An amazing new robotics research collaboration between a leading architecture practice and robotics researchers and technicians will be unveiled in Sydney this week.
Bligh Voller Nield (BVN) and a team from the University of Sydney’s Robotics Lab and Design, Modelling and Fabrication Lab led by Dr Dagmar Reinhardt, has developed a robotics inspired spiderweb to advance manufacturing in the building and construction industry.
As part of Sydney Design Festival 2018, they will host an Australian-first demonstration showing industrial robotic arms weaving a lightweight ‘spiderweb’ structure from super-strong carbon fibres.
The spiderwebs could eventually be used as building elements, such as a distribution system for data and light.
The team will explore some of the ways design practice and academia are working together to use industrial robotics to benefit architects and builders.
New concept of fabrication
The highlight of the presentation will be the development of the new, integrated ceiling structure that is a trailblazer for a new concept of fabrication.
The project is the result of intense co-design and collaboration process between the architecture practice Bligh Voller Nield (BVN) and University of Sydney team.
The talk will cover the project’s multiple criteria, from the development of workspace scenarios and conditions to new robotic applications and material practices.
It will present the stages of prototyping of geometrically complex, fiber-reinforced building elements as a distribution system for data and light, the structural performance, and the challenges of onsite live construction and testing environment of robotic manufacturing within the running architecture practice.
When: Friday, March 2, 4pm-9pm
Where: BVN, Level 11, 255 Pitt St, Sydney.
Tickets: Free with booking.
More information: https://sydneydesign.com.au/2018/event/robotic-weave-new-ceiling-structures/
The following day, following on from the presentation, the Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning’s Robotics Lab will conduct an Australian-first demonstration of the new technology.
Attendees can watch as industrial robotic arms weave a lightweight structure from lightweight and super-strong carbon fibres.
When: Saturday, March 3, 10am-5pm
Where: The University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning, 148 City Rd, Darlington. Map here.
Tickets: Free.
More information: https://sydneydesign.com.au/2018/event/strong-and-tough-weaving-a-robotic-spiderweb/
You can join the LinkedIn group to find out more about research and explorations using robots and digital fabrication in the Architecture and Construction industries: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/10361169
