The Digital Touch - Towards novel modeling frameworks for robotically-enhanced marble sculpting

Abstract

In this paper, two case studies on digital modeling for robotically-enabled marble carving are presented. In the first one, an interactive, gesture-based modeling framework was developed to sculpt a large, undulating and ultra-thin marble surface. On the second one, an integrated 3D-scanning-to-milling solution was created, in order to groove a superficial pattern on the surface of a discarded marble boulder. The cases evidence the power of tangible interaction to serve as input to novel digitally-aided marble sculpting processes, and the capacity of integrated generative design workflows to create consistent solutions to variable conditions, in this case, with a particular focus on sustainability and reclaiming of scrap materials.