Use of robots in architecture: design for manufacturing and assembly

• Grant number: 18/07786-3
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): December 01, 2019
• Effective date (End): June 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Architecture and Town Planning - Architecture and Urbanism Technology
• Principal researcher: Maria Gabriela Caffarena Celani
• Grantee: Filipe Medéia de Campos
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Civil, Arquitetura e Urbanismo (FEC). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Since the 2nd half of the 20th century, automation began to be introduced in the production processes of the most diverse industries. In addition to reducing costs and making production more precise, it allowed the insertion of the concept of mass customization. Although some areas have quickly absorbed these concepts (such as the automotive industry), others have had a slower absorption. In architecture, although some automation processes are already incorporated in the design and manufacturing phases, the assembly is still done manually, with examples of assembly by robots restricted to the academic area. These surveys focus on high-cost industrial robots, which are not usually found in research centers in Brazil. Low-cost robots could enable the automation of assembly in architecture. The objective of this research is to explore the use of low cost robots in architectural assembly, focusing on the assembly of shading structures in wood with complex shapes. The research will be carried out through the Research by Design methodology, with exploratory and experimental development, through experiments with robotic technologies, more specifically robotic arms and cablebots. The expected results are (1) the systematization of a methodology for robot assembly processes and analysis of the influence of robotic assembly on design and manufacturing within the context of the 4th Industrial Revolution; (2) the assembly of a small pavilion as proof; (3) the development of a cablebot for use in architecture. (AU)