Hand-drawn digital fabrication: calibrating a visual communication method for robotic on-site fabrication.

Area of Science:

• Robotics
• Digital Fabrication
• Construction Technology

Background:

• The global construction industry suffers from low productivity, largely due to limited adoption of digital and automation technologies.
• A key barrier is the specialized skill set required for construction workers to operate digital fabrication systems.
• Traditional methods like 1:1 on-site drawings historically communicated complex construction information effectively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose an alternative approach for communicating digital information to fabrication machines in construction.
• To integrate historical drawing communication methods with modern robotic frameworks.
• To develop a system that simplifies the use of digital fabrication for construction workers.

Main Methods:

• Development of a parametric visual feedback method for robotic fabrication.
• Calibration process enabling detection of on-object hand-drawn markings by a robotic system.
• Utilizing an ABB IRB 120 robot arm for a 1:2 prototype fabrication.

Main Results:

• Successful demonstration of a robotic system that assigns digital information to detected hand-drawn markings.
• A functional 1:2 prototype fabricated using the developed robotic framework.
• Validation of the parametric visual feedback method for robotic fabrication.

Conclusions:

• The proposed method offers a more accessible way to communicate digital models to fabrication units, potentially increasing construction productivity.
• Amalgamating historical communication techniques with robotic frameworks can overcome skill-based barriers in digital fabrication.
• This approach paves the way for broader adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies in the construction industry.