Description

Ovenbird is a Grasshopper plugin for creating shell printing (also known as surface printing) toolpaths and GCodes. The method of shell printing is typically used by architectural scale concrete 3D printing to reduce waste. The goal of Ovenbird is to streamline the toolpathing process between design and production. Its functions can be summarized in three aspects: (1) Single-material printing. It enables auto-oriented, non-parallel slicing for material extrusion 3D printing with post-slicing optimization features with the generation of GCodes and visualization functions. (2) Continuous printing. It enables slicing for continuous printing with a minimal number of on-and-offs accompanied by topological analysis. (3) Multi-material printing. It enables slicing and optimization for multi-material printing through a singular-nozzle multi-cartridge system with the generation of GCodes and visualization functions.

The plugin is named after red ovenbirds (Furnarius rufus), who build shell nests by gradually depositing mud, similar to the process of concrete 3D printing. We share ovenbirds’ vision of printing our own houses.