Robotic Timber Assembly

WIP

Mackenzie Bruce + Gabrielle Clune + Chris Humphrey + Ben Lawson + Sarah Nail + Mehdi Shirvani + Ruxin Xie

Instructor: Dr. Arash Adel

The pavilion bridges the gap between computational design processes and digital manufacturing using timber construction. This generative design process requires sorting assemblies into sub-categories and developing automated assembly procedures to manufacture them. The custom computational design workflow integrates fabrication limitations, assembly logics and design constraints using digital frameworks beyond the functionalities of commercial Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software programs to generate, store, and seamlessly transfer design data to automated assembly routines. This process of designing with nonstandard timber construction allows of for the pavilion to be constructed using small offcuts normally used for making wood chips. This project required the development of a custom robotic setup. This setup includes two KUKA KR60 robots, the development and automated integration of a rotating table saw, and various fabrication tools including custom gripper end-effectors. This project will continue to explore the architectural potentials of robotic fabrication technologies and challenge traditional the architectural production by creating seamless digital design-to-fabrication chains.