Pepper was a renowned leader in the construction industry and a longtime benefactor to Northwestern
Feb 3, 2021
Northwestern Engineering alumnus Richard Pepper ’53, a renowned leader in the construction industry as an executive at Pepper Construction and a longtime benefactor to Northwestern University, passed away on January 28, 2021, at age 90.
Pepper, who graduated from the McCormick School of Engineering with a degree in civil engineering in 1953, assumed leadership of Pepper Construction from his father in 1957. Together with his wife, Roxelyn (Roxy) ’53, Richard grew the company into a nationally recognized construction firm with annual revenues exceeding $1 billion. The company is headquartered in Chicago and operates offices in Indianapolis, Columbus, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, and Barrington, Illinois.
Dynamic 3D printing process features a light-driven twist
The speed of light has come to 3D printing. Northwestern University engineers have developed a new method that uses light to improve 3D printing speed and precision while also, in combination with a high-precision robot arm, providing the freedom to move, rotate or dilate each layer as the structure is being built.
Most conventional 3D printing processes rely on replicating a digital design model that is sliced into layers with the layers printed and assembled upwards like a cake. The Northwestern method introduces the ability to manipulate the original design layer by layer and pivot the printing direction without recreating the model. This “on-the-fly” feature enables the printing of more complicated structures and significantly improves manufacturing flexibility.
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‘Kirigami cuts’ can be used to create 3D microstructures and nanotools
Paper snowflakes, pop-up children’s books and elaborate paper cards are of interest to more than just crafters. A team of Northwestern University engineers is using ideas taken from paper-folding practices to create a sophisticated alternative to 3D printing.
Kirigami comes from the Japanese words “kiru”(to cut) and “kami”(paper) and is a traditional form of art in which paper is precisely cut and transformed into a 3D object. Using thin films of material and software to select exact geometric cuts, engineers can create a wide range of complex structures by taking inspiration from the practice.
Researchers Create an Advanced Alternative to 3D Printing
Written by AZoMDec 23 2020
Elaborate paper cards, pop-up children’s books and paper snowflakes are interesting not only to crafters but also to other individuals.
New research allows each kirigami motif to bend into multiple shapes. Image Credit: Northwestern University.
A group of engineers from Northwestern University has created an advanced alternative to 3D printing by applying concepts taken from paper-folding practices.
The word Kirigami comes from the Japanese words kiru (to cut) and kami (paper). It is a classical form of art, wherein the paper is accurately cut and changed into a 3D object.
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Paper snowflakes, pop-up children s books and elaborate paper cards are of interest to more than just crafters. A team of Northwestern University engineers is using ideas taken from paper-folding practices to create a sophisticated alternative to 3D printing.
Kirigami comes from the Japanese words kiru (to cut) and kami (paper) and is a traditional form of art in which paper is precisely cut and transformed into a 3D object. Using thin films of material and software to select exact geometric cuts, engineers can create a wide range of complex structures by taking inspiration from the practice.
Research, published in 2015, showed promise in the kirigami pop-up fabrication model. In this iteration, the ribbon-like structures created by the cuts were open shapes, with limited ability to achieve closed shapes. Other research building on the same inspiration mainly demonstrates that kirigami can be applied at a macroscale with simple materials like paper.