A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE STRENGTH OF FURNITURE JOINTS IN TRADITIONAL AND DIGITAL MANUFACTURING METHODS

Abstract

Amid the global shift toward the Industry 4.0 paradigm, architectural and product design is undergoing fundamental changes, shifting the focus from traditional craftsmanship to digital manufacturing using CAD/CAM/CNC systems and additive technologies. This study presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of the mechanical, spatial, ergonomic, and tectonic characteristics of furniture and wood joints manufactured using traditional and digital methods. The main focus of this work is to find the optimal balance between structural reliability, aesthetic expressiveness, and the strict requirements of the circular economy, particularly the concept of “Design for Disassembly” (DfD). The study employs a comprehensive methodological framework, including methods of comparative and graph-analytical analysis, finite element modeling (FEM), as well as an in-depth examination of representative case studies (optimization of the traditional Zongjiao joint, the WikiHouse Skylark modular plywood system, the integration of Lamello connectors, and the application of 3D-printed polymer components). The research results irrefutably demonstrate that algorithmically optimized traditional joints for multi-axis CNC machines are capable of outperforming both their manual counterparts and commercial metal ties in terms of bending moment distribution. At the same time, it has been found that polymer 3D-printed components made from basic filaments currently exhibit lower strength compared to solid-wood dowel joints, although the use of specialized engineering plastics opens up new possibilities. This work formulates the conceptual principles of hybrid tectonics, which ensures the synergy of the physical properties of orthotropic materials and algorithmic form-generation to create ergonomic and sustainable spatial structures of the future.