02Computational design & fabrication
University of Toronto · Master’s thesis
From a line of code to a physical system.
A computational design is only useful in fabrication if a machine can execute it. My thesis connected pattern generation, geometry processing and robotic movement in one parametric pipeline.
Illustrativeparametric study
Connect simple rules into a coherent structure.
Drag / arrow keys- custom line-based pattern generation
- Python
- Rhino & Grasshopper geometry processing
- CAD
- industrial cobot execution
- UR-10e
01The problem
Material use, structural logic and efficient machine movement pull a design in different directions. A visually compelling pattern also has to respect the reach and collision limits of the robotic arm.
02My contribution
- Developed custom, line-based pattern generation in Python.
- Automated geometry processing in Rhino and Grasshopper.
- Generated robot-ready toolpaths and executed them on a UR-10e industrial cobot.
- Tested outputs against reach and collision constraints while balancing material and movement efficiency.
03The result
A connected Python-to-CAD-to-robot workflow, carrying design rules through to executable movement. It required reasoning across software, geometry and physical constraints rather than treating each stage independently.
04The principle
The constraints belong inside the system. Connecting stages early makes it possible to see how a change in one place affects everything downstream.
The connected workflow
From one stage to the next.
01Generate patterns
Custom, line-based pattern generation in Python.
02Process geometry
Automated geometry processing in Rhino and Grasshopper.
03Check constraints
Test outputs against reach and collision constraints.
04Execute toolpaths
Generate robot-ready toolpaths and execute them on a UR-10e industrial cobot.
The interactive model on this site is an illustrative parametric study. It is not an original thesis model, a machine simulation or a fabrication-ready toolpath.