SYNOPSISGlass II, or G3DP2, is a high-
fidelity, large-scale, additive
manufacturing technology for
3D-printing optically transparent
glass structures at architectural
dimensions. This enabling
technology builds upon previous
e ff o r t s (s e e p r e v i o u s p a g e).
G3DP2 transcends its predecessor
by restructuring the machine’s
architecture and process control
o p e r a t i o n s a s i n f o r m e d b y m a t e r i a l
properties and behaviours of
silicate glass to 3D-print
building components with tunable
and predictable mechanical and
optical properties.DESCRIPTIONThis new manufacturing platform
includes a digitally integrated
thermal control system as well
as a novel four-axis motion control
system permitting flow control,
spatial accuracy and precision,
and faster production rates with
continuous deposition of up to
3 0 k g o f m o l t e n g l a s s.To demonstrate Glass II’s
capabilities, The Mediated
Matter Group presented an
installation for the Lexus Yet
Show at Milan Design Week 2017.
The installation comprised a
series of 3m-tall glass columns.
Each column’s unique and constantly
changing surface created a
unique caustic footprint that
corresponded to its mechanical
properties. Given their geometric
complexity and dynamic optical
properties, the columns acted as
large lenses that could concentrate
o r d i s p e r s e l i g h t f r o m w i t h i n o r
outside the glass surface.The computational framework used
t o g e n e r a t e e a c h c o l u m n’s f o r m
was influenced by the constraints of
the manufacturing platform and
structural system, demonstrating
the ability to 3D-print a wide range
o f s h a p e s d e t e r m i n e d b y d e s i r e d
mechanical and optical properties.
For example, the higher the load,
the greater the surface area of
a column in plan view, the greater
the number of lobes desired, the
tighter the turning radius required
for their 3D-printing, and hence
contributing to the geometric
expression of the caustics. Each
column was fitted with a dynamic
i n t e r n a l l i g h t i n g s y s t e m p r o g r a m m e d
t o t r a v e l u p a n d d o w n t h e c o l u m n ,
generating a large caustic
footprint with kaleidoscope-like
patterns. The caustics were the
sums of light rays reflected and
refracted dynamically by the curved
surface of the printed column over
the surrounding walls. Two dark-
mirrored surfaces were mounted on
the facing end walls defining the
space, reflecting the row of columns
and creating the illusion of
an infinite array of ‘light totems’
fading into darkness... a starry
night of ‘cosmic caustics’.CREDITSResearch and design by The Mediated
Matter group at the MIT Media Lab,
in collaboration with Lexus,
Pentagram, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger,
Front Inc, MIT Central Machine Shop,
Almost Perfect Glass (AKA APG).
Mediated Matter researchers
include Chikara Inamura, Michael
S t e r n , D a n i e l L i z a r d o, Ta l A c h i t u v,
Tomer Weller, Owen Trueblood, Nassia
Inglessis, Giorgia Franchin, Kelly
Donovan, Peter Houk, and group
director Neri Oxman.3D-printed transparent glass
products showcasing geometrical
tunability and fidelityPhotography: Paula Aguilera and
Jonathan Williams. Courtesy of
Neri Oxman and The Mediated Matter
Group, MIT Media LabAbove, the top and bottom modules of
the five-petal glass column designed
and constructed by The Mediated
Matter Group for the Lexus Yet Show
at the 2017 Milan Design WeekRight, the Glass II installation
in Milan, with the 3D-printed glass
columns creating star-shaped
caustic patterns on the groundPhotography: Paula Aguilera and
Jonathan Williams. Courtesy
of Neri Oxman and The Mediated
Matter Group, MIT Media LabGLASS II
2017Matter
GlassMedia
3D-printed glass322 ∑
Neri Oxman