If you were captivated by these animations of traditional Japanese woodworking joints, here's a chance to try out some intricate joinery techniques for yourself.

<a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/50-Digital-Joints-poster-visual-reference/">"50 Digital Wood Joints"</a> by Ladycartoonist is licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/">CC BY-NC-SA 3.0</a>

If you were captivated by these animations of traditional Japanese woodworking joints, here's a chance to try out some intricate joinery techniques for yourself.In the spirit of open access to information, professor Jochen Gros and designer Friedrich Sulzer headed up a research project at the C...Lab of the Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach in Germany, where they have developed 50 different wood joinery techniques capable of being fabricated digitally, using tools such as a CNC mill or lasercutter.Now these files have been made accessible to the public via downloadable files in various data formats (including several Autocad capable formats). They have also provided each joint with a PDF guide to assembly, to make piecing together the wood elements a snap. 
Example joint guide. Via Flexible Stream

On his site, Gros explains why architects & designers may be so fascinated with joinery: Every time we come across them, we are filled with admiration: Admiration for the skill of the master craftsman, ...