The Bernard&Anne Spitzer
School of Architecture
SSA Robotics Lab
Robotics Paneling Methods
Nikitha Menon & Rudy Mejia
Our aim for this project was to use the method of hotwire cutting integrated into robotics to create a architectural paneling system. We started with researching existing case studies that was used as reference to develop panels using Rhino, Grasshopper and Kuka Prc. Our experimental paneling system has the possibility to become an extended study of how the ABB robotic arms would help create architectural systems.
Case Studies:
RDM Vault
MSc2 Studio/Hyberbody TU Delft
Netherland, 2012
The RDM vault is a project by MSc2 Studio designed as a prototype to experiment on the use of foam blocks and hotwire cutting to create a vaulted form. This project required two large scale robotic arms to cut EPS blocks into unique custom panels that would attach together to create the finally vault form. This project was built within the span of two weeks and used a software called RhinoVAULT for the design of the specific cuts for structural optimization.
EPS foam blocks were cut and assembled to resemble stone vaults. The RDM vault consist of 53 panels that were precisely fabricated.
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Spatial Wire Cutting
ETH Zurich
Zurich Honggerberg, 2015
The spatial wire cutting project by ETH Zurich was created to test out how hot wire cutting would operate while being suspended between two robots arms. The robot arms were controlled separately to create double curved surfaces with the wire tension being the factor that creates the variations in the cuts. This project conducted tests in different sizes, scales and intensities to push the limits of the tools resulting in creatively designed panels.
The image above shows the details of how the panels were cut using the two robotic arms and how it controlled the path of the suspended hotwire cutter.
Designcoding
Hotwire Cutting Polyhedra
This is a student project that tests the relationship between basics of geometry and design computing, including the experiments with parametric modeling, architectural geometry, computer-aided fabrication, and exploration of pedagogical approaches for design education procedure considering the fabrication constraints in a construction-aware procedure.
Swisspearl Summerschool
ETH Zurich
Zurich Honggerberg, 2015
This group of students experimented the hot wire cutting of EPS foam. The aim was to create curved surfaces by using a straight wire. After several cutting experiments with the available hotwire cutter, they decided to design and produce their own tool, with suitable dimensions for their purposes.They obtained 20kg/m3 EPS foam in 17cm cubes. On the other hand, they created the digital model of a curved wall-like shape and subdivided it into 17cm blocks.
Within the design and conceptual phase of the workshop, students explored the technique first through a series of manual tests, using a handheld
hot-wire cutting device and graphite enhanced expanded polystyrene blocks of 300 x 400 x 600 mm to develop an intuitive understanding of the material
and its (coordinated) manipulation. These were then used as moulds for the lamination with the fibre-cement composite Swisspearl® (also known conventionally as (Eternit), a well-established manufacturing procedure, that, however, requires substantial manual labour and craftsmanship.
Experimental Paneling System:
Using case studies from external sources as references we create four systems for wall paneling with simple methods that are easy to replicate. The diagram shows a few different patterns that can be produced that allow openings and non planar surfaces. Using a grasshopper script and Kuka Prc we were able to simulate how the robot arm would cut these panels.
The future for this project is an opportunity to integrated technology and architecture. Our project was a discussion on how a robotic script for Kuka robotics would translate into ABB robotic which can allow an exchange of methods between robot systems. Understanding of how the scripts works in combination with the robot arm allows endless possibilities in architectural design.