Systems and methods for construction of space-truss structures

Abstract

Systems and methods for construction of space-truss structures are described herein. In some embodiments, software is provided that includes a design module for providing a three-dimensional surface model for the space-truss structure and a fabrication module for providing construction specifications for the space-truss structure. The fabrication module can receive the three-dimensional surface model generated by the design module as input. The space-truss structure is constructed of components including nodes, rods, and panels. These components are generated using the construction specifications provided by the fabrication module. The nodes can include multiple node portions constructed of flat, metal plates having end portions that are bent at 90-degree angles with respect to a base portion for assembly.

1 . A method for designing and fabricating space-truss structures, comprising: 
 providing a three-dimensional surface model for a space-truss structure; and    based at least in part on the three-dimensional surface model, generating construction specifications for the space-truss structure.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the three-dimensional surface model for the space-truss structure comprises: 
 generating the three-dimensional surface model for the space-truss structure.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein generating the three-dimensional surface model for the space-truss structure comprises: 
 modifying the behavior of at least two agents.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein modifying the behavior of the at least two agents comprises: 
 providing parameters for spacing between the at least two agents.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein modifying the behavior of the at least two agents comprises: 
 applying an angle restriction to the at least two agents.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein modifying the behavior of the at least two agents comprises: 
 identifying an area of attraction for the at least two agents.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein modifying the behavior of the at least two agents comprises: 
 identifying a rectilinear volume of space for the at least two agents to avoid.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein modifying the behavior of the at least two agents comprises: 
 identifying an area through which the at least two agents produce a flat surface.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 based at least in part on the three-dimensional surface model, generating a space-truss geometry having a primary surface and an offset surface.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 extracting polygons from the primary and offset surfaces to generate the construction specifications.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 extracting connection elements between the primary and offset surfaces to generate the construction specifications.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 extracting a node location from the primary and offset surfaces to generate the construction specifications.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the construction specifications for the space-truss structure comprises: 
 providing instructions for a cutting device.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the construction specifications for the space-truss structure comprises: 
 providing a schedule of lengths for rod elements of the space-truss structure.    
   
   
       15 . A device for designing and fabricating space-truss structures, comprising: 
 a processor executing an application that is configured to: 
 provide a three-dimensional surface model for a space-truss structure; and  
 based at least in part on the three-dimensional surface model, generate construction specifications for the space-truss structure.  
   
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the application is further configured to generate the three-dimensional surface model for the space-truss structure.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the application is further configured to generate the three-dimensional surface model for the space-truss structure by modifying the behavior of at least two agents.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein modifying the behavior of the at least two agents comprises providing parameters for spacing between the at least two agents.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein modifying the behavior of the at least two agents comprises applying an angle restriction to the at least two agents.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein modifying the behavior of the at least two agents comprises identifying an area of attraction for the at least two agents.  
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein modifying the behavior of the at least two agents comprises identifying a rectilinear volume of space for the at least two agents to avoid.  
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein modifying the behavior of the at least two agents comprises identifying an area through which the at least two agents produce a flat surface.  
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the application is further configured to: 
 based at least in part on the three-dimensional surface model, generate a space-truss geometry having a primary surface and an offset surface.    
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the application is further configured to: 
 extract polygons from the primary and offset surfaces to generate the construction specifications.    
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the application is further configured to: 
 extract connection elements between the primary and offset surfaces to generate the construction specifications.    
   
   
       26 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the application is further configured to: 
 extract a node location from the primary and offset surfaces to generate the construction specifications.    
   
   
       27 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the application is further configured to: 
 provide the construction specifications for the space-truss structure by providing instructions for a cutting device.    
   
   
       28 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the application is further configured to: 
 provide the construction specifications for the space-truss structure by providing a schedule of lengths for rod elements of the space-truss structure.    
   
   
       29 . A system for designing and fabricating space-truss structures, comprising: 
 means for providing a three-dimensional surface model for a space-truss structure; and    means for generating construction specifications for the space-truss structure, the construction specifications based at least in part on the three-dimensional surface model.    
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 29 , further comprising: 
 means for generating a space-truss geometry having a primary surface and an offset surface based at least in part on the three-dimensional surface model.    
   
   
       31 . A computer readable medium storing computer executable instructions for designing and fabricating space-truss structures, the executable instructions comprising: 
 providing a three-dimensional surface model for a space-truss structure; and    based at least in part on the three-dimensional surface model, generating construction specifications for the space-truss structure.    
   
   
       32 . The computer readable medium of  claim 31 , the executable instructions further comprising: 
 generating a space-truss geometry having a primary surface and an offset surface based at least in part on the three-dimensional surface model.    
   
   
       33 . Construction specifications for a space-truss structure generated by a method comprising: 
 providing a three-dimensional surface model for a space-truss structure; and    based at least in part on the three-dimensional surface model, generating the construction specifications for the space-truss structure.    
   
   
       34 . The construction specifications of  claim 33 , wherein generating the construction specifications for the space-truss structure further comprises providing instructions for a cutting device.  
   
   
       35 . A system for construction of a space-truss structure, comprising: 
 a node;    a rod;    a panel; and    construction specifications for the node, rod, and panel generated by: 
 providing a three-dimensional surface model for the space-truss structure; and  
 based at least in part on the three-dimensional surface model, generating the construction specifications.  
   
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the construction specifications include instructions for a cutting device.  
   
   
       37 . A node for a space-truss structure, comprising: 
 an upper portion comprising a plurality of plates; and    a lower portion comprising a plurality of plates, each plate having a base portion and two end portions folded at about 90-degrees with respect to the base portion, each end portion of each plate aligned with an end portion of another plate, and the base portion of each plate of the upper portion positioned adjacent to the base portion of a plate of the lower portion.    
   
   
       38 . The node of  claim 37 , wherein the upper portion consists of four plates and the lower portion consists of four plates.  
   
   
       39 . The node of  claim 37 , wherein each plate has a notation indicating an assembly configuration of the plate.  
   
   
       40 . The node of  claim 37 , wherein each plate has a marking positioned between an end portion and the base portion indicating a location for folding the plate at about 90-degrees.