Robotic hotwire cutting is favored in the creation of volumetric components optimized based on ruled surfaces, as it is a comparatively faster method of fabrication with a superior surface finish for geometries that utilize the inherent materialistic properties of the design. A customizable generative model with embedded robotic fabrication information is developed to allow rapid prototyping of varied designs.

Stock foam material with dimensions of 60*200*14.5 cm are trimmed to match the boundaries of a strip of a medallion to decrease the off-cut. An intriguing play of light is achieved as the direction of the cut counters the direction of the strip which is introduced by picking parts of the medallion shifting in each row. The optimization of designfabrication allowed the stacking of two types of strips that are complementary geometries, allowing the production of two complementary shifting rows in a single cycle of cutting as well as minimizing the waste of the resources.

Informed through the generative model, robotic arm installed with a hot-wire cutter initially cuts the side profiles of the strips. Top and bottom parts are swept in a single cut for the complementary pieces, or in two successive steps for pieces that are pinched at the corners.

Pieces assemble seamlessly to form a part of a medallion which create an optical illusion that alter depending on the angle of light it receives.