A dovetail revolved around its axis becomes a concave disk. Columns can then meet at irregular angles — a 3D joint from a 2D fastener.
Dounas & Spaeth, 2014
The Universal Dovetail Joint (Dounas & Spaeth, CAADRIA 2014): revolve a trapezoidal pin around its axis and the 2D fastener becomes a concave disk. Timber members can then enter at irregular 3D angles — a node for a space frame that is not a regular lattice. The faded rings are the revolved profile; the flared keys are the columns. Spread and seed decide how uneven the compass is. Motion lets the spacing wander, as a joint under load would.
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RevolveA dovetail pin. Spin it around the dashed axis and the socket becomes a disk.