Benefits of Integrating CAD/CAM in Glass Education
- Virtual simulation for mold design: reduces failure and cost.
- CNC precision for repeatable production.
- Expanded creative potential through digital design tools.
Experimental Glassforming
Since 2020, I have been teaching the course titled "Experimental Glassforming" at the Sheridan College. The curriculum was designed to explore the whole process from digital modeling, CNC milling to glassforming. The course covers:
Throughout the years of teaching, I found it beneficial for students to engage in the entire process, placing equal emphasis on both virtual design and physical production. The course aims to develop design sensibilities and enhance understanding of material properties. Students are encouraged to be mindful of physical constraints while remaining open to exploring possibilities beyond the boundaries of reality.
- 3D model for kiln casting
- Press mold for sand casting
- Open-faced mold for hot casting and mold blowing
- Two-part mold for mold blowing
- Engraving
Throughout the years of teaching, I found it beneficial for students to engage in the entire process, placing equal emphasis on both virtual design and physical production. The course aims to develop design sensibilities and enhance understanding of material properties. Students are encouraged to be mindful of physical constraints while remaining open to exploring possibilities beyond the boundaries of reality.
Mandala
Palgwe
The Yin-Yang symbol and the Eight Trigrams (Bagua in Chinese, Palgwe in Korean) are central elements of Taoist cosmology. Yin and Yang represent opposing yet interconnected forces—such as darkness and light, passivity and activity, or cold and heat—that together create balance and movement in the universe. The Eight Trigrams expand on this duality through symbolic patterns made of three lines—broken or unbroken—each representing a natural element or condition like water, fire, earth, wind, or mountain. These symbols form a visual language of transformation, balance, and interaction.
These ancient symbols are not only found in Taoist texts but also appear in modern national identity such as the South Korean flag. The flag features a central Yin-Yang (called taegeuk) symbol and four of the Eight Trigrams at each corner. It reflects the belief in harmony between opposites and the cyclical nature of change, deeply rooted in East Asian culture and philosophy.
Inspired by this duality and binary structure, I chose to create interlocking convex and concave blocks based on these symbols. Their geometric and symbolic structure lends itself naturally to the idea of interconnection. My initial prototypes were made using sandcasting, chosen for its rough, ancient texture. However, for future iterations, I plan to use kilncasting to achieve higher precision and tighter interlocking forms—bringing contemporary technique into dialogue with ancient symbolism.
These ancient symbols are not only found in Taoist texts but also appear in modern national identity such as the South Korean flag. The flag features a central Yin-Yang (called taegeuk) symbol and four of the Eight Trigrams at each corner. It reflects the belief in harmony between opposites and the cyclical nature of change, deeply rooted in East Asian culture and philosophy.
Inspired by this duality and binary structure, I chose to create interlocking convex and concave blocks based on these symbols. Their geometric and symbolic structure lends itself naturally to the idea of interconnection. My initial prototypes were made using sandcasting, chosen for its rough, ancient texture. However, for future iterations, I plan to use kilncasting to achieve higher precision and tighter interlocking forms—bringing contemporary technique into dialogue with ancient symbolism.
Interlocking Design - Tri Tile
Tri Tile was developed to highlight the precision and creative potential of CNC milling. I wanted to design an interlocking form that could not easily be made by hand. The result is a three-axis glass tile that combines digital design with the fluidity of hot glass. To allow hot glass to be poured into the mold, small circular disks were added to the bottom side of the tiles, introducing a modular element to the design.
There are three variations: Tri C0 (no disks), Tri C2 (disks on two sides), and Tri C3 (disks on three sides). The Tri C2 and C3 tiles were designed to be flipped, which created interesting visual combinations—especially exciting when working with a transparent material like glass. The Tri C2 tile alone generates two distinct patterns, revealing the playful and unexpected results of simple changes in orientation.
The entire design process relied heavily on 3D modeling and rendering to preview and refine the form before fabrication. Fusion 360’s CAM simulation was particularly helpful in planning the milling paths. Final molds were CNC milled using the Tormach PCNC440.
There are three variations: Tri C0 (no disks), Tri C2 (disks on two sides), and Tri C3 (disks on three sides). The Tri C2 and C3 tiles were designed to be flipped, which created interesting visual combinations—especially exciting when working with a transparent material like glass. The Tri C2 tile alone generates two distinct patterns, revealing the playful and unexpected results of simple changes in orientation.
The entire design process relied heavily on 3D modeling and rendering to preview and refine the form before fabrication. Fusion 360’s CAM simulation was particularly helpful in planning the milling paths. Final molds were CNC milled using the Tormach PCNC440.
Related Articles
- Introduction to CNC Machining for glassforming, p54-57, The Glass Art Society, 2023 journal