MAA02 MRAC02 23/24 Robotic Fabrication

Photo Credits: Robotic ChainSaw © IAAC 

Description

In a context of demographic explosion, resource scarcity and global warming, the construction sector needs to evolve towards faster, cleaner, more efficient and more customisable building systems. On the other hand, the current trend of Industry 4.0 promises groundbreaking technologies: robotics, accurate sensors, computational design, AI and cyber physical systems that could potentially transform the way we design, build and inhabit tomorrow. 

Focusing on the wood industry, huge quantities of leftover pieces from sawmill and manufacturing are considered waste, often used for energy recovery by burning it, or worth, just discarded in landfills. On the other hand, computer vision could catalogue this “waste” and allow it to be integrated in flexible digital production systems such as robotic ones. This extra sense allows for automated design and manufacturing processes to adapt to each material input, resulting in a system that can handle otherwise unused material, to produce products that are each one different, yet adapted to their function. Towards robotic craftsmanship.

This seminar proposes to explore the design potential lying in an heterogeneous stock of recycled wood that could be upcycled into a constructive project using computer vision, computational design and robotic fabrication ; creating an automated process that adds value to a material normally considered as waste. 

Students can expect to learn and practice technology necessary to execute such project : computer vision algorithms, stock nesting, computational design of wood assembly, Robotic path planning and wood process that can be automated

The seminar is structured in two phases. In the first term students will work in small groups and explore different design to fabrication options, concluding each with a possible project proposal, in a competition-like format (with render, detail, budget and calendar). In the second term students will work as one collective toward the engineering and production of one large scale prototype.

Learning Objectives

At course completion the student will learn to : 

• Manage an architectural project from design to construction, incorporating digital data flows and automated processes.
• Apply Computational design principles to create mass-customised products based on material inputs.
• Apply Computer vision algorithm into a specific application of fabrication
• Apply Robotic fabrication process in an architectural project.
• Develop design and technology for a circular economy.