch when technology is just into the phase of automated modeling, but Branch Technology has come up with an impressive solution combining the muscle of robotics and artistry of architecture, engineering a mechanism for “space printing” without any additional support. Art with the three-dimensional space as its canvas. Taking the construction mechanism to a new era, the soul of C-Fab is the patented free form 3D printing. Virtually this is mounted by the singular aspect of unlimited creativity that can be realized. During fabrication, the printer solidifies a mix of Carbon Fiber and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) in an open unsupported space as opposed to the conventional, heated, cooled, and layered thermoplastics. A 12.5 feet long robotic arm heads this printer attached to a 33 feet rail, creating 25 feet by 58 feet matrix of 3D space with a myriad of possibilities. “We have an algorithm that can generate geometry and robotic code to create this matrix that is very lightweight. We fit them together like big Lego blocks on-site, [and] then you apply construction materials on-site to become a wall assembly in the field.”
– Platt Boyd, CEO, Branch Technology
The efficiency to develop a potential long-standing structure in a nick of time is the most sought after in this era of architecture and construction. And C-Fab has the potential to stand this wish fulfilled. Currently, the enormity of its functioning is restricted to walls and roofs. To democratize this freedom of design, Branch Technology has initiated a competition of developing a 1200 to 1400 sqft house, winner bagging $10,000 starting September. The winner will have their design completely 3D printed by C-Fab Technology, a first of its kind.
By: Achyuthan Ramaswamy
