Robotic Plaster Spraying: Crafting Surfaces with Adaptive Thin-Layer Printing

Area of Science:

• Digital Craftsmanship
• Robotic Construction
• Additive Manufacturing

Background:

• Traditional plasterwork serves functional and ornamental roles on building surfaces.
• Modern plastering relies on rationalized, cost-efficient processes for standardized elements.
• Existing construction robotics focus on automating standardized plastering, overlooking material plasticity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the design potential of robotic plaster spraying.
• To propose an adaptive, thin-layer vertical printing method for plasterwork.
• To introduce digital craft through additive manufacturing in construction.

Main Methods:

• Developed a digitally controlled process for spraying thin layers of plaster onto vertical surfaces.
• Employed an adaptive, thin-layer vertical printing method without formwork or support structures.
• Conducted systematic studies with physical testing and data collection for material behavior analysis.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the creation of volumetric formations and patterns on building surfaces.
• Enabled the development of methods to predict and visualize complex plaster material behavior.
• Explored the potential for designing with plaster's inherent plasticity in digital tools.

Conclusions:

• Robotic plaster spraying offers new design possibilities for building surfaces.
• Additive manufacturing via thin-layer vertical printing can foster digital craft in construction.
• Further research can enable digital design tools that leverage plaster's plasticity.