Dr. Steve Karman from our applied research team recently visited Branch Technology in Chattanooga to see their 3-D printing robots and learn more about their patented freeform, 3-D printing technology called Cellular Fabrication (TM). Steve’s host at Branch was Dr. Bruce Hilbert whom you can read about in his This Is How I Mesh profile.

Dr. Steve Karman (left) from Pointwise and Dr. Bruce Hilbert from Branch Technology (right) pose near one of Branch’s 3-D printing robots.

You may recall reading that Branch Tech was recognized with our Meshy Award at last year’s Pointwise User Group Meeting for their work to use a Pointwise-generated mesh as the basis for a 3-D printed, architectural-scale pavilion at Cheekwood Gardens in Nashville.

Branch Technology’s Matt Culver (left) and Bruce Hilbert pose with a work in progress.

Branch’s innovative work in this space is exemplified by a piece installed at the Museum of Design Atlanta called TN-1. At the time, TN-1 (designed by Keith Kaseman, co-designer of the Pentagon’s 9-11 Memorial) was North America’s largest 3-D printed structure.

A further example of Branch’s work is described in back issue of This Week in CFD. They fabricated the new world’s largest 3-D printed structure, called Flotsam & Jetsam, for the Design Miami fare (structure designed by SHoP Architects).

Branch Technology’s 3-D printing is some of the most unusual applied mesh generation I’ve ever seen and Pointwise is happy to be working with them.