June 17, 2014
3D printing technology makes it possible to create geometrically complex objects, but one factor still limits your creativity: the objects 3D printers produce are linked to the size of the machine. So if you want to 3D print a house, you would need huge printer with a work envelope as large as the house itself.
Researchers from the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC), based in Barcelona, have combined robotics with 3D printing and developed a group of three separate robots, all mobile and capable of constructing objects far larger than the robot itself. Each of the robots was designed to perform a diverse task, linked to the different phases of construction, and work together to print a large scale structure.
The system, called Minibuilders, works in three stages. The first stage is the Foundation Robot, which lays down the first 20 layers of material to create a foundation of the structure. Sensors mounted inside the robot follow a predefined path and control its direction. Traveling in a circular path allows for a vertical actuator incrementally adjust the nozzle height for a smooth, continuous, spiraling layer. The advantage of laying material in a continuous spiral is that allows for constant material flow, without having to move the nozzle up at intervals of one layer.
After the foundation is done, the second robot, the Grip Robot, grips onto the foundation and its four rollers clamp on to the upper edge of the structure allowing it to move along the previously printed material, depositing more layers. The nozzle moves dynamically to create curved walls. The built-in heater, increases the air temperature and makes the curing process much faster. The robot follows a predefined path, but can also adjust its path to correct errors in the printing process.
The last stage is the Vacuum Robot. This robot attaches to the surface of the previously printed structure with a suction cup and a vacuum generator. It moves freely over the printed structure, depositing material on the surface to reinforce the walls and ceiling. These layers are free-form, non-parallel patterns and can be applied wherever it is needed. Vacuum Robots can travel over surfaces of any inclination.
The structures built by this system is not limited by the scale of the robots, so theoretically it can build structures in any size. The only limitation is the structural properties of the material it prints with.
Seven months of research were dedicated to the development of this project. "Minibuilders is a work in progress, innovations and lessons learned from this 7 months period will be built upon to create a new generation of minibuilders," said the IAAC team.
Project credits:
Minibuilders is a project of IAAC, Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia
developed during Open Thesis Fabrication in 2013 by:
Researchers: Shihui Jin, Stuart Maggs, Dori Sadan and Cristina Nan
Faculty: Saša Jokić and Petr Novikov
Sponsored by: SD Ventures
Posted in 3D Printing Technology
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@Feign - Wouldn't it make since to use a removable support material that can be printed also. That would remove the issue that would arise from overhangs. I personally am confused why they wouldn't have it print a dual wall design much like its competitors are already doing. Not only does a single wall create isolation problems, but also not provide any ability to embed pipe, wire, etc. into the walls them self while being printed.
CNK wrote at 6/17/2014 11:55:09 PM:
That's pretty impressive. I wonder what the "marerial" is.
Feign wrote at 6/17/2014 10:49:15 PM:
Do they explain at all how the gripper handles intersections or doors and windows? Also, they seem to be expecting quite a lot of overhang from this cement...
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