Robots in architecture: design for manufacturing and assembly

Author(s)

Filipe Medéia de Campos

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Engenharia Civil, Arquitetura e Urbanismo
• Defense date: 2023-11-21

Examining board members

Maria Gabriela Caffarena Celani; Gonçalo Lencastre Torres de Castro Henriques; Paulo Eduardo Fonseca de Campos; Renata La Rocca; Ana Regina Mizrahy Cuperschmid

• Advisor: Maria Gabriela Caffarena Celani

Abstract

Since the 2nd half of the XX century, automation was introduced in the production processes of the most diverse industries. Although some areas quickly absorbed these concepts (such as the automobile industry), others had a slower absorption. In architecture, some automation processes can already be incorporated in the design and manufacturing phases. The assembly, however, is still done manually, with examples of assembly by robots restricted to the academic area. The robotic assembly can enable the assembly of complex-shaped structures that would be very difficult – if not impossible – to be done manually. Its creative exploration can unlock new possibilities to innovation and integrated solutions, and it is necessary to explore and analyze how to make these applications viable, considering the robots, its uses, and other factors. The objective of this research was to analyze how to enable robotic assembly in architecture through design. The research was carried out using the Research by Design methodology, with exploratory and experimental development, through scaled experiments with robotic technologies, more specifically robotic arm and cablebot. These were applied in assembly studies of structures with wooden joints, considering the principles of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) and the processes precision. The main result is the analysis of how design solutions can enable robotic assembly, with the resulting workflow described in the form of a method for applying robots in architecture. Secondary results are also (1) the identification of the main gaps and trends in research in the area of robots in architecture, (2) the development of a cablebot, (3) the development of a methodology for adapting joints and (4) the identification of the main barriers to development the use of robots in architecture (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/07786-3 - Use of robots in architecture: design for manufacturing and assembly
• Grantee: Filipe Medéia de Campos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate