Just in time design: Developing parametric design tools for architectural design

In this paper we will present custom design and parametric programming strategies for the design of complex spatial structures based on our applied research for a 10.000 m freeform technology centre in Düzce, Turkey. The goal is to develop intuitive, easy-to-use parametric design components for layout, analysis, optimisation and aesthetic architectural free form design

Digital and physical computing for industrial robots in architecture: Interfacing Arduino with industrial robots

Customisation is one of the most important topics in architecture, as architects generally work on individual prototypes instead of mass-produced designs. By using customised design and fabrication tools, architects are able to individually respond to challenges, instead of relying on universal software tools. This paper proposes new software components for interfacing industrial robots with physical computing microcontrollers, thereby allowing the customisation of physical tools for industrial robots. By pairing physical computing with rapid prototyping, architects are able to design and prototype individual fabrication processes for industrial robots

Parametric Robot Control: Integrated CAD/CAM for Architectural Design

Robots are gaining popularity in architecture. Snøhetta has recently purchased their own industrial robot, becoming one of the first architectural offices to adopt robot technology. As more and more architects are exposed to robotic fabrication, the need for easy interoperability, integration into architectural design tools and general accessibility will increase. Architects are discovering that industrial robots are much more than kinematic machines for stacking bricks, welding or milling - they are highly multifunctional and can be used for a huge variety of tasks. However, industry standard software does not provide easy solutions for allowing direct robot control right from CAAD (Computer Aided Architectural Design) systems. In this paper we will discuss existing methods of programming industrial robots, published architectural results (Gramazio and Kohler 2008) and the design of a new user interface that allows intuitive control of parametric designs and customized robotic mass production, by integrating CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) functions into CAAD

A New Parametric Design Tool for Robot Milling

This paper proposes the use of parametric design software, which is generally used for real-time analysis and evaluation of architectural design variants, to create a new production immanent design tool for robot milling. Robotic constraints are integrated in the data flow of the parametric model for calculating, visualizing and simulating robot milling toolpaths. As a result of the design process, a physical model together with a milling robot control data file is generated.

Real-Time Robot Simulation and Control for Architectural Design

Industrial robots for architectural fabrication have not yet been directly linked to the design process, as current research focuses mostly on the automated generation of robot control data for mass customization. In this paper, we will discuss the use of a real-time programming environment for robot simulation/control and introduce a virtual robot, that allows architects to digitally prototype fabrication processes. While such a real-time approach is also suitable for mass customization, the main advantage is that this interaction with the virtual-robot can be used to intuitively solve complex fabrication problems

Digital Design to Digital Production: Flank Milling with a 7-Axis CNC-Milling Robot and Parametric Design

Just recently Flank Milling has opened up new possibilities in detailing large-scale architectural building envelopes. Whereas examples such as the Hungerburgbahn by Zaha Hadid show the application of Flank Milling at the end of the architectural manufacturing process, our research, in contrast, focuses on the implementation of constraints immanent to manufacturing techniques as early architectural design parameters. This process is explored by the help of generative modelling tools, to allow an intuitive design of freeform parametric curves and surfaces while at the same time obeying crucial geometric conditions. In this paper, we will focus on the “digital design to digital productioni process on a 7-axis industrial CNC -robot

Discrete Surfaces for Architectural Design

Geometric problems originating in architecture can lead to interesting research and results in geometry processing, computer aided geometric design, and discrete différential geometry. In this article we survey this development and consider an important problem of this kind: Discrete surfaces (meshes) which admit a multi-layered geometric support structure. It turns out that such meshes can be elegantly studied via the concept of parallel mesh. Discrete versions of the network of principal curvature lines turn out to be parallel to approximately spherical meshes. Both circular meshes and the conical meshes considered only recently are instances of this meta-theorem. We discuss properties and interrelations of circular and conical meshes, and also their connections to meshes in static equilibrium and discrete minimal surfaces. We conclude with a list of research problems in geometry which are related to architectural design