2002-... \ BENDING AND CORRUGATING THE METAL SHEETS

First experiments led by Oskar Zieta, Philipp Dohmen and professor Ludger Hovestadt started at the ETH Zurich in 2002 by the in-depth analysis of the properties of the metal sheets. The purpose was to find an efficient and customized way to stabilize the thin material using a computer controlled production chain and to build durable construction elements using it. The first experiments were made of bent steel sheets that formed 3d structures able to carry their own weight. From 2002 a series of objects, roofs, ceilings, paravents were created and the know-how is now being used for products such as DS Container by Magazin.

2007-... \ 3+ PLATTE TECHNOLOGY - PUNCTURING THE METAL SHEETS

In 2007 another technique was invented as a development of the technology of puncturing the metal sheets. Metal sheets are punctured and then they can be put together and joined by the holes. Connecting 3 or more metal sheets using this technique makes a stable, usable object. In 2007 Oskar Zieta has created two experimental chairs in 3+ Platte technique. They are made of 3 thin steel sheets, laid one on another and joined by the punctures. The technique can be used as a construction for furniture.

2003-... \ FiDU TECHNOLOGY - INFLATING THE METAL SHEETS

The first experiments on the FiDU technology began in 2003. FiDU can be compared to IHU technology of hydroforming used in a car industry, but is far less expensive, because no moulds are needed. Short series of unique objects can be made that way. FiDU requires one thousandth of the pressure needed for IHU. The main advantage is that the production is very fast, easy and precise. Two dimensional elements are cut from the steel sheets and welded one to another using laser and then the inflation transforms them into a stable 3 dimensional object.

FiDU football - a modular object, a more than 4m diameter icosahedron, i.e. a football, explored the application of such characteristics as planned contour control, precision and rigidity. In this case, high precision was required. 90 elements in total were produced. This project was the first successful completion of a refined, precise, three-dimensional construction from FiDU elements. This is where one often overlooked feature of the basic technology is brought to the fore - FiDU is a sophisticated combination of digital and laser production techniques tailored to produce the highest possible accuracy in forming technology, in which the level of precision loss is taken into account deliberately.

As further development of the research on the FiDU technology, the following task was produce a non-symmetrical profile for a wind rotor. Three aerodynamic profiles were created and successfully tested for a low-cost wind turbine. This project has manifold benefits over traditional wind turbine construction. In addition to significantly lower production cost it is also possible to scale the wings to almost any size and thus adapt the design to the specific weather conditions of any location.

One of the most important projects to date, the FiDU-foot bridge, was carried out in late 2007 with architecture students from the ETH. The foot bridge has a span of 6m and a net weight of only 174 kilograms. The span to weight ratio astonished even the enlisted ETH structural engineers. The expected 500 kg were easily supported during a professional stress test, and a top weight of 1850kg exceeded all expectations giving the FiDU bridge a 1:10 weight to load-bearing ratio. Thus, FiDU was positioned as a new player in the ultralight construction class. The main ingredients of the construction were there still: 1mm thick sheet metal and 0.4bar from the air compressor.The technology is suddenly as mobile as a simple air compressor.

The first collection of everyday products of Zieta Prozessdesign shows the use of the FiDU technology for home and office objects. The products are taking advantage of the years of research - they are innovatively shaped in the exciting new technology, but they are also a part of a reserach and of the observation on the material. Their beauty is built by the unique deformations created by air, pressure and the natural behaviour of the metal sheets. FiDU allows for the production of short series of products efficiently - there are also limited editions in unique materials. The products are available on shop.zieta.pl.

This modular exhibition piece for Architonic illustrates the aesthetic flexibility of FiDU objects. It's high gloss finish and shallow inflation render a sleek impression which is in high contrast to the obviously inflated and brightly colored PLOPP stools. The ability of FiDU to spatially and aesthetically span the fields of design and architecture opens many possibilities for new applications. The latest FiDU object pushes the technology one step further by moving into a new scale. The key for the development of this idea was to research the new methods of joining FiDU elements together, which was enabled by inventing a series of stabl knots between different beams of the structure.

The series of rolled steel profiles - "Blow and Roll", were created for the London Design Festival 2010. The new opportunity is the milestone in the development of FiDU. Flat and rolled elements can be transported cost-efficiently on site an then inflated and unrolled to the stable form. in 2010 the structure made of Blow & Roll elements was shown at the Victora&Albert Museum in London. Along with the exhibition, smaller 125cm long elements were create to showcase the technology and the new opportunities.