Robotics Lab is a place for creative exploration and practical realization of advanced digital fabrication methods. We work to foster an environment of curious exploration and offer a wide array of tools and support for

School of Architecture students, faculty, and staff to realize their creative interests

. Using Kuka Kr60 industrial robot arms and a DKP400 two-axis positioner, the robotics lab is equipped

to allow engaged participants to prototype tools and undertake a variety of tasks

using 7 axes.

Image ModifiedImage Modified

Image ModifiedImage Modified

What We Do

At the UT Robotics Lab, through our continuous research into robotics and design, we have developed various custom tools and work-flows using a variety of scripting languages such as Grasshopper, Python, VBA, C# and others

. Students and faculty are encouraged to get certified and join us in using the following processes (or developing new ones!):

• Drawing
• Extruding
• Dabbing
• Incremental Metal Forming

Currently, robots are programmed primarily using the KUKA PRC plugin for grasshopper to produce a set of toolpaths to follow. Each

of the pre-defined tasks above has its own

dedicated workspace which allows the KUKA PRC to translate virtual space in Rhino 3D to the real world setup. Instead of writing code, simple function-blocks are connected with each other and the results immediately visualized. This instantaneous feedback allows the

acceleration of the process from the programming environment to the robot, or from design to fabrication. Our

current KUKA PRC

scripts accept MESHES and LINES and can be used with some of the

end-of-arm tools we have

developed in-house. Some additional tools are available to all faculty and students with a minor lead time for tool changing and preparation:

• Heat gun forming

• Milling

• Gripper functions

The

robotic arm's versatility allows it to become a completely different tool using a simple change in the end-effector. Whether a tool is custom-designed or off-the-shelf, we have the capacity to do almost anything robots are capable of. Our research is aimed at blurring the line between robots and design, and the lab is at your disposal for your own projects toward those ends.

Image Modified    Image ModifiedImage Modified     

 Incremental Metal Forming         Heat Gun Forming                                           Rod Bending                                                      Wood Milling

Image ModifiedImage ModifiedImage Modified

 Exhibition (1)                                                                       Exhibition (2)                                                          Multilayered Pen Drawing