Automatic Assembly of Jointed Timber Structure using Distributed Robotic Clamps


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Date

2021

Publication Type

Conference Paper

ETH Bibliography

yes

Citations

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Data

Abstract

This paper presents a novel robotic assembly method for timber structures with integral timber joints, specifically, crossed-half-lap joints. The proposed method uses a set of custom-built, remote-controlled, high-force robotic clamps to operate in collaboration with an industrial robotic arm to overcome challenges of robotic timber joint assembly, such as providing large assembly forces and correcting misalignments. This method enables automatic assembly of non-repetitive and spatially connected timber structures. We developed custom software for modelling, visualization and feasibility-checking for structures compatible with the proposed assembly method. As a proof of concept, we designed and robotically assembled a spatial frame structure (4.8 x 3.0m footprint, 3.4m tall) comprising 40 pieces of 100x100mm profile timber elements.

Publication status

published

Book title

PROJECTIONS – Proceedings of the 26th International Conference of the Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design

Journal / series

Volume

1

Pages / Article No.

583 - 592

Publisher

Association for Computer Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia

Event

26th International Conference of the Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia: Projections (CAADRIA 2021) (virtual)

Edition / version

Methods

Software

Geographic location

Date collected

Date created

Subject

Robotic Assembly; Spatial Timber Structure; Wood Joints; Distributed Robots

Organisational unit

03709 - Kohler, Matthias / Kohler, Matthias check_circle
03708 - Gramazio, Fabio / Gramazio, Fabio check_circle
02284 - NFS Digitale Fabrikation / NCCR Digital Fabrication

Notes

Conference lecture held on March 30, 2021. Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) the conference was conducted virtually.

Funding

141853 - Digital Fabrication - Advanced Building Processes in Architecture (SNF)

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