J. Braumann, S. Brell-Cokcan:
"Parametric Robot Control: Integrated CAD/CAM for Architectural Design";
Talk: ACADIA-conference (Association of CAD in Architecture), Banff, Canada; 2011-10-13 - 2011-10-16; in: "ACADIA 11: Integration through Computation [Proceedings of the 30th Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture]", (2011), 978-1-61364-565-6; 242 - 251.

Robots are gaining popularity in architecture: Snøhetta - as one of the first architectural offices - has recently purchased their own industrial robot. As more and more architects are exposed to robotic fabrication, the need for easy interoperability, integration into architectural design tools and general accessibility arises. Just as well, 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 (c.f. 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.

Robots are gaining popularity in architecture: Snøhetta - as one of the first architectural offices - has recently purchased their own industrial robot. As more and more architects are exposed to robotic fabrication, the need for easy interoperability, integration into architectural design tools and general accessibility arises. Just as well, 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 (c.f. 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.

robot programming, parametric design, mass customization, grasshopper component design, fabrication, robot milling, digital architecture

Project Head Sigrid Brell-Cokcan:
Multilayer Freeform Structures for Architecture