Via UFO-au:

Topostruct is a program for structural topology optimization written by Sawako Kaijima and Michalatos Panagiotis.  It’s development was influenced by the ideas and methods discussed in the book “Topology Optimization, Theory, Methods and Applications” written by M.P. Bendsoe and O. Sigmund.

The software is intended primarily towards designers and non engineers that want to familiarize with topology optimization as well as develop their intuition regarding the structural behaviour of materials.
Topostruct supports both two and three dimensional models.   The user will input the dimensions and resolution of an orthogonal region in space which will be assigned certain material density.  The user must then place different support conditions and applied loads within this region and finally run the optimizer which will yield a distribution of material that best meets these conditions.

Topostruct is available from kaijima & panagiotis’s website http://sawapan.eu/ which has a number of other generative design applets for download.

Tips on computational tools and fabrication equipment from students at Ball State.

Check out a couple of interesting entries on vray settings and lasercutting techniques.

“When you bend a thin strip of plywood you get an elastic and beautiful curve. What geometry does this curve follow? Is the curve different for different materials? Can the curve be calculated if you know the length of the material and the anchor points? Is it possible to calculate more complex situations with several forces in different directions? Can you make similar calculations in 3d? Can this geometry be useful in design/production?”

Mårten Nettelbladt, an architect from Stockholm attempts to answer in this blog.

via DigitAG&

…a systematic but flexible methodology aimed to improve educational practices through iterative analysis, design, development, and implementation, based on collaboration among researchers and practitioners in real-world settings, and leading to contextually-sensitive design principles and theories.

Wang, F., & Hannafin, M. J. (2005). Design-based research and technology-enhanced learning environments. Educational Technology Research and Development, 53(4), 5-23.

more here.