Remote Robotic Additive Manufacturing

By University of Queensland’s School of Architecture, Design and Planning | 22 January 2024

The research presented in this blog was conducted by the University of Queensland as part of State Library's Purpose Built exhibition.

Project Overview

This project investigated remote robotic 3D printing of clay-based bio-materials to produce blocks with improved structural and environmental performance.

Using a UR10 collaborative robot, varying percentages of algae were combined with clay to explore the relationship between the percentage of algae in the mixture and the resulting structural integrity of the printed blocks. This material exploration was paired with an examination of diverse geometries inspired by biomimicry patterns, testing the proposition that the versatility of robotic 3D printing enhances material and geometric properties and optimises the use of bio-composites in construction.

A computational script was also developed. This provided a user-friendly augmented reality interface for designing blocks as well as controlling the robotic 3D printer that can be utilised by people with no or limited experience in the field.

The research aimed to improve clay-based construction in remote communities and move towards a carbon-negative future by introducing a new digital and material culture in these communities. It contributes to the structural improvement of localised resources and supports a more sustainable and resilient mode of construction.

The research was shared as part of the SHERobots workshops and exhibition at the University of Sydney, and will inform an ARC LIEF grant being submitted in 2023.

Outputs

Journal Articles

Maryam Shafiei, Frederico Fialho Teixeira and Guanqi Zhu. ‘Workflow for AR-Aided Design to Manufacturing: From Sketching to Robotic Assembly of Parametric Prototypes.’ Journal of Automation in Construction - under review

Book Chapter

Muge Belek Fialho Teixeira, Maryam Shafiei, Glenda Caldwell, Jared Donovan, Frederico Fialho Teixeira and Shabnam Lotfian. (2022). ‘RoboBlox’. SHErobots, Tool, Toy, Companion (pp. 74-78) edited by Dagmar Reinhardt, Lian Loke and Deborah Turnbull Tillman. Sydney, Australia: The University of Sydney

Conference Publications

Shafiei, Maryam, Teixeira, Frederico Fialho and Guanqi Zhu (2023). Structural Performance of Bio-Clay Cobot Printed Blocks.CAADRIA International Conference, Graz, Austria.

Shafiei, Maryam and Teixeira, Fred Fialho Leandro Alves (2022). Workflow for robotic sketching. Employing Robots in Architecture Education Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland.

Exhibitions

Knox, Kristina, Shafiei, Maryam, Aldakheel, Shaden and Fialho Teixeira, Fred (2022). Urban Totems: Creative Work. 2022 MoB-Botanica Exhibition.

Teixeira, Muge Belek Fialho, Shafiei, Maryam, Caldwell, Glenda, Donovan, Jared, Teixeira, Frederico Fialho and Lotfian, Shabnam (2022). RoboBlox. SHErobots. The University of Sydney.

Purpose Built: Architecture for a Better Tomorrow, State Library of Queensland, 02 Sep 2023 – 14 Apr 2024