Robotics-Based Prefabrication in Architecture

Abstract

Existing methods for the production and installation of free-form ceiling structures were not suitable with respect to construction cost and time period that were assigned to a Shinsa-town project. Hence, we selected the Robotic-based Digital Fabrication Method that was being tested at that time. Considering the construction cost and period, we selected expandable polystyrene (EPS) as the material of the ceiling structure, and we developed and utilized BAT (a Grasshopper plug-in), to process the work as a free-form production method. We also invented a new cutting method to implement the specific types of components that were otherwise unlikely to be implemented due to the limitation of the straight hot-wire. This paper describes a transport system for the components of the framework, and a robotics-based on-site installation method that is required for the utilization of a robot in the fabrication of these structures.