Exploration of Parametric Design and Robotic Assembly of Shell Structures

Architecture is going through major changes as automation in construction is radically transforming standard processing technologies and could lead, in the longer-term, to disruptive technologies such as 3D-printing and robotics being applied to improve construction processes. This project focuses in particular on the development of complex geometries, such as free form shells. It aims to investigate the potential that robotics and 3D printing could offer in terms of enabling the adoption of more complex and efficient geometries.
The research will explore possibilities to digitally design, fabricate and assemble dry shell structures through lightweight collaborative robots. These robots will collaboratively position, stabilize, and attach/fasten parts of the structure, to construct the shell. Robot arm/hand actions required to perform such operations will be programmed, and the reciprocal relation between robot capabilities, digital design, and shell design will be investigated.
The use of sensory information correlated to the environment and surrounding objects will be considered to further optimize the operation. The capabilities of modern computers allow for real-time processing of position information to update the assembly instructions, and account for the inevitable inaccuracies that arise from such complex geometries.
This research is a step towards a more efficient use of robotics in the construction industry and safer collaboration between robots and humans. This will involve a number of physical demonstrations that will be programmed as research output milestones throughout the PhD research period.